Malibu Condominium

This luxury residential building is proposed along the Pacific Coast Highway and features native plant landscapes, graywater re-use, rainwater harvesting, and a living roof. Project completion date is estimated for 2011.

“images courtesy of Caesar Pelli Associates”

Malibu Residence

In order to achieve the project goal of net zero water use for irrigation, an integrated water management strategy for this 16,000 sq. ft. estate was developed. The initial demand is minimized by site appropriate plant species and a highly efficient irrigation system. All site and building wastewater with the potential for reuse is collected and treated. This includes rainwater that falls onto roofs and decks, site stormwater and graywater from sinks, showers and laundry. Below ground storage provides adequate water volume required to meet the site’s irrigation demand even during the summer’s driest months. These strategies result in projected overall water savings of 150,000 gallons a year.

Bancroft Hotel

This landscape and integrated water management design are part of renovations occurring on this historic hotel adjacent to the UC Berkeley campus. Through a partnership with the UC Botanical Garden, site-specific native plants have been selected to replace exotic plant material and showcase the potential for native species in an ornamental setting. A proposed graywater system treats wastewater from laundry services for reuse in irrigation. Rainwater will be collected in rain barrels located throughout the site, creating an interesting visual component and providing transparency for the ecological design elements of the project.

Mill Rise

This residential estate features a living swimming pool, rainwater harvesting, and graywater reuse. These systems operate on demand by electronic controls, and utilize an automated backup supplyof city water when site water is unavailable or the system is under maintenance. The living pool features a wetland filtration system that maintains water quality. The graywater system collects all wastewater from sinks, baths, and laundry. Water is treated to provide primary supply for irrigation and toilet flushing. Rainwater is captured in a 20,000gallon tank and stored as a backup when graywater is insufficient. Cross connected municipal supply acts as a final backup when site water has been depleted.

110 The Embarcadero

This glass curtain wall office building designed by Caesar Pelli is proposed one block from San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Working with the architect and building engineers, the vegetated “second skin” is designed to shade the building and create a layer of cool air to reduce air conditioning needs. The planters also capture storm water from roof and facade, delivering filtered rain water to basement tanks for use in toilets and for wash water. In summer, the facade plantings are irrigated with graywater to maximize cooling effect without the use of potable water. Wall plantings provide habitat for 7 specific species of native hummingbird and butterfly.