Taking a little time to re-visit this Spanish-style residence built in Ramona, California – this 3,250 SF home was featured in San Diego Magazine’s “The Green Issue” in September of 2023.

Built with insulated composite concrete form (ICCF) walls, this home boasts excellent insulation and fire-resistant qualities. ICCF is created by mixing cement with Styrofoam and is ground into an aggregate, which makes the block fireproof and has a 4-hour fire rating, so it does not burn at an open flame (4,000 degrees!). This was an important factor for the owners because the original home on the site was lost to the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.

The interiors were beautifully designed by the owners, a mathematician and watercolor artist. The Fibonacci number math principle was incorporated into the design of the tiled vestibule floor located adjacent to the kitchen.

85% of the electrical needs are provided by the photovoltaic panels, addressing the owners’ goal of a net-zero energy home. Site orientation and the design maximized the home’s views and outdoor living areas such as the master bedroom’s private lounge on the south side, the dining area on the west side, a walled garden, an outdoor kitchen, a seating area off the great room, and a raised eastward-facing viewing deck above the garage.

Natural ventilation, passive heating and cooling, and low-water drought landscaping were other green building design methods utilized.

Thank you for going on this home tour with us! All photos were taken by Arnel Garcia. Check out our Green Building Design page for more information on techniques we utilize.