Mirasol Residence
Kailua-Kona, HI
This LEED® for Homes Platinum-certified single-family custom home is located in the Hualalai Resort on Hawaii’s Kona-Kohala Coast
- FSC certified interior and exterior trim, doors, and windows
- Low VOC paints and sealers were used along with hard surface flooring throughout the home
- Extensive use of native and drought-tolerant landscaping and turf
- 10kw photovoltaic net metering system
Built in a tropical cooling-dominated climate, the Mirasol Residence was designed to reject solar heat gain using radiant barriers, stucco siding, a vented concrete tile roofing system, large overhangs and high performance glazing.
The project incorporated advanced framing techniques with 24″ O.C. framing, ladder blocking and two stud corners. To ensure comfort while also reducing energy consumption, energy efficient variable refrigerant flow air conditioning systems were installed along with a whole house dehumidification and air filtration system. Hawaii is a region where fossil fuels provide most of the utility generated electricity; and a 10kW photovoltaic net metering system was installed to offset fossil fuel derived electricity usage.
Environmentally preferable materials selections included FSC certified interior and exterior trim, doors and windows.
To ensure healthy indoor air quality, low VOC paints and sealers were used along with hard surface flooring throughout the home. Extensive use of native and drought tolerant landscaping and turf resulted in a 44% reduction in overall outdoor irrigation demand. In conjunction with a small building footprint to lot ratio, and permeable hardscapes, the site was engineered to handle 100% of the residence’s storm water runoff through the use of sumps and dry wells.
O’Brien360 was the LEED Homes Provider on this project. O’Brien360 was selected by the U.S. Green Building Council® based on demonstrated experience and expertise in supporting builders in the construction of high-performance, sustainable homes in our market. LEED for Homes Providers provide quality assurance oversight for each Green Rater. For Hawaiian residential projects, O’Brien360 works with LEED Homes Green Rater Alex Woodbury, of Woodbury Green Building Consultation.