The residence at 43 Neron Place was designed by Concordia Architects to conform to the most current best practices in environmental and sustainable design. Building materials include ash based concrete, bamboo floors, recycled paper and cement countertops, hardi-plank wood fiber and cement siding, e-rate glass and double insulated windows and doors with integral blinds and other sustainable products. Landscaping will incorporate principles of permaculture design using all native plants.

Heating and cooling is provided through a hybrid of passive and active mechanical systems. The passive systems include day lighting provided by clerestory windows on the first and second floors. Overhanging “eyebows” and deep porches provide summer sun shading. Other passive systems include an extensive cross - ventilation system activated by a “vessica” shaped open stair at the center of the house. The stair opening creates a natural cooling "chimney" that channels the flow of air vertically through all three stories of the house to discharge through an attic fan and roof louver at the peak of the roof. Input is provided through 24 motorized vent windows in located in the clerestories and dormers on the third floor. The passive system will operate during hours when the external wet bulb temperature is within the comfort zone. During other times, heating and cooling will be powered by five 300 foot deep earth contact geo-thermal wells tied to a water source heat pump. The roof is reflective metal and steeply sloped (on the west and north), encouraging negative pressure across the louver and dormer windows (drawing air up through the house) and also (on the south and east) to increase the surface area for rain water collection and more than 700 square feet of photovoltaic and solar hot water panels, which will cover the full triangle of the roof facing south. A 1200 gallon wooden cistern tied to an integrated rooftop rain water collection system will provide water for toilets and irrigation.

The building is also a stylistic hybrid. Included in the design are elements of the neo-classical, local vernacular and modern architectural idioms. The first floor is mostly open, like a traditional Creole cottage with wide (10 and 12 feet deep) porches, both open and screened. The primary roof slope is derived from solar inclination. All rooms are proportioned using sacred geometries that include classical harmonic relationships of 4x4; 4x6; 3x4, etc. The dining room is a perfect circle. All of the rooms are consolidated within a central cube which has its primary elevation in the proportion in a golden rectangle. Both plans, elevations and sections of the cube are ordered by a rigid 4 foot module.

See the LEED scorecard here.

The new Stewards Cottage at A Studio in the Woods will serve as a model for future development on the Gulf Coast in both its conception and implementation. Designed to provide residence for an onsite caretaker for the 9 acre bottomland hardwood forest and artists’ retreat, the house will be a demonstration of sustainable principles put into practice in a beautiful but unforgiving environment.

The Holy Cross Project consists of 5 single-family homes, an 18-unit apartment building, and a community center/sustainable design and climate action center. As a landmark sustainable development, the Global Green Holy Cross Project is of vital importance to Global Green, the Holy Cross Neighborhood and the people of New Orleans.

With the first model home complete- the Global Green house is open as a visitor center for public tours. The house stands as an example of the finest of green building: net zero electricity, solar power, recycled wood, low VOC paints, and LEED Platinum certification anticipated in late 2008.