How Green is Their Mansion?

Think about your home. While we may try to live environmentally conscious lives, if you could have it any way, would your home meet your eco-standards? For most of us, from better insulation to reduced electricity usage, greener ways to run our houses certainly exist. This problem was the inspiration for what is known as the “EcoManor” in Atlanta, Georgia. Built and designed especially for Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of famed billionaire Ted Turner, and her husband, Rutherford Seydel, EcoManor sets the bar for environmentally conscious houses. The Story The Seydels were both environmental activists in the Atlanta area. They each served on the board of or worked with several Georgia non-profits and together they founded a non-profit for preservation of the Chattahoochee River. While living the green professional life, they wanted to extend their environmental devotion to their personal lifestyles. Thus, when the idea for a green home was first conceived in 1994, the environmental impact of their house was crucial. Once LEED certification, a national rating system for the environmental efficiency of new buildings, was introduced, the Seydels had a set of standards on which to base their new green home. This means that the EcoManor and other LEED certified buildings must achieve efficiency in design, materials, reduction of waste, water use, and energy use, as well as promote the comfort and benefits of a green building. While LEED certification, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, is usually sought out for new office or educational buildings, some private residences such as the Seydels’ are now being designed with LEED recognition in mind. The Advantages In addition to being LEED certified, there are several other things about the EcoManor that make it a special and worthwhile home. Included in the very long list of “EcoManor Facts” are a few luxurious gems:

• Skylights, which help provide natural light and thus save energy
• Dimmable compact florescent light bulbs, which provide all the illumination for a fraction of the energy used by incandescent light bulbs
• Wooden floors, which are made from locally grown, environmentally certified trees
• Recycled furniture, which when reupholstered in natural fibers are given a second chic life

Their Advice for You On the EcoManor website, the Seydels have compiled a list of eco-living tips ranging from simple ways to check your house for maximum efficiency to green landscaping and architecture recommendations. They advice you to pay attention to the environmental impacts of your home from the very beginning. No matter what your living situation is, there is a lesson to be learned from the Seydels and their EcoManor: living in luxury can also be living green. Image Credits: EcoManor

Luxury Condo + Green Technology + NY = Riverhouse

A geothermal system heats and cools the building. High-efficiency hot water heaters. An onsite escape called the Treehouse Getaway. Situated in Battery Park City, the 264-unit condominium called the Riverhouse offers an array of cutting edge amenities and green technology features. You certainly won't be disappointed if you've chosen this luxury condo as your green sanctuary. Just ask celebrities, like Leonardo Di Caprio, who have already claimed a sustainable space to call their own. From very start of the building process to the extravagant amenities afforded to residents, the Riverhouse certainly makes it much harder to leave the comforts of your home. Just some of the features of the Riverhouse to consider when shopping for a luxury condo in the New York City region, include: Eco-Friendly Building Process: Built from non-pollutant materials and relying on solar-powered energy, the Riverhouse also supported local products to decrease fuel consumption. Photovoltaic Cells: Following the Sun's path as it travels across the sky, photovoltaic cells supply electricity to the elevators and utilities of the Riverhouse. Water Recycling: Separate plumbing lines makes the most out of the condo's water use. "Gray water" (from baths, showers and kitchens) is reused in the gardens. "Black water" is treated and then recycled. Triple-Pane Window System: An all-weather dream, the space between the innermost and middle panes provides vented cool air circulation during warm days. To prepare for a winter in New York, the vent closes and the space between the panes serve as an additional thermal barrier against cold air. Putting Greenery to Good Use: Plants decorate the roof of the condominium, in an effort to naturally reduce the temperature of the building and place less stress on the city's sewer system by capturing rainwater and putting it to good use. Hanging Out: The Billiards Room allows friendly games between residents to take place. Shoot a little 8-Ball or challenge your neighbor to a chess match – all while surrounded by gorgeous, spacious views. Indoor 50' Lap Pool: Enjoy less-irritating waters. With ultraviolet light killing bacteria, the Riverhouse has reduced its need to use harsh chemicals, like chlorine. 5 Things to Do at the Riverhouse The Riverhouse makes it convenient for busy, on-the-go New Yorkers to find time to accomplish a range of activities without ever having to travel across town or step outside the coziness of their residence.

• Check your email at the media café
• Sculpt rock-hard abs at the fitness center
• Center yourself at the yoga studio
• Pamper resident pooches at the dog spa
• Let the kids burn off excess energy at the children's playroom

Average Price: One-bedroom ($835,000) Five-bedroom ($8 million) Image Credits: The Riverhouse