Eco Factor: Sustainable mansion powered by solar energy.

Going green doesn’t always need you to go minimalist and start living in a home borrowed from the Stone Age. Frank McKinney has designed a new house in urban Florida for people with enormous pockets with a passion for the environment. The ocean-inspired mansion comes with features such as a glass water-floor, an arched aquarium wet bar, more than 150 feet of oceanfront property, 24-foot oceanfront sheeting water walls, nature-friendly hardwood floors and over 15,000 square-feet of living space.

The three-story mansion is certified to rigorous “green” standards as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council. Of course, the use of natural materials alone didn’t earn the house such green standards. The house is powered by 100% solar energy, which provides electricity for the energy-efficient appliances and A/C units incorporated in this house. Energy-efficient lighting cuts down consumption by as much as 70%. Inspired by oceans, the house is filled with water, which to some extent has its effects on the interior temperature, thereby reducing cooling needs.

Water harvesting systems collect runoff water and use it for landscaping and gardening. The use of reclaimed and renewable wood saves over 10.5 acres of rainforest. During construction over 340,000 pounds of trash was recycled and repurposed as construction material, which prevented it from reaching the landfill.

The Dark Side:

Apart from the $29 million price tag, the technologies used in the house are praiseworthy. But we still believe that going green at a low cost is a much better alternative.

Via: Uncrate426956