Bogenberger-Swift Residence

This rural home near Ojai with its mass walls made of wood fiber insulated concrete forms and all steel roof construction is about as environment-friendly as it gets. A few additional features are, a photo voltaic system that is integrated into the metal roof the home generates all of the electricity needs; The swimming pool doubles as a fire water storage tank that utilizes ozone rather than chlorine; The exterior and interior walls use lime-based plaster that allow the building to "breathe"; all of the interior finishes are from sustainable sources with a large portion from recycled materials. The owners, both biologists, have converted the surrounding landscape into a botanical garden. Perhaps the most compelling features of the project are its lack of maintenance and its expected permanence. Photography by: James Scolari