LivingHomes Unveils the C6: The First Lower-Cost, Zero Energy, Zero Carbon, and LEED Platinum® Level Production Home

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LivingHomes®, a premier developer of modern, sustainably designed, prefabricated homes, announces the launch and national availability of the new LivingHome C6. The C6 is the first LivingHome that is affordably priced and comfortably sized for a small family or couple.

"It has always been our most important goal to develop an affordable LivingHome," said Steve Glenn, CEO of LivingHomes. "The C6 is not only our lowest cost LivingHome – it's half the cost of current models – but it's also the first to achieve our most important Z6 Environmental Goals, and, we believe it's the first production home to feature Cradle to Cradle® inspired materials and a LEED Platinum level environmental program. It's also the easiest and fastest LivingHome to build."

The C6 was designed as part of a new partnership with Make It Right, a nonprofit founded by Brad Pitt and renowned architect William McDonough to build 150 Cradle to Cradle inspired LEED Platinum homes in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, the neighborhood hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each C6 will help support the efforts of Make It Right.   

"We're excited to partner with LivingHomes to help make well-designed, sustainable houses more affordable and available in other parts of the country," said Tom Darden, Make It Right's Executive Director.

The C6, built by Cavco, a nationwide leader in the systems building of prefabricated homes, is available in most states for $179,000 ($145/sf). The C6 can be fully constructed in less than two months and installed on-site in one day. Consumers can get complete information about the C6 and create a Virtual LivingHome C6, with their choice of finishes and fixtures, at www.livinghomes.net.

Design Features

The C6 was designed by LivingHomes staff, and was inspired by the remarkable modern homes built by developer Joe Eichler throughout California in the 50s and 60s. Like many Eichler Homes, the C6 is organized around a courtyard that is accessible through a variety of openings and features an open floor plan that is ideal for outdoor/indoor lifestyles. Its size, 1,232 square feet, is well below the national average of 2,380 sf for new homes (NAHB, 2011).

The 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom LivingHome includes:

• Cork floors, wood ceiling, natural wood millwork and wood siding.
• Multiple sliding glass doors accessing the backyard and courtyard.
• Floor-to-ceiling glass, clerestory windows, light tubes, and transom windows.
• Ample storage, particularly in the kitchen.
• Full feature lighting control system, accessible from an iPhone.

Environmental Features

The C6 is the first Energy Star® certified production home with a LEED Platinum level environmental program and Cradle to Cradle inspired products. It is also the first LivingHome to achieve most of LivingHomes' Z6 Environmental Goals: Zero Energy, Zero Water, Zero Emissions, Zero Carbon, Zero Waste, and Zero Ignorance.

• Zero Energy:  Energy efficient lighting and appliances, smart heating/AC control system to reduce power usage, photovoltaics for more than 100% of power needs.
• Zero Carbon/Waste: Recycled materials & Cradle to Cradle inspired materials. Carbon off-set included in purchase price to counter energy used to create the home.
• Zero Water: Low flow water fixtures. Grey water ready system.
• Zero Emissions: No VOC paint. Formaldehyde-free millwork.
• Zero Ignorance: Real time feedback on energy usage.

The C6 features a new Cradle to Cradle inspired door handle designed by William McDonough and LivingHomes. "In so many ways I have been getting a handle on and finding large and small ways to open the door to the beneficial, 100% Cradle to Cradle future. Now, having worked with chemist Michael Braungart to make Cradle to Cradle Certification (CM) freely available to the public through the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, I am now also putting my hand and eye to designing products that inherently contain and render visible the surprise and delights of Cradle to Cradle design. Collaborating with LivingHomes on this little piece of jewelry has been a joy," said William McDonough.

C6 Show Homes Open to the Public

Two C6 show homes, sponsored by The Home Depot, are on display now, and open to the public for tours.

In Long Beach, California, The Home Depot LivingHome C6, decorated by Curated!, is on display from February 18 to 25 at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, which is the site of the upcoming TED 2012 Conference. For more information please visit:  www.livinghomes.net/C6.

The other Home Depot LivingHome C6 show home, decorated by interior designer Jamie Bush, is on display as part of Modernism Week, the celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture and culture, in Palm Springs, California, from February 17 to 26. For more information please visit:  www.modernismweek.com.

About LivingHomes

LivingHomes, founded in 2006, is a premier developer of modern, prefabricated homes that combine world class architecture with an unparalleled commitment to healthy and sustainable construction.  LivingHomes offers two lines of single and multi-family designs by Ray Kappe, FAIA, the founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and by Kieran Timberlake, an AIA Firm of the Year, in addition to the newly launched C6. The first LivingHome, designed by Ray Kappe, was the first in the U.S. to achieve LEED Platinum. Green Builder Magazine selected the second as the Green Home of the Year. Nine LivingHomes are certified LEED Platinum, making the company one of the most experienced sustainable homebuilders. LivingHomes are available in standard or customized configurations to builders, developers, and individuals across the nation. www.LivingHomes.net

About Make It Right.

Co-founded by Brad Pitt and William McDonough with Cherokee Gives Back and Graft, Make It Right builds safe, sustainable and affordable homes for families in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward, the neighborhood hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Make It Right also works with local groups in Newark, NJ and Kansas City, MO to provide sustainable housing for disabled veterans and disadvantaged communities. http://www.makeitrightnola.org/

About Cavco

For more information visit: www.cavco.com.

About Palm Springs Modernism Week

For more information and full schedule of events visit: www.modernismweek.com.

About The Home Depot

Learn more about LEED for Homes products sold at The Home Depot by visiting www.leed.homedepot.com.

PHOTOS: www.flickr.com/photos/livinghomes/

SOURCE LivingHomes