Million Dollar ecoMansion in Green Lake

Did you see the newest addition to the green housing fold? Located in Green Lake, the 3,300-square-foot van der Rohe–inspired home — collegiately referred to as “The Orchard” by builders Five Dot Design Build — is awash with eco-friendliness: from rainwater-fueled toilets to reclaimed fixtures and doors, The Orchard is packed to the green gills with the latest in earthy high-technology. (Oxymoron, perhaps?)

Apparently, this green giant, now on the market for $1,200,000, has been given four shining stars for its verdant construction by Built Green, a Seattle-based building program that quantifies environmentally friendly building practices for both remodels and new construction. (Read up on Built Green in Rick’s June exploration of the certification process.) But how “green” can it be? A sprawling manse on an equally sprawling lot — about 8,500 square feet, as a matter of fact? Sure, I understand that building a home out of a metric ton of recycled materials is better for the world than building one out of none, but what gives with the size? Heating more than 3,000 square feet of house, no matter the method (in this case, via radiant-heat floors) is still more resource intensive than heating a more modest, and perhaps even less green, home.

Built Green’s got a handful of properties scattered around the city, including Pb Elemental’s South Park Lofts (one left: a 1 bd/1 bath, 767-square-foot mod condo for $325,000) and the Trace Lofts, at the corner of 12th & Madison (this one’s no. 406, a 1 bd/1 bath, 789-square-footer for $495,000). Respect to those builders, who took eco-building to heart with their small, green spaces.

Now, if someone can convince me that eco = upwards of 3,000 square feet, come forth. I’m curious to hear from your camp.