Earlier this year, I was in California with my family attending a solar conference and we had the opportunity to take a tour of the Black Mountain Ranch community about 40 minutes outside of San Diego. Among the many awards the community’s garnered, it was the 2008 NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Green Building Award Winner for Development of the Year.

The flagship building is the Ranch House welcome center located at the entrance of this gorgeous neighborhood. The Ranch House is a certified Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building and a net-zero energy consumption facility, thanks to a combination of a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system, EnergyStar appliances, efficient ductwork, and the use of wind credits to offset any remaining energy use. Might sound like it could be an architectural step-child, but the design itself was extremely appealing, as you can see in the photos.

The products and techniques showcased in the Ranch House were just downright cool. For example, the permeable concrete driveway provides groundwater filtration and meets storm-water management requirements. Why wouldn’t we use this in Maryland on our next waterfront project where storm-water issues are crucial? And the Ranch House’s insulation? Recycled blue jeans! Countertops? Sunflower husks! Other aspects are more common, but were used beautifully, like cork flooring and exposed salvaged timber beams.

The landscaping in the entire community is striking as well and runs on a weather-based satellite irrigation system, although most plantings were native to the area and draught-resistant. At the end of the tour, the group spent about an hour outside the Ranch House, enjoying the breathtaking scenery and admiring the ultra-sleek solar panels that were completely integrated into the tiled roof!

If you’re in the San Diego area, I’d strongly recommend stopping by the Black Mountain Ranch community and the welcome center in particular. It’s a groundbreaking community in many ways and very inspirational to anyone interested in green building technology. Complete information including directions are available here: http://www.blackmountainranch.com/.