Wired Home

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 18, 2007) – LivingHomes in partnership with WIRED magazine is proud to announce construction on the first-ever WIRED LivingHome. This modern luxury residence will serve as an example of how people can effectively, balance green living with high technology and high design. The WIRED LivingHome will be open to the public for tours, sustainable programming and charity-driven events for three weeks in late fall 2007. The presenting sponsor of the showcase home is BMW CleanEnergy, who will be providing Hydrogen 7 vehicles for shuttles and test drive rides during the public tours. A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Global Green USA, a national leader fighting for solutions to global warming including green building, and Enterprise, the national leader in creating environmentally sustainable homes and communities for low-income people.

Located in an exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood, the 4,057 square foot WIRED LivingHome is designed to attain at least a Gold rating from the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Homes Program. Consistent with its focus on sustainable design, LivingHomes and WIRED are deconstructing rather than demolishing the property’s existing house, reducing the amount of building materials sent to landfill. Working with The Reuse People, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to keeping usable building materials out of landfills, interior materials will be sent to the Habitat for Humanity Store for re-use, while the framing is being transported to Mexico where it will be used for low-income construction. On average, a minimum of 75% of all materials will be reused and repurposed. Deconstruction is currently underway. Site work and manufacturing will commence concurrently, significantly reducing the amount of time necessary to complete the project. Installation is slated for August 2007 and only takes one day. Following the public tours in Fall 2007, the WIRED LivingHome will be placed on the market.

“We are honored to be working with WIRED on the next LivingHome,” said LivingHomes CEO and Founder Steve Glenn. “WIRED covers the future and the future of building is green. Their reputation for cutting-edge design and great editorial on technology and innovation make them the perfect partner to demonstrate the balance of form, function and sustainability. ”

“LivingHomes is the leader in green building and they include a level of technology in their homes that balance the environment, comfort, design and functionality.” said Jay Lauf, Publisher of WIRED magazine. “LivingHomes are ‘wired’ in their building practices and we’re excited to be a part of this project.”

SUSTAINABILITY
To meet the high standards set by the USGBC and to respond to the market’s appetite for healthy, sustainable living, the WIRED LivingHome is designed to attain at least a Gold LEED rating. The home’s anticipated energy use is 36% more efficient than a conventional residence of a similar size. Sustainable features include a 4-kilowatt SunPower solar power system, including high efficiency, all-black SunPower solar panels that generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional panels. The home will also feature a forced hot air radiant heating and cooling system; recycled glass bathroom countertops; Heath ceramic tile in the master bathroom; low-maintenance high-design ecological kitchen cabinetry by Valcucine; an environmentally friendly washer/dryer system that uses less water and energy by Bosch; waterefficient fixtures by TOTO; windows and doors constructed with recycled glass and aluminum by Fleetwood USA; reclaimed redwood by Pacific Heritage Wood who mills the material from old military barracks; FSC-certified exterior siding; tankless water heaters; LED lights that consume less energy than conventional light bulbs; and a carbon off-set for the first year of the home’s operation. Even the car is environmentally friendly. With a vehicle that emits essentially nothing but water vapor, BMW’s Hydrogen 7 is the first hydrogen-powered luxury performance sedan for everyday use. It will shuttle visitors to and from the WIRED LivingHome, and be available for test drives.

TECHNOLOGY
Sacrificing none of the comforts of modern living, WIRED is installing cutting-edge technology throughout the home with a focus on automation and simplicity. The home automation system provided by Control 4 will enable home theater control, smart lighting, temperature control and security to all work together through both in-home and over-the-web remote control technology. The first high-tech feature visitors will experience in the Home is the Panasonic BMET330 Iris Reader which uses biometric iris recognition technology to verify identity for entry. Several rooms will feature the innovative high design HP Touchsmart PC, which includes a 10″ touch screen and a wireless keyboard and mouse. The Home will also feature Moxi Multi-room HD DMR. This high-definition digital media recorder is the easiest, most intuitive way to find and enjoy favorite TV programs, music, photos, games and more on any TV. The game room will be supremely “tricked out” for the 21st century gamer with a range of gaming consoles, sound and special chairs to heighten the experience. The media room will serve as a home theater, featuring designer speakers, surround sound system, and a large flat screen TV. The home will also feature an array of innovative personal electronics, such as a wireless solar powered weather station, provided by Oregon Scientific.

DESIGN
Designed by the Founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-arc) and Southern California icon Ray Kappe, FAIA, the WIRED LivingHome is located in the Crestwood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, a protected modernist community of architecturally significant homes. It is seamlessly integrated into the hillside and naturally ascends the site. Priced at $300/sf, the house will feature five bedrooms that will be designed to serve as diverse living spaces for the showcase. Rooms include a high-tech hobby room/home office, a game room, and a kid’s room. With a sophisticated yet fun design aesthetic and the best in sustainable furnishings, the kid’s room, sponsored by Cookie magazine, will set the standard for conscious living for the next generation. The home will also feature a state-ofthe-art media room, four full bathrooms, a powder room, and an expansive outdoor living area. Upon entry into the house, visitors are welcomed by a voluminous two-story open interior atrium. From the entrance, hallways lead to the private living spaces on the first floor. Public living spaces, including the living room, dining room, and kitchen, are located on the second floor that is enveloped by a wraparound deck and offers direct access to the garden from the living room and kitchen. The home will feature high-end sustainable and modernist furnishings that demonstrate the highest level of design while still respecting the earth. Branch Home will supply accessories, such as kitchenware and bedding that are manufactured in the most environmentally-responsible way possible. Bean bag chairs made of space age rip-proof nylon by Sumo Lounge will work as comfortable and fun seating in the home. Framed mostly in glass, this modern dwelling effectively blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living space. The unique shape of the house also offers unobstructed views across the public spaces of the home, from the living room to the kitchen, creating an open and airy feel.

For more information and video of the deconstruction, please visit the WIRED LivingHome website http://www.wired.com/wiredlivinghome.

About LivingHomes
Founded by CEO Steve Glenn, LivingHomes (www.LivingHomes.net) is a premier developer of modern, prefab homes that combine world-class architecture with an unparalleled commitment to health and sustainable construction. All LivingHomes products are designed to achieve at least a LEED for Home “silver” accreditation and incorporate an environmental program that is among the most comprehensive of any production home. The model home recently achieved “platinum” certification, making it the first home in the nation to be certified platinum and only one of 20 platinum buildings in the nation. Designed by renowned architects and constructed using natural and non-toxic materials and systems, LivingHomes successfully marries style and substance.

About WIRED Magazine
Since 1993, WIRED Magazine has chronicled the people, companies, technologies and ideas that are transforming the world around us. Each month, WIRED delivers a glimpse into the future of business, science, entertainment, education, culture and politics. Under the leadership of editor in chief Chris Anderson, WIRED has been nominated for an unprecedented six consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, winning the industrys prestigious top prize in 2007 and 2005. WIRED Magazine and WIRED.com reach nearly 6 million readers per month.

Media Coverage:

Online:

Print: (Confirmed)

• Los Angeles Daily News
• Sustainable Industries Journal
• Hong Kong Reader
• Beautiful Homes

Broadcast Interest:

• Today Show
• Good Morning America
• Local Fox
• and MORE!