Villa Design Is Health-Minded
It looks like an Old World Tuscan villa, but this innovative Brentwood Park house was built recently with the health-conscious in mind.
The house is purported to be free of formaldehyde, fiberglass, fumes, pollutant particulates, mold and other toxins.
All wood in the house is said to be free of bacteria that could grow inside walls. Wood flooring is finished with natural oils. Terra cotta floors are glazed to eliminate a need for synthetic sealers.
The separate, multi-zone mechanical systems have their own air filters. The electrical system is designed to minimize the presence of electromagnetic fields. Potable water is filtered for bathing and laundering as well as for drinking.
Toxic chemicals were avoided in finish and cabinetry materials. Natural surfaces were used in all walls, ceilings, floors, cabinets and countertops.
A raised foundation was designed to allow airflow beneath the house, preventing mold. A thick layer of plastic sheeting lies beneath the house to act as a barrier against termites. Even the landscaping used no chemicals or pesticides and was positioned to prevent moisture from hitting the foundation.
Designed by Richard Berliner, the house was built according to guidelines formulated by Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corp. and Mary Cordaro of H3Environmental, Los Angeles.
About the home: It was built in 1998 but is still ahead of its time in terms of environmental technology, so why is it on the market? The owners bought a Pacific Palisades home with more land and an ocean view. They plan to refurbish, using the same guidelines.
Asking price: $6.95 million.
Size: About 9,000 square feet on slightly more than half an acre. The home has a 1,500-square-foot master bedroom suite with dual closets, a mini-kitchen, a loft and an enclosed loggia. There are three family bedrooms, each with a full bathroom; a maid’s quarters with an entrance off the backyard, and a guest suite with a full kitchen over a three-car, attached garage.
Features: The estate has a two-story entry; a media room; a large office with its own bathroom; a mirrored gym; an outdoor patio with a fireplace; a professional sports court with lighting; a dog run; a large pool and a spa, which are covered and gated; and a fountain and a pond visible from the living room. A second-floor playroom off the family bedrooms overlooks the kitchen and the family room. The home, which is fully walled and gated, is also surrounded by towering, old-growth trees, which provide shelter and privacy.
Where: Brentwood Park.
Contact: James Respondek, DBL Estates, Santa Monica, (310) 260-8282, and Birgitte AA Michaelsen, Village Properties, Montecito, (805) 969-7978.
