"Reducing Carbon Footprint: How a Cape Cod Home Sets an Example"
Michael and Jennifer Monteiro, a Massachusetts couple, decided to build a sustainable beach house on Cape Cod, using cutting-edge green technologies. They demolished their existing house and hired architects to design a modern, sustainable structure disguised as a traditional shingled cottage. The new 6,000-square-foot house has a small carbon footprint, with features such as hemp-based insulation, recycled foamed-glass aggregate, locally harvested black locust decking, and electric air-source heat pumps for heating and cooling. The house is largely self-sufficient, with a solar array on the roof generating as much energy as it uses. The couple also furnished the home with renewable, natural materials and worked with local manufacturers and craftspeople. They hope their example will inspire others to consider sustainable building practices.
