K+BB - December 2008 - (Page 60)

Green Bringing Sexy Back Tinseltown turns green and stays stylish What do actor Adrian Grenier, of the HBO series Entourage, and green design have in common? Both are popular, sexy and here to stay. Grenier, who is also a writer, director, musician and environmentalist, is the host of Planet Green’s new eco-lifestyle and makeover series, Alter Eco. In the series, Grenier and his entourage of green experts follow a wholehouse green remodel from start to ﬁnish, including work on the home’s earth-friendly kitchen. The multimillion-dollar 1920s Spanish Revival home that sits in the hills above Los Angeles is a project of eco-luxury homebuilder Byrd Development. Developer Richard Byrd stripped the house down to its original framing with the goal of achieving LEED Platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)--which it has. In addition to using green materials and energy-efficient systems throughout the house, the home’s kitchen features the latest in environmentally friendly design. Byrd wanted “something clean, modern and green—state of the art, from cabinetry to appliances,” said Kevin M. Henry, executive VP of marketing for Bazzèo, who designed the space. After searching for a kitchen design that met his requirements, Byrd chose Bazzèo by NYLOFT. “The ﬁrst time I saw the collection and learned about its green features, as well as its earth-friendly manufacturing, we knew it was the only choice for the project,” said Byrd. “We wanted something that was pushing the envelope of green design. It had to be very cool and very sexy and made of sustainable materials. The fact that it is made in the United States was a total bonus.” Intended to be party central, the kitchen is in a strategic location in the house with formal dining on one side and a transition to the backyard and patio on the other. “Designed for someone who entertains quite a bit, the island can seat a lot of people comfortably,” noted Henry. “Chefs can talk with guests easily. Plus, the space is designed to be used both as an everyday kitchen and when caterers come in for parties.” The back wall of the kitchen is arranged so that the right side mirrors the left, with identical refrigerators and ovens ﬂanking the central counter. “The unit on the right is for daily use, while the left is primarily for large-scale events or caterers,” said Henry. The cabinets, which cost about $60,000, feature a wheatboard core with reconstituted veneers in a black oak, nontoxic ﬁnish and are paired with aluminum bar pulls. “The idea behind the cabinetry was ‘green to the core,’” said Henry. “We are as close to 100 percent recycled or recyclable as you can be.” The units are made by a company whose kitchens not only utilize recycled and regenerated wood from certiﬁed resources, as well as nontoxic paints, laminates and lacquers, but are also free from heavy metals and low in emissions. In addition, the company is a member of the USGBC and has partnered with the Tree People tree bank to plant a tree in the name of each client. However, as Henry noted, the Alter Eco kitchen “is more than just the cabinetry.” It’s “a complete environment, so the kitchen not only presents the leading edge in green kitchen design, it showcases the future of home appliances.” To this end, the space is equipped with an induction cooktop, which uses less than 10 percent of the energy of a conventional gas or electric cooktop, and a side-opening convection oven, which is twice as fast as traditional radiant heat and is insulated so no heat is wasted. The kitchen also includes a dishwasher that uses sensors to adjust the amount of water and heat to the soil level of each load of dishes, and two fully integrated Energy Star-rated refrigerators. Other green details abound. For example, all of the countertops are made from petroleum-waste product, and all of the lighting is LEDbased. The terra-cotta ﬂoor is formed of recycled tiles, and the bar stools hail from a local green furniture manufacturer. The end result is a hip, contemporary kitchen that complements the 1920s home while bringing it into the 21st century. “It boils down to materials used, air quality and energy consumption,” said Henry. “A green kitchen does not have to affect lifestyle; it only enhances it.” s —Ellen Sturm Niz sources Designer: Kevin Henry—Bazzèo by NYLOFT, www.bazzeo.com Manufacturers: Cabinetry: Bazzèo by NYLOFT; Sink and faucet: Kohler; Countertops: DuPont Corian; Cooktop, oven, dishwasher and hood: Fagor; Refrigerator: Liebherr; Tile: Ann Sacks; Bar stools: Cisco Brothers; Lighting: Green Torch Photography: © Megan Henry 60 + K BB December 2008 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com http://www.bazzeo.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of K+BB - December 2008

K+BB - December 2008
Contents
Online Contents
Online News
Editorial
Dates
Focus
Trends
Product Innovator Awards
Products
Options
Profile
Abroad
Design
Linear Thinking
Miami Heat
Green
Access
Additions
Practice
Editorial Index
Ad Index
Favorites

K+BB - December 2008