The lastest and greatest VISION House project is currently being built in Tucson, Arizona and is set to open this fall.

With the groundbreaking ceremony for VISION House Tucson in our rearview mirrors we now look forward to the construction process and products that will help bring this demonstration home to a projected HERS rating of negative 17.

The lot was graded in early April followed by a visit from the surveyor who laid out the corners of the VISION House. The trenches have been dug, drainlines were installed, and the inspection should be completed this week.

  Photo credit: John Wesley Miller Companies

VISION House Tucson is being built in Armory Park del Sol, near the historic Armory Park neighborhood. We are excited to have a knowledgable team involved with this project who are all very familiar with green building and sustainable practices.

As always, we have some incredible National Sponsors including Boral (concrete tile roofing), Panasonic (ventilation fans), Johns Manville (insulation), Schneider Electric (electric vehicle charging station, solar inverters, home management system), MI Windows and Doors (windows), Kohler (kitchen and bath fixtures), Crossville (tile), Beam (central vacuum) and Vetrazzo (countertops).

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Quite a few people who visited the VISION House Los Angeles during the demonstration period asked about wall coverings. Whether it was the white backsplash in the kitchen, tiles on the shower walls or in the bathrooms or laundry areas people's reactions were really fun to watch.

Let's start with the most "shocking" element of all. The photo below by LathamArchitectural.com shows the powder room on the first level of the House.

Many visitors who walked into this bathroom would say, "I love this bathroom...except for the wallpaper." Well folks, it isn't wall paper. It's actually a decorative tile from Porcelanosa. One touch of the surface and people realized it was not wall paper!

Porcelanosa was used throughout the bathrooms in the shower areas and we can guarantee that if you think there's wall paper it's probably their product on the wall.

And then there's that white material in the kitchen. Probably one of the most touched surfaces in VISION House Los Angeles with its deep wavy ridges. That product is actually gypsum decorative tile from Textural Designs (shown below). Textural Designs tiles are 100 percent recyclable and contain no volatile organic compounds or other harmful materials. 

If you have any questions or comments regarding wall materials you can email us!

 Photo by LathamArchitectural.com

It's been over a year since the VISION House Los Angeles project first became an idea at PCBC in 2011 between Green Builder Media and Structure Home. And now, it's coming to a close as the demonstration period ends on August 10, 2012.

The project would not have been possible without all our wonderful local and National sponsors as well as all the behind-the-scenes individuals who made the VISION House what it is.

If you haven't already seen the gorgeous photography from LathamArchitectural.com you can check it out here. We'll have a great overall video of the project to be released soon as well completed by the talented Stephen Fell.

We had some fun events at the VISION House in the last 60 days as well. Behind-the-walls and Grand Opening events, DWELL on Design tours, open houses by Prudential Realty, many photo and video shoots, an educational event for Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine and a BIA public officials night to name a few. 

I'll have to admit some of the best times have also just been sitting around the house with visitors and friends chatting with the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open.The indoor/outdoor living spaces in this project are absolutely amazing. We've had so many people who visit the House say, "I feel like I'm at home in this place."

And I agree. VISION House Los Angeles exudes a sense of peaceful living in the middle of busy L.A. If you were able to make it to the House we hope you enjoyed your visit and we would love to hear your feedback. 

I am writing this blog sitting in the kitchen of VISION House Los Angeles. It is so peaceful in here at 7am (appropriate as it is located on Via de la Paz, or Path of Peace. Today is June 10, 2012 and in about 3 1/2 hours we open for the Grand Opening. 

I want to take a second to thank all the amazing people who have been involved in this project. The House turned out beautiful. Our builders, Structure Home, who work with such integrity and detail, the architects, designers, landscapers, investors, sponsors -both National and Local, all the people working on the systems and lighting in the House, the very patient neighbors, the community of Pacific Palisades who have shown such enthusiam for the project and to everyone who has had any hand in making this VISION House what it is - much gratitude and thanks to you all! - Heather Wallace, Director VISION House Projects for Green Builder Media.

Onto the final stretch...

#9. JM Spider custom insulation and JM Corbond MCS SPF were used to insulate VISION House Los Angeles. The Spider product is made of 75% fiber glass - a renewable resouce - and this particular fiber glass is formaldehyde-free which improves indoor air quality. The Corbond product is made of 13% pre- and post-consumer recycled content. It helps to increase energy efficiency.

 JM Corbond MCS SPF being installed in the attic at VISION House Los Angeles.

#8. Lighting. Kichler Lighting provided the majority of our lighting for VISION House Los Angeles. Both LED and Florescent lighting were used. Included are some beautiful lighted fans and pendants (shown in the kitchen below). The landscape lighting is so beautiful at night - lighting up all the lovely landscaping and water features.

 Photo by LathamArchitectural.com

#7. Cisco Brothers has furnished the House. And there are some really great pieces. Below is a photo of the drafting table that I think I NEED for myself. Additionally there are couches, structurally cool chairs, interesting side tables and much more.

#6. DuPont Zodiaq countertops. Between the appliances, water fixtures, cabinets and the countertops the kitchen in VISION House Los Angeles is pretty amazing looking. Using two colors in the kitchen Zodiaq is an extremely durable product and very easy to keep clean.

 Photo by LathamArchitectural.com

#5. Trane suite of products including the XLi15 air conditioner shown in the photo below. 

    Photo by LathamArchitectural.com

#4. Schlage handlesets. Most people don't think too much about the door handles they use everyday but it's amazing the different look an entire house can have by using one handle style over another. VISION House Los Angeles uses these lovely handlesets throughout the project.

 Photo by LathamArchitectural.com

#3. Scan and Hollywood Sequel carpeting by Bentley Prince Street. With a "Mission Zero" commitment to eliminate any negative impact their company may have on the environment by the year 2020 their products were a perfect fit for VISION House Los Angeles.

 Photo by LathamArchitectural.com 

#2. A healthy, energy-efficient environment. With a plethora of Energy-Star qualified products VISION House Los Angeles has achieved a variety of verification goals. 

#1. Every single person who contributed to this project. We could literally spend the next week naming off people who have helped with VISION House Los Angeles. First and foremost, the Structure Home staff deserves a huge thanks. Accounting, marketing, project managers, office assistants - you know who you are! We are so thankful for all of you! There are team members of all our sponsors who have helped in one way or another, reps who come out to the open houses, community members, council members, schools, teachers, laborers, landscapers, electricians, plumbers, truck drivers, cleaners, greeters...so many people to thank. But because of all of you and your hard work this project has been a success. From all of us at Green Builder Media we give you our most heartfelt thanks. 

 Photo by LathamArchitectural.com

We're excited to give you a peek at some of the plants and greenery that will be showcased in the landscape design at VISION House Los Angeles supplied by Monrovia. 

 Midnight Rose Coral Bells

 Maiden Grass

 The Ravers Cherry Frost African Daisy

 Orange Stalked Bulbine

 Tip Top Aeonium

 Purple Haze Summer Lilac

 Ghost Plant