Mar 11 2009
The ‘Green Monster’ in West Palm Beach County Florida
Is it possible to use the word ‘green’ and ‘mansion’ in the same sentence? Frank McKinney thinks it is!
McKinney, the builder of the 15,071 square foot Acqua Liana that rests on the ocean front of West Palm Beach county in Florida, has received a certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Florida Green Building Council and Energy Star for Homes!
The Acqua Liana, whose name is Tahitian and Fijian for “water flower” was constructed by reclaimed wood, as to not take from the precious rain forests that are already being stripped of their natural resources. All the trash and debris that was used during construction was either recycled or re-used on site, to lessen the amount of waste produced during the process. Between the solar panels, energy efficient appliances and the reduced lighting, the energy that will be stored and saved are enough to run the entire home. The landscaping of the mansion is entirely surrounded by enough ponds, water gardens and trees to not only lower the temperature of the home itself; but the neighbor’s will benefit as well. Combine these ‘green’ perks with a water system that collects enough runoff water to fill a swimming pool every two weeks and then uses the run-off water to fill the garden and the irrigation system; and you have created the ‘green monster’!
I’m not sure if this ’sign of the times’ home is a step in the right direction or not! The thought that this $2.9 million home was built as a sign of the green revolution in exchange for the natural resources that were destroyed to build this monstrosity, is contradictory, in my opinion. While it is indeed awe inspiring what can be done with the right amount of money, is that all that this home was built for? A way to tell your wealthy neighbor, “Look what I’m doing for the environment!”, for no other purpose than because it’s the ‘in’ thing to do?
Will the new owners of this ‘green mansion’ live a green lifestyle? Will they understand the concepts of what recycling, conserving and self-sustainability mean to our rapidly depleting resources? I suppose only time will tell…this green home can only be as green as the new homeowners choose for it to be…
~Wind
That was a lot of money for a home, and you brought up some thoughts provoking questions…
It amazes me as well, that a home that costs so much money, takes up a huge amount of space and depletes the oceanside of it’s natural resources can be considered ‘green’!
Kinda eerie!
~Wind