Sustainability
Davida Rochlin pursued her architectural undergraduate and graduate education at the University of California, Berkeley. The School of Architecture provided a visionary program that emphasized ecological and environmental design. Her pioneering Masters thesis, The American Porch, brought new attention to an overlooked and
under appreciated design element that has endured as a social and cultural icon, and as a passive solar design. Her work grew into a nationally recognized exhibition entitled “The Front Porch” at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, California. Throughout her architectural career, Ms. Rochlin has strived to create sustainable and energy efficient homes. Her residential projects achieve high design with low impact.
Davida Rochlin, AIA, LEED AP Homes is a member of the United States Green Building Council and the
International Living Future Institute.
Selected Sustainable Projects include:
Zero Carbon Emissions, All Electric, New Two Unit Residential Building,
San Francisco, California
To reduce carbon emissions, unique sustainable features of this project include the exclusive use of all electric appliances, water heater and HVAC. In addition, a two-bicycle storage unit substitutes for a two-car garage that encourages non-vehicular transportation.
Eco-friendly home features include Energy Efficient windows, LED recessed lighting, low flow fixtures and faucets, Energy Star appliances, locally sourced cabinets and tile, and recycled quartz stone countertops.
Net Zero, Sustainable New Single Family Residence with Attached ADU and Water-Wise Garden,
Santa Monica, California
This home achieves Net Zero energy with West facing Solar Panels on the roof combined with a mini-split HVAC system. State of the art sustainable practices include No VOC paint, FSC certified wood floors, high efficiency water heater, Energy Star appliances, LED recessed lighting, water-sense kitchen and bathroom faucets, low-flow toilets, and denim insulation. The Owners elected to add Tesla batteries to their home in case of emergency black outs. The California water-wise garden with Mexican Sage and Native grasses were planted in the front yard setback to disguise a sloped ramp that provides accessibility to the residence from the street. The drought tolerant garden with underground rainwater collection system decreases water usage.
Net Zero, LEED Gold Single Family Residence with Attached ADU and Native, Drought-Tolerant Garden,
Upper Santa Monica Canyon, California
This home makes more energy than it uses. This is achieved with solar and thermal rooftop panels combined with radiant heating and a high efficiency boiler. Sustainable materials include FSC wood floors, recessed LED lighting, formaldehyde-free soy based plywood cabinets, recycled quartz stone countertops, 58.6% pre-consumer recycled content bathroom tile, low flow fixtures and faucets and Energy Star appliances. As stewards of the environment, the Owners bargain sold a portion of their property to a local non-profit that agreed to preserve open space by creating a Meditation Garden.
Urban Sustainable Home and Garden,
Los Angeles, California
Exhibited at LA Archive Gallery,
Los Angeles, California
Metropolitan Home of the Year - Honorable Mention
Recognized as a sustainable, healthy home featuring natural ventilation, aircrete insulation, baseboard radiant heat, hepa filter ceiling fans, no air conditioning, low VOC paint and reclaimed wood floors.
Sea Level Beach House,
Malibu, California
The California Coastal Commission praised Sea Level House for its sensitive site design.
The design includes a certified NABA Monarch Butterfly Garden in a designated Monarch Butterfly habitat.
Sustainable Strategies include:
Previously Developed Site, StormWater Pollution Prevention Plan, Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, Minimal Grading, Friction Piles to Avoid Site Disruption, Developmental Footprint .25% of Lot Size, Monarch Butterfly Drought Tolerant Garden, Water Efficient Irrigation, Pervious Paving, Landscape Mesh with Planted Seed to Protect Existing Slope, New Storm Drain to Reduce Future Erosion, Swale for StormWater RunOff Control, Rain Chain, Energy Star Standing Seam Metal Roof SRI 63, Minimal External Lighting to Protect Nocturnal Environments, 85% Compact Fluorescent Lighting, Landscape Drip System to Reduce Water Consumption, 94% Efficient Combination Tankless Water Heater/Boiler to Reduce Water Consumption, Baseboard Radiant Heat, Commissioning of Water Heater/Boiler/Radiant Heat Systems, Onsite Tertiary Wastewater System, Low Flush Toilets, Low Flow Showerheads, Energy Star Appliances, Passive Energy Design including Entry Porch and Dogtrot Breezeway, Natural Cross Ventilation, No Air Conditioning, Dual Glazed Transom Windows with UV Rated Blinds, Gas Fueled Fireplace To Avoid Smoke Induced Impacts, Energy Star Appliances, Storage & Collection of Recyclables, Construction Waste Recycled, FSC Certified Wood Floors, No VOC Paints and Stains, and Cabinets Manufactured Regionally.