This Earth Day, we’re spotlighting exceptional listings around the world that prove high-performance living and environmental stewardship are not just compatible, they’re inseparable. From passive-house construction on the shores of Long Island to a wind-turbine-powered estate in the Rockies, the homes in this collection represent a new standard: properties that beautifully balance intention and high style.
NEW YORK
HUNTINGTON BAY
Photo: James Calandrino, Photografik Studio
Overlooking 55 feet of private beachfront on Huntington Bay, this fully electric coastal residence, represented by Juan Guillermo Roa and Alexa Starr, was meticulously renovated in 2020 with passive house principles at its core. The result is a home that draws its energy from the sun, breathes through high-performance materials, and asks nothing of oil or gas.
CALIFORNIA
WEST HILLS
Photo: Real Estate Photo Shoot Inc.
In the West Hills neighborhood of SoCal’s San Fernando Valley, this thoughtfully upgraded home, represented by Nikki Abish, makes a serious commitment to clean energy. With more than 50 solar panels (owned outright, not leased) powering the property, 2 EV chargers, synthetic grass to save water, and dual-pane doors and windows to save energy—this home is built for energy independence without compromising comfort or style.
SAN DIEGO
Perched high on Alta Loma Drive in eastern San Diego County, The Boulder House is a forward-thinking green home by Hubbell & Hubbell, the acclaimed father-and-son team of artist James Hubbell and architect Drew Hubbell. Represented by Jeannine Savory and Hayden Johnson, the home is built around a 14-foot natural boulder, a dramatic centerpiece in the great room that cools and humidifies in summer and radiates warmth in winter. Recognized with architectural honors and featured in multiple publications, this residence stands as both a work of art and a pioneering model of sustainable living.
CARMEL VALLEY
Photo: Wayne Capili, Interface Visual
Set on 2.61 private acres with sweeping mountain and valley views, this updated four-bedroom residence in Carmel Valley blends luxury living with a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship. Represented by Katherine Hudson and located within a designated Firewise Community, the home meets a higher standard of land management and wildfire resilience, a distinction that matters deeply in California’s evolving climate landscape.
COSTA RICA
GUANACASTE
Photo: Dwight Avaloz
On Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, within the serene Rancho Agua Dulce equestrian community, The Agency’s Mitzam Fontiveros presents Casa Cana Dulce, an architectural statement rooted in environmental intention. We’re talking about the conscious use of natural, locally-sourced materials, a low-impact community setting, and a passive cooling system that ensures year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact. Designed by Octavio Van Praag of Praag Architecture Studio, every element of this residence, from its handcrafted bamboo ceilings to truly seamless indoor-outdoor living, reflects a deep respect for the land it inhabits.
COLORADO
LAFAYETTE
Photo: JUST PENDED Denver Real Estate Media
Built in 2023 within Boulder County’s first master-planned net-zero energy neighborhood, 861 Furrow Way is sustainability at the community scale. The Silo community was designed from the ground up to produce as much energy as it consumes, and this contemporary floor plan delivers on that promise with solar power, and high-efficiency systems. Represented by Kim Payes, the home is within easy access to Boulder, Denver, and countless outdoor adventures right outside the door.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
Photo: Dan Tullos, Mountain Home Photography
Represented by Chris Paoli and Kenny Reisman, this 6,860-square-foot estate exceeds expectations in energy independence. Perched on nearly 8 acres above the South Valley with 360-degree views from the Steamboat Ski Area to the Flat Tops, this property offers a rare trifecta of geothermal, solar, and wind power, making the home as self-sufficient as it is spectacular.
PORTUGAL
RIA DE AVEIRO
Photo: Igor Duarte
On the edge of the Ria de Aveiro, one of Portugal’s most breathtaking natural lagoons, Eco House Camp is a 10-room hotel-residence that treats sustainability as an art form. Represented by Teresa Guégués and Amanda Vieira, the home was nominated for the National Tourism Award in Sustainable and Authentic Tourism in 2023, where upcycled design, geothermal energy, and the rhythms of the natural world converge.
OREGON
Photo: Justin Jones, Jones Media Shop
Built in 2001 as part of the Street of Dreams, this 4,600-square-foot Oregon home was ahead of its time, and the numbers prove it. Represented by Dirk Hmura and Nicole Jochum, the property earned a perfect 10/10 Home Energy Score, a rating almost unheard of for a home of this scale. Most homes this size score far lower; a 10 is typically reserved for compact new construction. The secret is in the bones: ICF construction, radiant heat, and solar panels work together to deliver exceptional performance at every square foot.
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