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Tonalacalli means house of sun and water in the Nahuatl language of Mexico. When PGE Professor Carlos Torres-Verdín and
Laurel Treviño built Tonalacalli, their home in southwest
Austin, they wanted a house that was energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The result was the first LEED
Platinum certified building in the city of Austin. Designed by architect LaVerne Williams of Houston, the house was featured
on the 2008 Austin Cool House Tour. Using local natural
materials wherever possible, the house includes stair railings that Carlos and Laurel cut from juniper trees themselves. It also
uses an energy efficient design as well solar panels to reduce reliance on outside energy sources.
Tonalacalli has no well or municipal water connection, but uses a 20,000 gallon rainwater harvesting system to provide all
water for the house and gardens. Congratulations on creating a uniquely personal and inspiring building.
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Torres-Verdín and Treviño's home Tonalacalli |
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