The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) says it is the first private-enterprise, new construction building to achieve Platinum rating in California, and San Diego?EUR??,,????'???s first Platinum-rated structure.

Of the approximately 680 LEED-NC (new construction) certified buildings in the world, only 28 have achieved Platinum certification.

Many of the Ranch House features are available as standard or options to the 2,500 homes under construction at Del Sur. Black Mountain Ranch LLC is the developer of the 1,800-acre Del Sur.

The design team included Fullerton Architects P.C., of Kalispell, Mont., Hernando Miranda of Soltierra, Inc. in San Diego (LEED consultant), and landscape architecture by Vita Planning & Landscape Architecture and Wimmer Yamada and Caughey.

Weather-based irrigation and the low-water plant palette should save more than one million gallons per year. A photovoltaic (solar) energy system provides about half the building?EUR??,,????'???s power, while natural lighting, EnergyStar appliances, and efficient ductwork save approximately 57 percent of energy annually. Wind credits offset the remainder of the energy use, making the Ranch House a ?EUR??,,????'??net-zero consumption facility.?EUR??,,????'??

Further, 89 percent of construction waste at the Ranch House was recycled or re-used on-site where possible.