Going Green In Miami-Dade County

"Albert Harum-Alvarez, a software designer and consultant, grew up in Kendall and has spent years planning his home among the trees. Now under construction, it will catch the southeast breezes, use a geothermal pump for optional air conditioning, and employ a composting toilet system. Harum-Alvarez believes it's the greenest home in Miami-Dade County."

"Harum-Alvarez and his dancing teacher wife, Enid, wanted to save the site of the historically designated oldest house in Kendall, in which the family now is living. They also decided to build an energy-efficient Key-West style home that would face it across a walking and bike path that runs through the property but not have a larger footprint than the cottage's 1,100 square feet."

"Because he wanted to keep the property roadless, and because he is including some unusual features in the home, he has encountered some bumps along the permitting route. For example, the county insisted Harum-Alvarez built a standard septic system in case the composting toilets didn't work. Yet, Miami-Dade County will expedite permits for green buildings, which at least put him at the head of the line."