We wrote over a year ago about the HGA House under its former moniker – the Dubin House (named for the owner-couple that rebuilt the house after its previous iteration was destroyed by fire in 2008). Earlier this month, USGBC announced that the house has been certified LEED Platinum by copping 104 total points under the LEED for Homes system (out of a total of 110 points; 90 are required for LEED Platinum).

As you may recall, the Hamptons Green Alliance ("HGA") teamed with the Dubins, architects Richard Stott and Calvin Lee, and general contractor Telemark to create a net zero energy, carbon neutral, LEED Platinum-certified house and demonstrate best green building practices in a part of Long Island that is fiercely devoted to protecting the immense beauty of its natural environment.

What's not small about the house is its size. Although encompassing 4800 square feet, the HGA House's carbon footprint is zero, at least according to the ICEMAN Carbon Factor Index, a program developed by contractor Telemark president Frank Dalene, who is also a founding member of the HGA itself. Mr. Dalene traveled to Norway back in November to discuss the project's integrated design and construction approach at the Zero Emissions Conference 2010 in Oslo.

While many – ourselves included – have scoffed at the idea that a house the size of the HGA House can really be sustainable, the project team incorporated a comprehensive set of green design features that should go a long way towards continuing to promote green building practices along Long Island's south shore, including a geothermal system, LED lighting throughout, a rainwater harvesting system, low-flow plumbing fixtures and dual flush toilets, Energy Star-rated appliances, solar panels and solar film, and a passive solar site orientation. The HGA House also boasts a HERS rating of 25 and is located at 37 Parkside Avenue in Southampton.