Amidst excitement on November 16, 2001, the City of Orlando announced the construction of the Orlando House. A progressive green building project that displays the latest environmental friendly/energy efficient building products and methods on the market today.  The primary goal of this project was to create a home that would be as beautiful as it is structurally sustainable. Melding the past with the future, the Orlando House is a two story residential structure that effectively combines traditional regional architecture with sustainable, energy efficient design.   

The Orlando House was open to the public March 15, 2003 for a full year and served as a Growing Green Educational Center. Recognizing diverse consumer needs, the green built home showcased an assortment of recycled and environmentally sound building materials, which perform well in the area’s semi-tropical climate. Information about energy wise and environmentally friendly products, practices and rebate programs was available to visitors. 

The Orlando House has received a number of environmental-related designations such as the highly acclaimed Energy Star and Florida Green Building Coalition Certifications. Energy Star is a government backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. A house with the Energy Star rating means the house operates  30% more efficient than a normal house built today. 

The Orlando House is one of six houses in the state of Florida awarded the Green Built Certification. Green standards include energy efficiency, healthy buildings, disaster mitigation, water efficiency, land use, transportation, landscaping and waste reduction (Florida Solar Energy Center).

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) has awarded the Orlando House with the Gold Ring Rating. A Gold Ring home is  designed and built according to OUC's energy and water efficiency standards which was achieved by using the latest environmental friendly/energy efficient building products and methods on the market today.