WHO: Nicole Goldman

WHERE: Woods Hole

Nicole Goldman When they moved into their Woods Hole home three years ago, Goldman, 50, and her husband, Jonathan, also 50, already had a head start on going green. The house came equipped with a solar-powered hot-water system, though that was in need of some improvement. With the help of an architect and contractor, the couple reorganized and refurbished the existing solar panels to take better advantage of the house's southern exposure. Then Goldman-who founded the "g" Green Design Center in Mashpee, a showroom where homeowners and contractors can learn about and buy green building products-replaced the garage with an artist's studio for Jonathan. The new space is heated by a radiant system that uses sun-warmed water from the roof to heat tubes embedded in the studio's concrete floor.
The couple's latest eco-friendly addition is a green roof on the deck adjacent to the master bedroom. Not only does it add a bit of visual interest to the home, it's also highly functional: The plants and soil on the roof absorb rainwater, thereby reducing the volume entering the town's storm drain system. To make the garden virtually maintenance-free, the designer planted succulents, which are low, fleshy plants that retain water to survive in arid conditions. The plants and soil act as an insulator, keeping the home's interior cool. "It's a way for us to contribute to the urban ecosystem while also conserving rainwater,' Goldman says.