Friends of Reinhard Pollach and Janeann Pitz have called the couple urban pioneers for their efforts in renovating properties in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood during the past 13 years. On their most recent project, they thought outside the box while working inside a bungalow.

Most recently, the couple gutted an 1,100-square-foot bungalow with good bones that was built in the 1940s. Pollach, a German national who has lived and worked in Indianapolis since 1991, was determined to use a green approach on the project while maintaining the home's architectural character. He is an advocate of the three eco-friendly Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. He also taught classes in green marketing strategies during the early 1990s while employed at the University of Bayreuth, Germany.

So, the house received new, energy efficient windows, a light colored roof and a redesigned high efficiency heating and air-conditioning system that reduces its carbon footprint. The home also has a PEX plumbing manifold system which trims water and energy usage by linking every faucet directly to the water heater and water lines.

The existing hardwood floors were repaired and refinished using water-based products. The wooden doors were refinished and all door hardware was stripped. All the faceplates on the doors had been painted several times so they were boiled in water atop the stove. This is a green and effective way to remove paint from metal parts.

The greatest influence on a home's efficiency is determined by its orientation on the lot and location of windows. The house features a mostly southern exposure that makes the most of two advantages ---- passive solar heating and lots of sunlight.

During the summer, when the sun stands at a steep angle, the extra wide soffits block direct sunlight, keeping the home cooler. In winter, the 9 foot ceilings allow for passive heating as the sun passes below the soffits and through the windows.

In Mr. Pollach's native Germany, it is essential that a home's floor plan follow the sun. That means kitchen and breakfast areas have an eastern orientation while the living areas face south and west.

"This house certainly does it down to a "T," Mr. Pollach said enthusiastically.

In Meridian-Kessler, most homes have small bathrooms and closets. To turn those drawbacks into advantages, the couple converted the smallest bedroom into a comfortable bathroom and transformed an old bathroom into a walk-in closet.

Now, the home boasts a 10 by 9 feet IKEA bathroom with a large trough sink and vanity, a salt and pepper granite shower stall and an art deco pendant light that complements the green walls.

"Our goal was to renovate this bungalow in a responsible way with some innovative solutions while providing a high quality of life in this urban setting. I think we have accomplished this mission," Pollach said.