Once upon a time there was a little blue shack on Beach Road. Famed television psychologist, the iconic Dr. Joyce Brothers, was the owner. Her daughter, Dr. Lisa Arbisser, spent many happy times vacationing with her family in the rustic blue beach house.

Not so long ago, Dr. Lisa and her husband, Dr. Amir Arbisser, took over the cherished site. The little blue shack came tumbling down, and plans were made to turn 644 Beach Road into an exciting, multi-story eco-friendly beach home that will encompass the leading technologies and solutions for energy efficient green home design.

There were many bumps in the road, all sorts of permits had to be obtained. The site is narrow, and three lots deep. The two front lots consist of dunes, and the Arbissers made the decision to donate those dunes to the Sarasota Conservation Foundation to assure that they would forever remain in their natural state.

They also made the decision to have a building designed which would raise the bar for responsible beachfront construction, and set a precedent as a high-end home that is built in a manner consistent with environmental conservation.

Well, raising-the-bar proved more complicated than first envisioned. The little blue shack was torn down, and the proposed home languished four years in the planning and permitting stages.

Now all that has been settled. The project is expected to be the first LEED certified home on Siesta Beach, and will include photo-voltaic solar power, vegetated/landscaped roof, native dune re-vegetation and drought tolerant native landscape requiring zero permanent irrigation, plus a highly insulated and energy-efficient building envelope, high efficiency air-conditioning, water reclamation, and many other cutting edge green/healthy materials, systems and designs.

Designed by Ron Sivitz of Sivitz Innovation Designs, MyGreenBuildings was selected by the Arbissers to be the builder.

On the 8th of August, Drs. Amir and Lisa Arbisser flew down from Davenport, Iowa, to take part in the ground breaking for their revolutionary new vacation home, which they will share with four children and one grandchild. It will take approximately another 15-16 months for the residence to be constructed.

Besides the Arbissers, designer Ron Sivitz was in attendance, along with Steve Ellis and Grant Castilow, the owners of MyGreenBuildings. Jim Padovano will be the project manager.

Many others had been involved: Tichenor Group Architects, Wilson Structural Consultants, a multitude of Sarasota County officials as well as state personnel. After Ron Sivitz obtained the first permitting, attorney Bill Merrill helped to get the second variance. Tim Rumage of Ringling College Environmental Studies will lend his expertise to the design of the proposed green roof. Jim Lass - who was best man at the Arbissers' wedding 32 years ago - serves as interior designer. (Jim is from Criteria Designs in Houston, Texas.) Donna Krabill of Selby Gardens and Wendy Cooper were there to cheer on the project. Matt Ross of Eco Smart was also in attendance: He gave the Arbisser's early advice on the creation of a "green home." Drew Smith of Two Trails Inc. will certify the home when it has been completed.

As the first spade of dirt was turned, one could feel the excitement. There was a tremendous sense of teamwork, for this ecological project had been a true group effort.

It is easy to understand why the Arbissers are so drawn to saving the planet through energy-efficient home design. They have made a lifetime commitment to enhancing sight. A graduate of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Dr. Amir Arbisser specializes in pediatric and comprehensive ophthalmology. A Princeton graduate, Dr. Lisa Brothers Arbisser teaches cataract and anterior segment ophthalmic surgery worldwide from her Quad Cities, Iowa and Illinois, practice. Together, she and her husband have founded the See Life Clearly Foundation to advance the quality and availability of eye care in their region.

More information can be found at MyGreenBuildings.com.