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Long before green building practices became popular, Jim Schwartz built an energy-efficient geodesic home on a lakeside lot in Mendota Heights.

"I liked the look of the dome home, and the energy-savings was a plus," said Schwartz of the sphere-shaped wood structure he had constructed in 1984 and has been living in ever since.

A geodesic home has less surface area exposed to outdoor temperatures and thicker insulation than a traditional home. The result is lower heating and cooling costs. He also installed a solar panel system on the garage roof that helps heat the home's water and forced air from the furnace.

Schwartz even found a "green" location for his dome home -- on a small lake that bans motorized boating. "It's a perfect canoeing and kayaking lake," he said.

Other features:

• The dome home's 2,904 square feet include two bedrooms on the main level and two bedrooms on a walk-out lower level. There are also two bathrooms.

• A large loft that can be used as an office or exercise room overlooks the living room and kitchen area.

• Rustic tongue-and-groove cedar interior.

• Four skylights.

• A lakeside deck off the side of the house.

• A private lot, almost an acre in size.

David Moe of Remax Results has the listing; 612-790-8658.

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