This is an interesting idea, make a normal looking suburban home, and make it a Zero Carbon Home. Zero carbon homes are structures that attempt to reduce to 0 the amount of co2 it takes to run the home.
The Zero Carbon House is a low energy demonstration project to show how renewable energy can create a unique living experience on a remote island in a severe climate. A holistic approach has been taken to eliminating household carbon emissions that would normally result from heating and powering the home, running the family car and growing and transporting food.