Green may not be the color that comes to mind when one thinks of multifamily housing in the desert, but award-winning architect David Hovey Jr. is changing all that with 7180 tower at Optima Kierland, one of four buildings.

Designed using the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), the development brings nature inside via high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces with views of the McDowell Mountains and Pinnacle Peak. Designer screen shades and high-efficiency dual-pane glass help keep residences cool. Lush, hanging gardens and private terraces hint at the rooftop garden above, which boasts a sky deck with a running/walking track that is part of the lavish amenities throughout the property.