Green and sustainable architecture describes economical, low-energy green homes, built with environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials. The architecture optimizes the use of passive solar heatign and cooling. Green architecture also minimizes the disturbance of the soil and destruction of existing plants and natural water drainage both during the construction, as well as when the home is finished.
Green homes can look just like any other home, or they can look totally unique and different, as shown below:
Traditional Green Home in Minnesota
(credit:Town & Country Homes)
Owner-designed passive solar energy home in Aspen, CO. This home gets 90% of its heating requirement from solar energy.
(credit: Donald Aitken)
These houses generally incorporate passive solar energy features and alternative energy sources, such as photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, wind power, wood heat.
Water saving features and an environmentally conscious landscaping design are also a vital part of green architecture.
Green home building does not only apply to new construction. A green architect or builder will be able to help you:
- Build a new green and sustainable home
- Renovate an existing house and make it green
- Add a green addition
Architects and builders who specialize in green and sustainable construction collaborate closely with the home owners and the other building trades involved in the construction of a green home.
These can include the real estate agent, general contractor, HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors and, the green landscaping contractor, depending on the complexity of your project.
Together, the owner, architect, builder and contractors form a team. They work closely together in a wholistic approach, since each aspect of an eco-friendly home is interdependent with the others, such as:
- Site selection, location and orientation of the home on the site, are determining factors in how much passive and/or active solar energy can be utilized for the green home.
- The layout of an eco-friendly home will need to be optimized to incorporate as many green and sustainable features as possible, as well as make allowances for the needs and requirements of the future homeowners.
- The insulating value of the building envelope, (walls, roof, windows and floors) is directly related to how much energy will be required to heat and cool the home.
- Eco-friendly materials used for interior finishes, carpeting, flooring and built-in cabinets will possibly look and feel different than what the home owners have been used to.
- Green building materials specified by the architect will have to be purchased, locally if possible, and installed by the contractors.
- Green landscaping design considers water usage for plants, groundwater replenishment, a pleasing transition from the inside of the house into nature, and creates natural wildlife habitat wherever possible. All of these factors have an influence on how the home owners will live in and around their green home and fully support the intent of the green architecture.
Green homes are built in harmony with nature and with the future homeowners. This includes creating visual connections with the surrounding landscape, nature and vistas. Green architects know how to give you the feeling of being outside when you sit in your living room.
Natural lighting is a big component of green architecture. Not only will the home owner save energy because the need to turn on lights has been reduced. Natural light is also beneficial to physical health and well being.
Building materials chosen and specified by a green builder are eco-friendly and meet all the requirements to be green and sustainable. As a result, the indoor air quality in a green home is very high. Green building materials do not off-gas any harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Cleaning a green home with eco-friendly cleaning materials is another important aspect. Green building materials are made to be cleaned with non-toxic, non-abrasive and gentle cleaners. Here again, the expertise of a green architect or builder can be very helpful.
Green architecture can be incorporated into just about any type or style of house. Check out these (green homes for sale.com).
Learn more about
Green Building Materials
Alternative Energies
The importance of a tight building envelope
