Green Architecture

The Key to Building Green

When it comes to green-ifying your new home there are many paths you can take, like buying a book on the topic and talking it through with your contractor, or even taking a do-it-yourself approach. However, the end result should meet the following list of basic green building principles.

1. Passive design that makes use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy. These designs should focus largely on the size, location and position of windows - so that the temperature of your home doesn't fluctuate too much. Check out our wind and solar sister sites to learn more about converting your home to solar and/or wind power.

2. Size - In order to keep your home from turning into a drafty energy guzzler, you'll want to keep it as small as is viable for your family. Larger homes use more electricity, lighting, etc, so they are therefore less sustainable constructions.

3. You may also want to build your home on a south facing slope, as the cool earth below will act as a natural coolant in the hot summer months. The foundation shouldn't be too deep, however, to prevent the dirt below from leeching heat from your home.

4. Be as energy and water efficient as possible. Get appliances that have better environmental standards, like a water conserving toilet. Wash your clothes in cold water. For more tips go to our Green Tips page.

5. Choose to build with natural, local and recycled materials where possible. Lumber is often imported from other countries, and buying it contributes to deforestation, so where possible use other materials like stone, recycled wood, etc.

The Best in Green Architecture:

Want to check out what the best and brightest architects are doing to go green? Check out last years top green designs in America.

American Institute of Architects 2007 Top Ten Award Winners

EpiCenter, Artists for Humanity (Arrowstreet, Inc.), Boston, MA : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=736

 Global Ecology Research Center (EHDD Architecture), Stanford, CA : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=809

 Government Canyon Visitor Center (Lake/Flato Architects), Helotes, TX : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=796

 Hawaii Gateway Energy Center (Ferraro Choi and Associates), Kailua-Kona, H : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=592

 Heifer International (Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects, Ltd.), Little Rock, AR : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=781

Sidwell Friends Middle School (Kieran Timberlake Associates), Washington, DC : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=775

Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse (Morphosis & DLR Group), Eugene, OR :  http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=776

 Whitney Water Purification Facility (Steven Holl Architects), New Haven, CT :http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=839

  Willingboro Master Plan & Public Library (Croxton Collaborative Architects, PC), Willingboro, NJ : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=617

 Z6 House (LivingHomes with Ray Kappe Architects), Santa Monica, CA : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=851