Sustainability has never looked so good
- Chad Moreland
- May 5, 2019
- 2 min read
To begin with, let's talk about what a sustainable home is. This kind of home is one that meets the needs and goals of its residents today while preserving water, energy, and other natural resources for generations to come. A sustainably designed home works with the environment and its surroundings, not against it. A sustainable home combines contemporary aesthetics and comforts by demonstrating smart design, self-sufficiency and on-site renewable energy using techniques to maximize efficiency with minimized energy need in addition to using natural, recycled, and non-toxic building materials. I have a great appreciation for these particular types of homes, even though I prefer, for myself, something more classical and traditional aesthetically speaking. However, I believe all homes going forward should include these amazing sustainable features. For inspiration, check out some examples below of contemporary sustainable dwellings and all their beauty.
Besides the decorative benefit, roof plantings can provide temperature control, hydrological benefits, architectural enhancement and habitat for wildlife.
This energy neutral modern home was designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects in Thuringia, Germany. The architects took advantage of the steep slope and Southern orientation, and built the home into the hillside using the earth itself for passive heating and cooling. This home creates its own energy from solar cells incorporated into the living roof design and from a solar deck covering the swimming pool that divides the home’s terrace in half.
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects used passive energy tricks when designing this Sonoma residence by using deciduous trees and a living roof for passive heating and cooling. This home is situated on a gently sloping meadow of native grass, herbs and small rooted vegetables that gently descends down to a spring fed pond.
Designed by San Francisco-based Spiegel Aihara Workshop (SAW), the Cotton Street residence shown above takes advantage of natural lighting and passive ventilation, and is equipped with energy efficient appliances, radiant floor heating, and a solar system for energy generation.
Located in San Antonio, this single family residence was built by John Grable Architects with great respect for the environment. It has photovoltaic panels, a green roof system, grey water harvesting and LED lighting. Arbors and overhanging structures provide passive cooling. The construction of the home was carried out with as little impact on the pre-existing heritage Oak trees as possible.
Comments