Going Green: Building A House With Sustainable House Plans

Years ago the idea of building a home with green principles seemed a bold investment. Now that everyone and every organization in the world unites to find ways to lessen global warming, the same idea has made a great impact on the Home Building Industry especially in Australia. Thus, almost all home builders including Melbourne home builders are now building a sustainable home.

Presently, Urbanedge Homes is recognized as one of the top eco builders known for building a house with sustainable long term modern home designs and green principles without compromising style and architecture.

Their GreenSmart Homes have already attracted the fantasies of new home buyer’s dream of building an eco friendly home while at the same time offers timeless elegance and sophistication. On top of these features, Urbanedge GreenSmart Homes are built in sustainable modern home designs and green principle house plans which can reduce water and energy usage.

Thus, these Eco friendly homes demonstrate improved energy, resource and water efficiency, which in turn reduces household running costs and greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. By building a GreenSmart new home, home owners can reap long-term benefits such as lower energy and water bills, for years to come.

With the rising cost of energy and the need to conserve our precious resources, a sustainable home is becoming a highly favorable and more economical option when it comes to building a new home. With GreenSmart home buyers will not only achieve an environmentally responsible home that is cleaner and healthier for their family to live in. They will also be able to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with cheaper running costs.

To know more about GreenSmart homes, visit Urbanedge Homes display homes and display centres throughout Melbourne. Or log on to http://www.urbanedgehomes.com.au/greensmart.aspx for more information.

About the Author:
A computer professional who works on the internet helping Urbanedge Homes increase its viewers through optimization. For world class Eco builders visit us online at www.urbanedgehomes.com.au

Building A New Home? Go Green!

With the rising cost of energy and the need to conserve the planet’s precious resources, a sustainable home is becoming a highly favorable and more economical option.

So, if you are planning on building a home, incorporate sustainable principles on your home designs and house plans. There are many reliable home builders in Melbourne who will be pleased to assist you in achieving that goal. One of the most recognized green Melbourne home builders in Australia is Urbanedge homes.

Urbanedge Homes features Green homes which are known to demonstrate improved energy, resource and water efficiency which in turn reduces your household running costs and greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

These eco friendly homes are designed to minimize the use of heating and cooling. Through careful solar orientation on the site, the sun’s energy is maximized throughout the year and natural ventilation methods are used to circulate air in and around the home. Effective insulation is used to prevent heat loss and heat gain through walls, roofs, and floors, whilst heat loss through windows is reduced through high-performance glazing.

As for your house interior and exterior designs, Urbanedge home builders guarantee that you will love your home and will stand out in your neighborhood. Their team of professional architects and designers will create modern home designs and house plans that fit your neighborhood block, lifestyle and budget.

If you also have ideas or designs you want to include in your home, Urbanedge will be happy to guide you through the process and assist you with the many things that need to be taken into consideration. They will help you select the exterior bricks, render and roof colors; doors and windows; flooring and all internal and external features as well as your home’s finishing touches.

Building a house with sustainable designs will not only help you achieve an environmentally responsible home that is cleaner and healthier for your family to live in, you will also be able to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with cheaper running costs.

Know more about Urbanedge green and affordable homes at http://www.urbanedgehomes.com.au/greensmart.aspx or visit Urbanedge display homes in Melbourne.

About the Author
Ace
A computer professional who works on the internet helping Urbanedgehomes increase its viewers through optimization. For world class Home builders visit us online at www.urbanedgehomes.com.au

Going Green With Commercial Real Estate

Investing in a facility that adheres to green building standards and performance efficiency is a smart and responsible decision. When considering the value energy efficient and environmentally friendly buildings can bring to the commercial real estate market, it seems as if going green is the wisest of investments. The practice of "going green" has been gaining popularity within the last decade.

It is more important than ever to ensure we are doing all we can to lessen mankind's harmful impact on the environment, and the government is offering tax incentives to those who take on environmental challenges with green building practices. Our society as a whole has changed the way it sees building, living and working. That's why living and building "green" is more attractive than ever to both residential and commercial real estate investors. Green building design consultants can help a facility reach its efficiency goals. Green design can alleviate and reduce exposure to toxic materials, as well as ensure the conservation of non-renewable materials and energy.

When it comes to green facility construction, a green design consultant will make sure the building process minimizes the ecological impact of building as well as oversee the construction to guarantee the protection of local water, soil, air, plants and wildlife. When designing a green facility, it is important to take into account the lifestyles of those who will be using the building. Make sure the facility offers support of transportation alternatives, such as walking, mass transit, biking and alternative fuels. Incorporating design features that will make it easier for commuters who use non-traditional transportation is a responsible and modern necessity.

Of course, you'll want to utilize non-renewable energy and recycled, environmentally friendly materials in your building. Many wonderful decorations and practical applications can be made out of the abundance of recycled plastic and rubber. Plastic and rubber are extremely durable, but not very environmentally friendly. It is a wise choice to use the recycled plastic and rubber, however, because otherwise it would end up sitting in a landfill for thousands of years. And, by using recycled materials, it eliminates the need to create new, un-degradable plastic.

You may think that going green and increasing building performance efficiency would cost a lot of money. While this has been the case in the past, it is becoming more and more cost effective. In fact, green design and building often costs the same as traditional building methods. And with all the money that can be saved through efficiency and recycling, green building can actually cost far less than traditional methods over the long run. Corporations and businesses are far more likely to invest in a green building if they know it will increase their bottom line.

If you consider the long-term maintenance and energy costs, using green and energy efficient products and designs will significantly increase profitability. As green building continues to gain popularity, tax incentives will increase. It's easy see how green design and construction will pay for itself as times goes on.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Servidyne. The commercial and industrial building experts can help you manage your building's energy-efficiency while lowering operating costs. From consultations to energy audits and even to installation of a CMMS system that will keep tabs on your building maintenance and energy output for years to come. For more information on their Green Building Consultant please visit their website.

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Finding Information About Green Communities

Green housing communities and residential buildings will continue to grow by large multiples over the next several years in the United States. McGraw-Hill Companies predict that the market share of green new construction be as large as 20% of all home starts and worth up to $70 billion by 2012. This sustainable housing market is selling strong despite the economic downturn since consumers recognize that the energy efficiency gains can amount to serious monthly savings. The danger is that "green" is a term used widely and is largely unregulated when developers promote their communities. Consumers are finding it more difficult to navigate the "green" housing market, oftentimes finding homes that claim to be green really aren't. This is called "greenwashing", a trend we will certainly see grow in the coming years. Fortunately, there have been several organizations which have created standards which measure all communities against the same benchmark. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has emerged as the most widely accepted. LEED assigns a rating to a home or neighborhood of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. The rating is based on a set of six widely reaching principals designed to assess the environmental friendliness of the community. www.GreenHousingDevelopments.com has created a national website which displays information about many of the nation's leading green developments in a non biased and easy to understand way. Interested consumers can confidently research different green communities and compare the ones which they like best for their green features. Features which are displayed for each community include Price, home type, heating and cooling systems, windows and plumbing used, access to transportation and much more. Through the website, interested consumers can request a brochure, floor plans, or MLS listings from green agents in each geographical area.

About the Author:
This article is written by Luke Blahnik for Green Housing Developments. Get information about USA green homes for sale from Green Housing Developments.

Today's Sustainable Design Home Plans

In today's world, it is important to make many considerations when designing a home. Going green is vital to our future and today's sustainable design home plans reflect this need.

Sustainable home design is defined as the philosophy of designing a home with its environment and services focused with emphasis on economic, social and ecological responsibility providing a minimal environmental impact.

When designing a sustainable home, it is an integrated design process between the architect, engineers, and design team and of course, their client at all stages on construction. From the site selection, design formation, material selected and how they are procured on up to their implementation.

The following are some options for sustainable design home plans. These include some building designs that have been in existence for quite a while and are now being reconsidered due to their beneficial nature.

Passive solar home. These homes can be heated almost entirely by the sun or can have south-facing windows that provide a fraction of the heating. The key to designing a sustainable passive solar home is to take advantage of the climate where you live and customize your home to maximize its benefits.

Earthships/Rammed Earth. An earthship house is made up of rammed earth and tires. When constructing this home, the tires are stacked like bricks with dirt packed in each tire firmly. Once the tires are packed, they create a strong and quite thick wall. These walls help make these dwellings energy efficient by storing heat and releasing it slowly. By doing this, the interior temperature is kept more constant. Another good feature is that these homes are fire and insect resistant.

Adobe. A more familiar option is adobe, which is actually the name of the construction material rather than the design. These homes are typically found in dry climates and the bricks are made with tightly compacted earth, clay, and straw. These natural components make this construction eco-friendly. A similar style of sustainable home design is a Cob House. Like adobe construction, the materials comprise of clay-like lumps of soil, sand, and straw. However, this material is not made into bricks but can be sculpted into the form desired.

Underground homes. These homes are also called Earth Sheltered Homes. These dwellings are characterized by being located mostly under the surface of the ground. By being underground, the home has natural insulation, making it energy efficient and inexpensive to heat and cool. Most homes are located on a hillside with good drainage. To provide more light, the windows may be oriented in a south direction or a skylight may be added.

Whatever your choice for a sustainable design home plan, you are guaranteed a unique home with energy efficiency and character. You can be happy that your impact on the environment is much less than with traditional wood-frame home construction. The eco-friendly nature of your home and the money saved in the long run make your choice to build a sustainable home the right one.

About the Author:
Whether you need architectural drawings in Toronto or Toronto drafting services, we offer professional drafting and project management services for any of your Home Improvement, Renovation, Building or Construction projects, and BCIN in Toronto.

Green Building - Getting The Services Of A Green Architect And Contractor

For those who are planning to build a new house or do some major home remodeling, why not do such tasks the eco-friendly way?. The concepts of green building have taken a major foothold in the home building and construction industry.

Based on US Census figures, it was estimated that more than 1.3 million new homes were built in the United States in 2002, and remodelling and home improvement spending in 1996 amounted to $119 billion. Remodeling or constructing your home gives you a chance to help transform the marketplace towards a sustainability and environment-friendly one, and create living space that's better for you and the environment.

Homes Have A Major Effect On The Environment

It's a fact that homes affect the planet, from the use and depletion of natural resource, human health, to overall ecological integrity. Aside from basic health and safety measures mentioned in the building code, there's no requirement to minimize these impacts. A new home construction or remodel would serve an opportunity in creating a symbolic and physical representation of your commitment to caring for the planet, health, and in a vital and engaged community.

Why It Pays To Find Architects Or Contractors Who Espouse Green Building Concepts

One you try looking for eco-friendly home building concepts and practices, you'll be surprised to quickly find one once you tap into the local design community, that there are a number of firms that have gained stellar reputations for going green.

Upon closer observation, you'll notice that within the general category of green, each firm or architect will have its strong points, as some focus on healthy building, while other concentrate on energy efficiency and/or renewable energy, and some apply their expertise on green materials, natural building techniques, or building modular homes. Look for a professional contractor that has extensive applied experience in building green, and will gladly apply these elements to your home project.

Choosing Green Architects And Home Contractors

Check Out Their Previous Record For Demonstrated Experience

First, do a thorough background check on an architect or contractor's experience with green building. Find out if he or she can point to specific projects in their portfolio, and provide references as well. Aside from ensuring that the architect or contractor is licensed and bonded, ask if he or she is a member of green design organizations or has participated in any programs, and if the contractor follows construction practices that minimize pollution and protects indoor air quality and enhance worker health and safety as well.

Ensure That A Contractor Practices What He Or She Professes

Aska prospective home contractor or architect how he or she operates their business; like does he recycle in the office as well as on the job site? Find out if the green design elements evident,such as environmentally responsible materials and office supplies, energy efficient lighting, fixtures.

Check If Green Concepts Are Incorporated Into the Contract Details

Architects have standard specifications that lays out the orders for everyone involved in building the house, down to how the paint is applied and what quality of materials are chosen for the cabinets. These specifications are generally customized by each company, and further modified for each project. These specs are a powerful tool in green building, while at the same time, are a legal document, and can be tedious to review sometimes. Ask an architect or contractor to give you an overview of the specifications for your project, and ensure that they cover all these.

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Greener Interior Design - Where To Buy Sustainable Decorative Materials?

Green interiors: Where to by sustainable decorative materials,
finishes, surfaces and flooring

Decorating homes with the environment and health in mind can be done without any loss of style Although we understand the health benefits of eating natural or organic food, perversely we have been slow to recognize that how we decorate our homes can also affect our wellbeing. Modern paints, for example, are typically made from vinyl resins and petrochemicals. These not only ‘out-gas’ volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but being non-porous prevent walls from breathing turning rooms into plastic boxes. Non-toxic, breathable finishes – using linseed oil, natural pigments and minerals, and even milk, say – rival and often surpass their modern counterparts for longevity, colour depth and finishes. To partner these, there are masses of stylish options for natural or eco floorings, like linoleum or coir and seagrass matting, and surfaces and wall coverings using recycled glass or old Wellington boots, would you believe it?

Surfaces Dapple Glass www.dappleglass.com
Shimmering accent tiles created from glass cullet to resemble crushed jewels.

DURAT www.durat.com
A tactile, solid-surface material available in an extensive range of speckled colours. Designed for worktops and tabletops it can also be cast into basins, shower trays and baths. Made with 50% recycled plastic it is itself 100% recyclable.

Eight Inch www.eightinch.co.uk
Jazzy, hardwearing composite material made from 85% recycled glass chips and solvent-free resins. Available in numerous color combinations and aggregate sizes it can be cast into practically any shape or used as a seamless flooring screed.

Energywise Recycled Glass www.energywiserecycledglass.co.uk
Recycled glass tiles available plain or patterned in clear, blue, green or amber.

Smile Plastics www.smile-plastics.co.uk
Fun sheet materials suitable for flooring, worktops and cladding and the like, ingeniously recycled from Wellington boots, squeezy bottles, yoghurt pots, bank notes, reject toothbrushes and crisp packets.

Smith & Wareham www.smithandwareham.co.uk
Recycled glass mosaic tiles in 16 colours.

Flooring

Concept Carpets www.concept-carpet.co.uk
Luxurious tufted carpets made in Britain with Jacob wool. Free from bleaching agents, chemical dyes and insect and stain repellents, the Jacob’s Velvet comes in three natural colors – cream, pewter and dark brown – as well as five attractive marled versions.

Dalsouple www.dalsouple.com
DalNaturel is a ‘new generation’ natural rubber floor covering featuring over 90% natural ingredients (most ‘rubber’ flooring is actually made from SBR, a petrochemical by-product).

Forbo-Nairn www.forbo-flooring.co.uk
Retro-style Marmoleum flooring is made from linseed oil, chalk, wood flour, and pine resin. Available in a wide selection of plain and marbled colours, it comes as both a 200cm wide sheet and as a tile (333 by 333mm square).

Kersaint Cobb www.kersaintcobb.co.uk
Natural coir, jute, seagrass and sisal floor coverings backed with natural latex.

Panda Flooring www.pandaflooring.co.uk
‘Hardwood’ flooring made from bamboo, the most environmentally friendly plant resource on account of its growth rate.

Siesta Cork Tile www.siestacorktiles.co.uk
Insulating, noise-absorbing, flexible cork floor and wall tiles made from harvestable tree bark in numerous colours, thicknesses and finishes.

The Waveney Rush Industry www.waveneyrush.co.uk
Sweet-smelling carpets and matting handmade from natural, renewable rush fibre.

Paints and Finishes Auro www.auroorganic.co.uk
Gloss and eggshell for woodwork and various wall paints as well as a huge range of wood stains, waxes, oils, decorating adhesives, fillers and even paint stripping paste, all free from petrochemicals.

Francesca’s Paints www.francescaspaint.com
Traditional lime wash (interior and exterior), ‘chalky’ emulsion, flat oil, eggshell, gloss, masonry and water-based, breathable ‘eco emulsion’ paints, all tinted with natural pigments and mixed by hand in 146 shades.

Georgina Barrow Natural Paints www.naturalpaints.org.uk
Matt, water-based emulsion and interior and exterior eggshell paints in 30 muted colours

Precious Earth www.preciousearth.co.uk
Environmentally friendly, low-impact finishes and flooring outlet in Ludlow offering a specialist design consultancy.

Ray Munn www.raymunn.com
Stockists of the Beckers range of eco-friendly paints, varnishes and finishes from Sweden, which offers a computerized colour-matching service.

Contemporary furniture for the home. Storage, shelving and home office furniture, offering contemporary style and sustainability www.ottofurniture.com. Further information on eco furniture, eco designers and eco-retailers is available on this site.

About the Author: Contemporary furniture for the home. Storage, shelving and home office furniture, offering contemporary style and sustainability http://www.ottofurniture.com. Further information on eco furniture, eco designers and eco-retailers is available on this site.

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How To Build A Sustainable Kitchen Design

There is a looming reality taking place in the society today. Increasing concerns on global warming and rising energy prices are on the loose, and so, the concept of high-performance homes and sustainable designs are considered to be urgent issues. The need for more energy-efficient utility and facility designs is inevitable.

A home's energy and conservation points are located within the house itself. A large part of domestic costs are from maintenance, service, and energy. Reports on energy analysis have shown that homes together with buildings, commercial establishments, and facilities contribute tremendous consumption of resources especially energy, which accounts nearly 40 - 60% of the total consumption. Lighting, refrigeration, plumbing, and fire-fighting facilities represent the largest percentage of structural energy demand. Because of the impact on energy, it is important that efficient facility designs are integrated into a home or building.

These things when left unattended can wreak havoc not only to the structure's life cycle but more importantly on its operation and maintenance cost. With this, it is not surprising why homeowners do not just entrust facilities design to ordinary contractors. They assign it to the best professionals in town who can weave in all aspects and engineer the whole into a fine working specimen that can breathe efficiently for years to come.

Considering the many parts of a home, the kitchen is considered to be one of the most important sections. This is where the family's food are being stored, prepared, and cooked.

Hence, it is important to maintain safety and security at all times to ensure harmonious work in the area. Additionally, this is where most of the appliances are located. Hence, among all other parts in the house, the kitchen contributes almost half of the total energy consumption. With this, it is equally important to create a kitchen design that will match the requirements of integrated or sustainable design.

Why Sustainable Design?

Sustainable design, when incorporated within a home or building, triggers high performance and various advantages and keep energy consumption at a minimum. Creating sustainable kitchen design includes putting together "green design strategies" into standard design criteria. With this, you may consider the following areas:

1. Lighting design

Lighting efficiency is an essential factor in developing high-performance in homes. Like HVAC, several factors are necessary to ensure sustainable development in building operations - quality of lighting, aesthetics, energy efficiency, etc.

Designs that provide occupancy or light-level sensors, lighting controls, and dimming systems to determine when lights are illuminated, optimizes lighting needs, and provides homeowners with timed overrides. With advanced lighting designs, modulated lighting levels in proportion to available daylight are possible, which, in the end, saves energy. With this, you can maximize light coming from natural source. You may also use window panels that are specifically designed for optimizing the principles of sustainable development.

2. Materials

Wallpapers, table countertops, wood cabinets, carpet tiles - every material used in your kitchen should be designed according to the current standards of sustainable or green design. In this way, you can be sure that whatever material you use in your kitchen, you can be sure that you do not just provide clean living to your family but you also help protect the environment.

3. Appliances

To match the sustainability of your kitchen, make it a point to use appliances that provides high energy savings and are environmentally friendly. Among all appliances being used in the kitchen, refrigerators are considered to be the most important. This is where you keep and preserve your food.

Temperature control is critical to food safety, shelf-life and quality. However, in most cases temperature control and energy consumption do not go along together. You want to keep food fresh by providing better gauge on the temperature, which will eventually put an impact on your energy consumption. Higher temperature means higher electricity bills. But with a good refrigeration design, you can be sure that you can keep these two factors working harmoniously together.

With increasing requirements for energy efficient facilities in most countries and with the growing environmental awareness, the idea of incorporating sustainable design into your kitchen will not just provide your family a better environment within your home but also offer the community a better place to live.

Jo is an author and publisher for 'Benchmark Interiors' - http://www.benchmarkinteriors.co.uk - a UK kitchen furniture company that focuses in bespoke handmade kitchens, bedroom and home office furniture development and fabrication. If you are eager to create a sustainable kitchen design and want it to be austere yet useful or just want to know about bespoke kitchens design then you ought to have a look at Benchmark Interiors.

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Green Home Renovation - Eco In Your Bathroom

While building a new green home may not be in everyone's household budgets, there are plenty of eco home renovation ideas for your current abode.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that between 1992 and 2002, Australians spent over $1.6 billion on home renovation. And with the current economic downturn, more and more homeowners are considering hanging on to their residents and giving them a new look instead of buying a new one.

One of the first renovation considerations for most homeowners is remodelling the bathroom. That salmon colour scheme with sea foam green might have been a great look for the 50s, but it just might not be your cup of tea.

For the eco minded renovation, there are many sustainable options for the bathroom. From tips to save water, energy - and some precious cleaning time - here are some Green Pages eco home tips for a sustainable bathroom:

Eco Home Tip # 1 - Up cycle/Recycle - Consider second hand pieces for furniture. An old dresser or buffet could make a great vanity. By visiting some great recycle shops, you may find a treasure trove to inspire the ecomagination.

Eco Home Tip # 2 - Lighting au natural - consider installing a skylight to let in natural light during the day. Many skylights can also be ventilated which will save on cleaning (see Eco Tip 5). For artificial, opt for energy efficient globes and fixtures.

Eco Home Tip # 3 - Hey you, try a water saving loo - Australians were the first to pioneer dual flush toilets, let's all be proud. The unique shape of the bowl is the secret behind this ingenious invention, which can save on average 35,000 litres of water a year. There's also the option of installing a waterless urinal in your home, the perfect water saving solution for a house of growing boys.

Eco Home Tip # 4 - Low flow taps and showerheads - Get your fittings measured up and put in flow restrictors or install some low flow fittings. When getting your plumbing put in, call certified Green Plumber who can answer many of our eco bathroom questions.

Eco Home Tip # 5 - Ventilation Revolution - Hate cleaning the bathroom? Here's a quick tip - by installing a fan or ceiling ventilation, you reduce the build up of mold, mildew and foul odors. This means less cleaning, especially with those harsh bleach based chemical cleaners. (which you should ditch for eco cleaning ideas)

Eco Home Tip # 6 - Eco IS a material change - there are eco option for practically everything, solvent free eco paint, sustainable timber or bamboo cabinetry, recycled glass tiles, screens, blinds, windows, everything you can think of.

Do your research on sustainable architecture and eco home products such as those listed on the Green Pages green directory for the green home.

And don't forget, once you have eco bathroom of your dreams, stock it up with some great eco home products. Delectably scented beeswax candles, luxurious organic cotton or bathroom towels, organic hemp shower curtains and organic soaps (and of course recycled loo paper!) are just some great items you can use to give the your own personal eco touch.

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Sustainable Home Building - Your Choice For Going Green

Sustainable home building features the conservation of resources to a large degree. In a finite environment using resources efficiently is the hallmark of a new method of building your home. Using recycled products is part of this process.

In building a home with a view to conserving energy, your house will be architecturally designed to reflect this. When your home is energy efficient, you'll use less energy to power your house. Less energy means burning less finite fossil fuel. Therefore, you'll be responsible for less carbon emissions into the environment. You won't be contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Indoor air quality is another significant feature of sustainable home building. The better the flow of air in your home, the healthier your home occupants will be. Stale air is harmful for long term health. You should ideally get fresh air circulating through your home. With the right design, your home can be built in a way that maximizes the flow of indoor air and improves the air quality in your home.

In an attempt to conserve energy, the use of any source of renewable energy will be maximized. This means your home will be at the forefront of solar and wind energy usage. At least a part of your electricity requirements could come off the grid from solar or even wind power.

With solar powered heating and electricity, your energy and utility bills will likely take a nosedive. This is good news if you're keen on conserving your cash resources. Before you go about hiring an architect to design your home, you might want to consider sustainable home building as an option. Not only will you be saving money but you'll have a home that's ergonomically and holistically built.

As you'll be intimately involved in the design process, you can be sure that your home will be not only comfortable but totally in keeping with your unique vision. You'll enjoy the planning and building stages a whole lot better.

Contact a custom home builder for the best and most efficient homes. When you hire a custom home builder, what you'll actually be doing is engaging design and home building professionals who will design and build your home holistically. Your home will be viewed as an entire unit with many inter-connected parts that will gel together perfectly. Choose sustainable home building for your new home!

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Green Home Building Is Gaining Momentum

Green homes are expected to make up to ten percent of new home construction over the next several years, according to a study done by McGraw-Hill Construction. Homeowners are interested in purchasing green homes because of the benefits they offer -- from healthier indoor air to energy savings.

What are some of the primary benefits of a green home? Such a home is constructed with much thought given to the materials used in construction. Building materials are expected to be toxin-free, sustainable and energy-efficient. The use of toxin-free building materials helps combat indoor air pollution. Since we are exposed to the air in our homes as much or more often than outside air, indoor pollution can pose serious health risks to residents. A healthier home means fewer visits to the doctor and hopefully fewer respiratory problems.

Besides potential health savings, the net cost of owning a green home is typically comparable to, if not cheaper than a standard home. People who live in green homes save money by consuming less energy and fewer resources than standard homes. The savings add up over the years in decreased energy and water bills.

Insurance companies are becoming convinced that green may be the way to go. More and more insurance companies are offering discounts on policies covering green homes. Similarly, there are even a few mortgage companies offering discounted loan rates for home buyers buying green.

Here are some of the reasons for the heightened interest and discounts offered by the business community:

A green home is often more durable than standard homes because of its high-quality building materials and construction processes, requiring fewer repairs.

The value of a green home is often higher than that of a comparable standard home, and the market demand for green homes is expected to rise. A green housing development in New York has demonstrated the ability to command ten to fifteen percent higher rental rates than comparable units in the surrounding area.

And local, state and federal governments are increasingly offering tax breaks and incentives for building a green home or adding green features to an existing home.

What are some of the features of a green home? Efficient plumbing and bathing fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping and water-conserving irrigation systems help green homes use less water than standard homes. This feature will become increasingly important as the prospect of water shortages loom in some parts of the country.

Because many green building materials incorporate significant recycled content, they require the use of fewer natural resources. The amount of excess building materials dumped in landfills is significantly less than the amount generated by traditional practices.

Some green homes incorporate carpets and floor tiles from recycled tires and bottles. Other homes use salvaged materials or renewable and sustainable products, such as bamboo, hemp and soybean. Homeowners can choose countertops made from recycled street lights and other recycled glass.

Low-volatile organic compound paints and finishes inside the home reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. Formaldehyde-free insulation also insures fewer dangerous chemicals are released into the atmosphere.

Energy-efficient appliances, insulation, roofing materials, doors and windows lower heating and cooling bills.

In many cases, builders are also including universal design elements into green homes. These designs, which include wider doorways, no stairs, flat entries and accessible bathrooms, sinks and showers, assure that people with varying abilities can live in and age in their homes and their neighborhoods.

Preston Sandlin is a home inspector and real estate investor in Charlotte NC. He has been performing home inspections and buying real estate in Charlotte NC for over 12 years. He is a member of the North Carolina Home Inspector's Association, the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association, and the BBB.

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Aesthetic And Sustainable Architecture

I recently attended a global eco design conference. Whilst the basic principles of a sustainable house such as insulation, ventilation and orientation to suit the climate were good - the resulting houses seemed to lack something. They didn't seem to have much intrinsic beauty or elegance.

The only principle that was mentioned that excited me was "bio-mimicry" - copying nature. Although the concept has been around for some time, it has been brought to prominence recently by by Janine Benyus in her book ""Biomimicry, Innovation Inspired by Nature". It was mentioned at the conference by Ray Anderson - an American manufacturer of commercial carpet tiles who is trying to make his company more sustainable and it was also touched on by Dr David Suzuki - the famous environmentalist - who also spoke at the conference. It seems to be the latest buzz word.

Perhaps it is the fact that Vedic houses - those based on ancient Sthapatya Vedic principles - are also based on natural design that makes them have a better feeling and which makes them look more appealing.

I have had a house built according to these principles. It faces true East and is aligned to the cardinal points. This design in accordance with natural laws is called "Vastu". You enter from the East and North sides only. One of the main guiding principles is that everything good comes from the East. But this doesn't mean that you can't also design your house to suit the climate (in my case the tropics) and filter the light if necessary and have large eves.

So the design corresponds to the effect of light on the earth - to the effect of the sun. In fact you can work out what true North is simply by observing what the sun does to the shadows it creates at different times of day. You can also use a GPS to confirm it.

In Vedic architecture the placement and dimensions of the rooms, as well as the length, width and elevation of the building are individually calculated. The measurements are based on ancient mathematical formulas. These formulas take into consideration, among other factors, the relationship of the house owner with the planets according to Jyotish (Indian Astrology). So the design relates to the people - it isn't based on some man-made notions of what would be good.

According to Vedic principles, the nourishing aspects of the house are placed on the East side of the house just as the rising sun coming from the East provides nourishment. So the meditation room is placed in the North East corner to nourish the spiritual aspects of the individuals in the house. The kitchen which nourishes the physiology is placed in the South-East. The North is considered the best side of the house in which to pursue creative activities and so that is where the study is located. The Western side of the house embodies the qualities of the setting sun - that being relaxation, calmness and restful sleep. So it is the best side on which to locate bedrooms and relaxation rooms. So in this sense, they are also mimicking nature.

I think that a lot of houses these days lack the fine details (see http://www.newhousebuilding.com). We used to have the beauty of ornate cornices and ceilings shaped like flowers and so on. When Ray Anderson talked about bio-mimicry he gave the example of his carpet tile designers going into the forest. They found that every part of it was different and that no two leaves or other parts of it were the same and yet the overall effect was one of unity. So he decided to make a range of tiles where no one tile was the same as the other. They were very popular. This also explains the beauty of marble tiles - no one tile is ever the same as all the others.

Vedic houses have this attention to detail and their aesthetic beauty arises as a result of it. For example, the house is elevated on a plinth which makes it appear more grand and stately and the roof is adorned with an intricately shaped and curved kalash. Modern sustainable houses need to learn some of these principles so that they too will be satisfying on all levels and not just functional.

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The Natural House - Pilot

"The Natural House, is a thirty minute home tour, building and ‘workshop’ series that illustrates how homeowners incorporate innovative architectural design, natural building materials, and flexible construction techniques to create uniquely livable homes that reflect principles of harmony, economy, self-reliance, health and ecological balance. Each of the first thirteen episodes – and twenty six homes – will introduce viewers to unique houses and homeowners, forward looking builders, and visionary designers who have created sustainable homes utilizing the latest innovative sustainable and green technologies. In addition, each program in the series will include two on The Natural House pilot has been produced and directed by Ed Eberle."

Natural Lighting, Sustainable Design, And Retractable Awnings

Natural lighting is one integral - but often overlooked - concept in both standard architectural design and sustainable design. Natural lighting is an appealing design statement because it is naturally lovely. It also is significantly more energy efficient because it reduces dependence on artificial light for most of the day.

The key to incorporating natural light is in providing brightness while managing glare - and that's where retractable awnings can be a crucial design element.

The Importance of Lighting in Architecture Lighting is an incredibly important method to highlight the mood and functionality of a space. In traditional architecture, natural lighting creates a specific mood to enhance comfort. Nowadays, sustainable design is introducing a complementary feature: to save energy.

One architectural book defines the patterns of light and dark as a "tapestry" that balances the room. Light highlights functional areas; it establishes and smoothes visual contrasts. Effective lighting strategies blend color, contrast, and shadows, which makes the variability of natural light attractive. The uniformity of artificial light can't bring the same delicate touch.

Additionally, artificial light isn't necessary. There is a giant (and electricity-free) light source right in the sky. Sustainable designs - called daylighting - use sunlight as an interior light source to cut down electricity usage. Because this is so energy-efficient, daylighting is a highly desirable component energy efficiency programs, even recognized by LEED certifications.

The key is to make the lighting scheme effective, so natural lighting has to: $ Mitigate heat gain. Too much heat, and air conditioning use becomes an energy issue. $ Control glare and UV rays. Direct sunlight can cause problems with normal tasks (reading or working at a computer). $ Optimize light. Sunlight can be a good thing, not just a thing. Good lighting creates a feeling of warmth, comfort, and well-being, as well as reduces headaches and eye strain.

Where Retractable Awnings Fit In The key to natural light is controlling that light, and that's where retractable awnings are a vital design concept.

Retractable awnings have long been incorporated in traditional architecture to produce translucent shading - in other words, diffuse natural light. As part of a lighting scheme, retractable awnings bring two important advantages: $ The fabrics of these awnings softly diffuse light, producing the warmth of the color reflecting from the fabric. $ The exterior shade from retractable awnings reduces glare and prevents UV rays from entering a room.

Retractable awnings enhance sustainable lighting design, as well, through better efficiency than windows, window tinting, blinds and shades, or fixed awnings: $ Retractable awnings reduce summer heat gain by blocking sunlight during hot, long-light months. This reduces heat gain by as much as 77% (up to 20 degrees) and cuts air conditioning use by 25%. $ Retractable awnings allow winter heat gain. This is incredibly important. Sunlight is crucial to providing natural heat during autumn and winter. Cutting off sunlight permanently through fixed awnings or heavy window treatments actually increases energy use in winter months - more than it saves in summer.

Designing with Retractable Awnings Design isn't a product. Design is a plan. Retractable awnings can enhance the lighting of a room or save money simply by being installed. But you can really maximize your investment and get truly spectacular results with a little bit of planning.

First and most important, look at the fabric. High-quality retractable awnings (even in budget lines) use solution-dyed acrylic. It's a durable, stain-resistant, fade-resistant fabric with excellent color quality. Even better, it's approved by the American Skin Cancer Association for its UV protection. Because solution-dyed acrylic is synthetic, it is available in an astonishing array of colors and patterns. For maximum impact on natural lighting designs, consider retractable awnings fabrics in warm, honey-colored tones like dark yellows, beige, orange, or cream. That palette provides very soft color that reduces glare while still being bright and cheerful.

Another major factor are accessories for the retractable awning. Motors are a cinch; motorized retractable awnings are used four times more often than manual retractable awnings according to industry research. Other features like remote controls or switches allow awnings to be installed in otherwise inaccessible areas - over extremely high windows, sides of buildings, or over walkways - and be opened and closed easily. Other features like timers, wind sensors, and rain sensors can protect the retractable awning in threatening weather (and times with lowlight, when any natural light should be maximized).

And always remember to look at the frame. Almost all of the function of a retractable awning comes from what it offers indoors (light control, energy efficiency) but its beauty comes from how it looks outside. There are many frame styles, and high-end assemblers can custom-size retractable awnings to the inch. Plan where you need an awning based on your lighting and energy needs inside - but match the style to the outside for the best curb appeal.

About the Author:
Retractable Awnings offers afforable high quality awnings, which are durable and easy to install. http://www.retractableawnings.com/

The Green Economy Begins With Sustainable Design

Green initiatives are a driving force in the Obama Administration's economic plans. The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is expected to create 3.5 million green economy jobs over the next two years. While federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) have increased budgets and revitalized green mandates to power the Administration's sustainable agenda, there are signs that the private side is getting on board.

With increased public and private commitments to green initiatives, awareness of sustainable design polices and practices have become paramount to the success of the green movement. Since the emergence of the green movement, sustainable design has remained a random compilation of national policy interspersed with local applications.

The Obama Administration is applying standardized third-party sustainable fundamentals to federal projects and carrying those fundamentals to state and local levels. Effective sustainable design addresses three basic concepts:

• The reduction of negative factors on the environment
• The reduction of negative health and comfort factors upon building occupants
• The increase of building efficiency and performance

Like all federal agencies, the GSA is determined to minimize the bottom-line impact during the implementation of sustainable design for all the agency's projects. In the past, the private sector has been wary of the cost of green design and construction. GSA maintains that increased construction costs related to effective sustainable design are more than offset by the reduction in operating costs and specifically in reduced energy and waste costs.

To achieve cost-effective sustainable design, the federal government has set forth a six-step process that the Obama Administration hopes the private sector will utilize.

• Site selection and preparation
• Utilization of building operating systems that minimize the use of non-renewable products
• Insistence on the use of sustainable building products
• Address the preservation and conservation of water
• Improve the building interior environment to the benefit of the occupants
• Implement environmentally responsible operational and maintenance practices

Accordingly, the GSA has received a $5.5 billion budget allocation for green projects. The EPA has finally received supplements to its dwindling budget. The Agency's budget was trimmed each of the past 8 years, resulting in a 27% cumulative decrease.

The new $10.5 billion budget includes a $3.9 billion allocation for improvements to the country's water infrastructure. Specifically, the agency will address 1000 clean water projects and 700 drinking water initiatives ranging from, San Francisco to Chesapeake Bay and including major projects in The Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

The acknowledged universal and primary consideration in sustainable design has become the carbon footprint. The recognition of the carbon impact offers sustainable designers tangible criteria upon which every product, every building and every green initiative can be evaluated and promoted. In fact, the future of sustainable design and the development of carbon regulation will not only drive sustainable design but will unify the private and public sector's sustainable focus.

Copyright 2009 - 2010 theLEED.com and Green Efficient. Article may be reproduced, unchanged, as long as it retains author information and linking.

Rick Walker is the CEO of Green Efficient. GreenEfficient is the leader in the LEED building maintenance and operations market. Primarily serving Texas, their LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED-APS) manage commercial facilities using their integrated services portfolio of LEED-compliant janitorial services, Integrated Pest Management services, HVAC maintenance, lawn care services, purchasing oversight, occupant training and USGBC submittal services. Offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas and Corpus Christi enable the most active Texas LEED construction markets to be covered by their specialty services. For information on LEED, green building and sustainable products, visit their blog: theLEED

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Sustainable Architecture Building Materials - Know The Benefits

Sustainable architecture is a growing trend in today's eco-conscious world. The use of sustainable building materials promotes a healthier home or office as well as a cleaner, better preserved environment. There are many great benefits to designing spaces that use sustainable products and it does not have to be a difficult task.

Definition

What are these? These are products that are made from renewable sources, things that can be replenished and re-grown. They are distinguished from non-renewable ones in several ways. For example, they are classified distinctly because they help conserve things like water, air quality, energy and natural resources.

Typical Ones

Sustainable architecture uses the philosophy that resources are precious and should be used efficiently. So these might include things like products containing recycled elements, or wood products like bamboo that grow back very quickly.

Water saving faucets and plumbing design are certainly part of the "green" movement as are landscaping techniques like drip systems that use as little water as possible. Green materials also include products that are grown or produced locally so that less energy and resources are used up in the transportation of the goods to the building site.

It is also popular to use materials that can be recycled or reused whenever they are no longer functional or necessary in the building anymore. And finally, those that are durable and long-lasting are considered sustainable because they will not need to be replaced often and will thus conserve resources over time.

Advantages

Using "green" ones in sustainable architecture provide advantages to both the environment and those living or working in the new space. They can help reduce the amount of energy needed to power a home or office. They are also safer for the health and productivity of the people in the building as non-green ones often contain harmful toxins. In some cases, green materials can lower the long-term costs of maintain a building and replacing certain features.

And as for the environmental benefits, using sustainable products helps to protect natural raw resources like forests, water, and clean air. According to one study, over 3 billion tons of raw materials are consumed each year for construction and remodeling and using green materials helps to reduce the toll of this consumption.

Sustainable architecture is a smart way to build for the future. It is environmentally responsible and can also be the most economical choice in the long run.

With sustainable architecture, get broad scopes of architectural services including new construction, home renovation, interior design consultation and historic preservation. To know more, visit http://www.samselarchitects.com

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Commonly Asked Questions About Sustainable Home Design

If you're considering building your own house and you want to research some available options, it might be wise to speak with some sustainable home design architects. The idea behind this plan is to create dwellings that don't harm the environment, contribute to the local economy, and help reduce waste while maximizing tenant comfort. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about this unique kind of home plan.

• What are the principles behind sustainable design?

Home plans that reflect sustainable design ideals are environmentally sensitive and blend harmoniously with nature and society. These blueprints are not merely dwellings, but rather sanctuaries that operate under a philosophy of being an integral part of the natural surroundings rather than negatively harming them.

Sustainable design home plans incorporate only renewable, natural resources to lessen man's impact on the environment while being cost and energy-effective as well.

• What are some of the important aspects of such types of housing projects?

Architects utilize recycled, renewable, and non-toxic materials. The production process to make these is generally low impact on the environment and energy resources. That means that even after the house is no longer in use; the materials can be reused again, resulting in less waste.

These products are also often drawn from local sources to encourage local economy. Other important elements include maintaining a high quality of living for the tenants, such as an aesthetically pleasing look, healthy air flow, and overall harmony of the house.

• What are some of the primary goals of sustainable design architects?

Architects in this specialized field aim to create homes that outlast their mass-produced counterparts, with high quality plan elements and products. Energy efficiency, including electrical components and heating and cooling should be environmentally friendly as well as comfortably adequate for tenants.

A combination of alternative energies is often used such as solar power, collection of rainwater, and heat pumps to maximize effectiveness. Many of the dwellings can function equally as well without the help of traditional fossil fuel.

• Who can benefit from these types of houses?

Architects can be expensive; however, those with the ability and desire to create their own home plan will want to invest more research into these exciting and developing residential projects. It is not only environmentally friendly, but it can help save you money as well.

By using cheaper resources, you'll save money on the building materials. And since one of the main goals of these buildings is to create a longer lasting structure, you'll suffer through fewer repairs.

Alternative energy sources mean your family will save money and live a healthier, more independent lifestyle. You don't have to be dependent on traditional sources of energy or fossil fuel anymore.

• What else can a sustainable design architect do for me?

These kind of residential projects are also moving to the outdoors. Landscaping is an important aspect of a house layout, and designers have many tricks to help integrate the natural surroundings to benefit the house plans.

Elements of sustainable landscaping include strategically placing windows near trees to provide shade and protection, creating space for composting, using local plants and products to save on energy and contribute to the nearby economy, and choosing sturdy plants that can survive on little water and soil.

Sustainable home design plans are not only environment friendly but also cost effective in the long run. To find an architect with knowledge, training and experience in sustainable design, visit http://www.samselarchitects.com

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Sustainable Design Home Plans - The Responsible Choice For Today's Home Owner

When thinking about your dream home, there are many factors to consider. Location and cost are the first things most potential homeowners consider, but your research must go deeper, getting to the very heart of what you want your dream home to represent.

A dream house must meet all of your immediate needs, while still leaving room for growth and development in the future. For most people, the factors that they consider for the future usually revolve around a growing family and increased equity.

However, as people increasingly take a long-term, global view of their lives and their impact on the environment. Where past generations only sought to provide for the immediate needs of their family, today people are often looking for ways to leave a better planet for future generations.

As the science of ecology has developed over the years, it has been increasingly clear that something as solid and permanent as a building can have a fluid, changing impact on the environment over time. Today's houses can become tomorrow's problems if the architects behind the design do not take enough care in considering the future impact of their designs.

One way these architects are thinking of the future is by using sustainable design home plans. Sustainable designing encompasses a variety of design philosophies. The main idea that unites them all is a desire to find the best way to create buildings that will work with the surrounding environment. There are many variations on the theme of sustainable home design, but there are a number of common factors architects will consider when creating a sustainable design plan.

Working with a trained and experienced architect, you must first consider what sort of materials you will use to construct your dwelling and how those will affect the environment. Next, you must consider the amount of energy being consumed by your potential home. Utilizing certain complex design techniques, experts can now create dwellings that use the surrounding environmental patterns and building supplies to supplement energy needs, resulting in few energy required.

Finally, you must consider the pollution effects associated with your homes. The pollution put out by your home can be anything from ambient heat and water run-off that might affect the surrounding environment, to the actual pollution that will be created by your day to day life in the house.

When looking for an architect who can provide you with sustainable plans, it is important to do research. Look at buildings in your area that meet both your aesthetic needs as well as your sustainability needs. When meeting with your sustainable design representative, be sure to ask as many questions as you need to be comfortable with the design you choose.

As the years pass before your eyes and your family grows, your home will hopefully grow with you. And when it comes time to pass your home on to the next generation, hopefully you will be leaving them with a dream dwelling of their own, that will grow and change with them, all thanks to a well thought out sustainable home design plan.

Sustainable house design is the best way to create buildings in tune with the environment. LEED-Accredited architects incorporate environmentally sustainable design and green building principles throughout their work. Visit http://www.samselarchitects.com to learn more.

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Ecotourism As A Sustainable Development Model

Ecotourism appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Also known as ecological tourism, it involves travel to pristine and protected areas, where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the main attractions. It helps the traveller to have personal growth and learn new ways to live on the planet.

Fostering respect for different cultures and human rights, it directly benefits the economic development and political empowerment of local communities. Ecotourism is an enriching experience for those who would like to research and understand the environment around them. Promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities are an integral part of ecotourism. It aims at reducing the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhancing the integrity of local people.

There are several characteristics of ecotourism including travel to natural destinations, building environmental awareness, providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people, supporting human rights and demographic movements etc. It also satisfies various criteria like, conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection, sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises etc. For many countries like, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar, Antarctica etc it is a major industry of the national economy.

Ecotourism is a widely misunderstood concept. It is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism, which is related to nature. The greenwashing practices carried out in the name of ecotourism is detrimental to the ecosystem. There are some operators who behave in environmentally irresponsible ways, using the labels of "green" and "eco-friendly."

In order to promote ecotourism in its real sense, many environmentalists have argued for a global standard of accreditation, differentiating ecotourism companies on the basis of their level of environmental commitment. For enforcing accreditation procedures, a national or international regulatory board would be formulated, with representation from governments, hotels, tour operators, travel agents, guides, airlines, local authorities etc.

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Sustainable Development In Design And Architecture

Sustainable design, also known as "environmental design" is a philosophy that promotes the design of physical objects and services that meet the definition of social, economic and ecological sustainability. Sustainable architecture, therefore, is a sub-philosophy of sustainable design that deals specifically with architecture and all that goes into it from emergency lighting in commercial buildings to sun rooms in private residences. Seeking to minimize the negative environmental effects of architecture by using environmentally friendly building materials, limiting development space and dramatically increasing energy efficiency, sustainable architecture espouses the same goal as the more general philosophy of sustainable design: the preservation of the environment and everything therein for the proper use and enjoyment future generations.

Constructing a building that maintains emergency efficiency over the course of its lifetime is the primary goal of sustainable architecture. Energy efficiency begins with having a well-insulated building that meets the energy efficiency standards of sustainable design, but a building's heating and cooling methods play an essential role in realizing the efficacy of its insulation design. Some designers prefer to use photovoltaic solar panels, known as "active" solar design, to provide high level, sustainable electricity. When using these panels, a buildings roof is commonly angled towards the sun to allow the panels to collect maximum energy and may even be designed to follow the sun's movement. "Passive" solar design, on the other hand, focuses on constructing buildings using strong insulation combined with materials that possess a high thermal mass that allows them retain heat with greater efficiency.

Wind turbines are another option for generating energy efficiently, but the effectiveness of wind power varies by locations. At low wind sites, for example, wind turbine maintenance sometimes equals the revenue generated by a small wind power system. Residential wind systems have become increasingly popular, but the smaller systems are generally less cost effective than the larger systems with regard to initial cost versus how much energy the system produces.

Those who invest in sustainable architecture have far more choice in the building materials for their house than they do in choosing the house's means of energy production. A short list of sustainable building materials includes clay, certain types of concrete, baked earth, rammed earth, vermiculite, calcium sand stone, sustainably harvested wood, cork, wood fiber plates, flax linen and bamboo. Sustainable architecture can also include the use of second hand or recycled materials. In fact, the ultimate form of using old materials for sustainable architecture comes with retrofitting old structures to avoid more development. But even when old buildings lose out to new ones, demolishing the buildings and salvaging any wood and stone that can be repurposed helps maintain sustainable development.

The ultimate test for all sustainable design is whether it can fulfill its intended function without using fossil fuels anywhere in the process. Currently, most eco-friendly design is in the position of merely reducing pollution to the environment, not altogether preventing it. And here lies the current goal of sustainable design: to create products and services that are not just eco-friendly, but eco-perfect.

Sustainable architecture is a form of sustainable design that focuses on creating buildings that function efficiently without the use of fossil fuels. From self-sustaining emergency lighting to eco-friendly building materials, sustainable design seeks to preserve the environment for future generations. For more information on how these signs can reduce costs and help the environment, head to GloBriteSystem.

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