| In today's world, it is important to make many | | | | releasing it slowly. By doing this, the interior |
| considerations when designing a home. Going | | | | temperature is kept more constant. Another good |
| green is vital to our future and today's sustainable | | | | feature is that these homes are fire and insect |
| design home plans reflect this need. | | | | resistant. |
| Sustainable home design is defined as the | | | | Adobe. A more familiar option is adobe, which is |
| philosophy of designing a home with its | | | | actually the name of the construction material |
| environment and services focused with emphasis | | | | rather than the design. These homes are typically |
| on economic, social and ecological responsibility | | | | found in dry climates and the bricks are made |
| providing a minimal environmental impact. | | | | with tightly compacted earth, clay, and straw. |
| When designing a sustainable home, it is an | | | | These natural components make this construction |
| integrated design process between the architect, | | | | eco-friendly. A similar style of sustainable home |
| engineers, and design team and of course, their | | | | design is a Cob House. Like adobe construction, |
| client at all stages on construction. From the site | | | | the materials comprise of clay-like lumps of soil, |
| selection, design formation, material selected and | | | | sand, and straw. However, this material is not |
| how they are procured on up to their | | | | made into bricks but can be sculpted into the |
| implementation. | | | | form desired. |
| The following are some options for sustainable | | | | Underground homes. These homes are also called |
| design home plans. These include some building | | | | Earth Sheltered Homes. These dwellings are |
| designs that have been in existence for quite a | | | | characterized by being located mostly under the |
| while and are now being reconsidered due to their | | | | surface of the ground. By being underground, the |
| beneficial nature. | | | | home has natural insulation, making it energy |
| Passive solar home. These homes can be heated | | | | efficient and inexpensive to heat and cool. Most |
| almost entirely by the sun or can have | | | | homes are located on a hillside with good drainage. |
| south-facing windows that provide a fraction of | | | | To provide more light, the windows may be |
| the heating. The key to designing a sustainable | | | | oriented in a south direction or a skylight may be |
| passive solar home is to take advantage of the | | | | added. |
| climate where you live and customize your home | | | | Whatever your choice for a sustainable design |
| to maximize its benefits. | | | | home plan, you are guaranteed a unique home |
| Earthships/Rammed Earth. An earthship house is | | | | with energy efficiency and character. You can be |
| made up of rammed earth and tires. When | | | | happy that your impact on the environment is |
| constructing this home, the tires are stacked like | | | | much less than with traditional wood-frame home |
| bricks with dirt packed in each tire firmly. Once | | | | construction. The eco-friendly nature of your |
| the tires are packed, they create a strong and | | | | home and the money saved in the long run make |
| quite thick wall. These walls help make these | | | | your choice to build a sustainable home the right |
| dwellings energy efficient by storing heat and | | | | one. |