Green Daily

When I think of "green" architecture, I think of modern, clean lines and lots of windows but "building green" is a term that can mean anything from installing energy efficient heating systems to using recycled building materials. But what are some key green building techniques from the view of the architect? Robert Nebolon explores some of these innovations in a recent LA Times article.

One of the most important and obvious considerations in building a home is determining how it will be placed on a lot to ensure the best use of natural attributes like sunlight. It might even mean building near mature trees to take advantage of the shade in order to reduce cooling expenses.

The size of the building needs to be considered as well. I can only hope that the era of the McMansion is on the decline and that people are learning to build smarter and not live in fear of bumping into a family member during breakfast. Instead of giving rooms specific uses like formal dining rooms or parlors, rooms should be built to serve multiple functions.

Finally, architectural details can be added to help to cool a house or keep it warm. Skylights, transoms, windows and eaves can reduce cooling expense as well as mechanical dependence.

These are all things to consider when building a new home. You can even take advantage of these principles by simply planting a tree to shade your existing home and using heavy shades to block out the sun during the warmest parts of the day.