Responsible environmental stewardship isn’t a concept only embraced by a fringe group of tree-hugging radicals. Caring for the environment and living responsibly and sustainably has gone mainstream. People are increasingly realizing that humanity has jeopardized the environment. But while there is no one silver-bullet solution to undo all the damage, that doesn’t mean that change can’t come in small steps. One step is to construct more eco-friendly homes.
How does an architect go about designing homes that are more environmentally friendly? Consider the following four recommendations to build more sustainable homes.
1. Build it Only as Big as it Needs to Be
Did you know that size of the average house in the U.S. is 2,500 square feet? Depending on the family in question, that might be too small or too large. But there’s no denying that many people live in homes that are larger than they need to be. What does that mean? Families living in homes that are bigger than necessary will pay more for cooling, heating, flooring, roofing, and other things. Some families could easily downsize and suffer no inconvenience by doing so.
People can be more environmentally friendly by getting right-sized homes for themselves and their families. That’s where architects come in. Architects can help their clients design appropriately sized homes. The house should be large enough for people to live comfortably — without feeling like sardines in a tin. Homes that are sized just right will require less utility power, cut down on consumption, and lower the carbon footprint.
2. Use Green Building Materials
Another way to build more eco-friendly homes is to use green building materials in the building process. Whether building something from the ground up or conducting a remodeling project, you can ensure homes are more sustainable using sustainable products. Consider using materials constructed from renewable sources and natural materials.
If a client wants to build a sustainable home and rent it out for passive income, a property management firm can help make that dream a reality. It can source sustainable materials whenever it comes time for maintenance and repairs. The property manager will also have a network of contractors they work with to retain service providers committed to being responsible stewards of the environment.
3. Consider a Green Roof
Another way to build more environmentally friendly homes is by incorporating green roofs. What is a green roof? They’re roofs with vegetation sections like grass, trees, produce, and shrubs. A green roof helps regulate interior temperature, cleans the air, leads to biodiversity, and lessens ambient temperature. You can incorporate a green roof, whether a single-family dwelling or an apartment building. It’s a trend that’s been picking up steam in recent years. A green roof is worth considering when designing sustainable homes.
4. Add Native Landscaping
Another consideration, if you want to build sustainable housing, is to consider the landscaping, which is an extension of the home itself. Both the interior and the exterior should be considered if the goal is to create homes that are more eco-friendly and sustainable.
When working on landscaping, it’s a good idea to use elements common to the region. So, implement flowers, trees, grass, and shrubs native to the area. By doing so, you can encourage biodiversity, benefit wildlife, and more.
These are some recommendations to consider if the goal is to design and build more sustainable homes. Sustainable housing is a trend, and there’s a lot of runway ahead. It’s definitely not one of those trends that’ll fizzle out and disappear.
Incorporating some of these ideas will help any architect or homebuilder to help people looking for sustainable homes.
