What are the best ways to build sustainably within budget constraints? Writing for Buildipedia.com, Lisa Taylor asked several leading architects for insight on this timely issue. Their collective advice on building green on a budget is to return to the fundamentals of good design and choose climate-appropriate materials that offer a quick payback.

Back to Basics

…building green on a budget is as simple as returning to the roots of good architectural design. When you build things with a sense of craft and purpose, they are more frequently cared for and looked after, which makes them last longers. “Good, beautiful design is a large part of sustainability.

Site Matters

…site-specific design is perhaps the most effective means for building green on a budget. When you think about how homes were designed and built before we had modern technologies available, they were built with the site in mind From the initial home design, to the location of the site, to the materials used, homes were designed to maximize materials, views, and ventilation.

Choosing Efficient Materials

…typically aims for everything in the house to have a five- to seven-year payback. This generally rules out renewable energy systems and leads to energy-saving design techniques such as well placed overhangs, a thermally effective building envelope, and whole-house ventilation fans, which keep utility bills way below average.

Cost-Efficient Products

All Climates

Blown cellulose or foam insulation; recycled drywall; low-e (low-emissivity) windows; “right-sized” overhangs; properly sized HVAC systems; zero-VOC paints and adhesives; dual-flush toilets; low-flow fixtures; ceiling fans; CFL and LED lighting; CRI Green Label Plus carpeting; composite wood products with no urea-formaldehyde; and ENERGY STAR appliances.

Warm Climates

Solar water heaters; radiant barrier roof sheathing; and light, reflective, or white “cool” roofs

To read this article at Buildipedia.com, follow me »

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
•