“The house does not rely on external technologies like photovoltaics, wind turbines, or solar thermal hot water systems; instead, its high performance is almost entirely a function of its design. At first glance, however, it is the aesthetics of the house that immediately set it apart. While it may be an example of cutting-edge green design, the Hudson Passive Project has the easy appearance of the old stone barns common to the region.”

via The Hudson Passive Project

via The Hudson Passive Project

FASA AG: “…supplied with more than 50% by solar energy. The ENERGETIKhaus100® is the most consistent solar house without oil, gas or heat pump system.”

via Sebastian Heise | batah.de
“In an intelligent interplay of solar architecture, large-scale solar thermal plant, a central long-term heat storage, massive ecological construction materials for insulation and are covered 90-100% of the heat demand for heating and hot water from the building by solar energy. The rest provides a stove with heat exchanger and also serves as a safety package – a solution with charm.”

via Sebastian Heise | batah.de

“The future owner of a ENERGETIKhaus100 ® save annually up to 3000 liters of heating oil or comparable amounts of gas or electricity. This not only saves money but also the environment and makes it independent of rising energy prices. The CO2 emissions of ENERGETIKhaus100® goes to zero. “Independent Living in Style” is the motto of the house owner.”

Located in Oberwiesenthal Saxony Germany.

via Revelantions

via Revelantions

via Metaphys House

Reclaimed Space is about constructive building. We’re focused on reversing the impact new building is having on our natural environment, resources and society. Achieving this goal starts with providing alternative energy capabilities and fully sustainable living, while building with reclaimed materials. Along with our commitment to forward-thinking and eco-responsibility, Reclaimed Spaces are always visually appealing and affordable.

Harpoon House designer, Matt Kirkpatrick: The average size of a single-family house in the U.S. was 983 square feet in 1950. The average size in 2004 was 2,349 square feet. Harpoon House features 704 square feet of living space and 448 square feet of unconditioned basement.

Harpoon House was designed to encourage a fluid relationship between indoor and outdoor living. Yes, it does rain a lot in Oregon. But for the record, Portland’s average yearly rainfall is less than Seattle, New York or Houston.

No conventional roofs were used in the making of this house. Harpoon House is topped with of 433 square feet of ecoroof. Soil and plants instead of tar paper and asphalt shingles. The verdant rooftop will help the house stay cool in the summer months and absorb run-off in the rainy months. Why aren’t more roofs green?

via Hammer & Hand

Reza Aliabadi: The Shaft House is an unexpected and exciting spatial experience that survives the limits of our ordinary living spaces. The two and a half storey detached house reevaluates functional arrangements within a narrow building while creating bright and airy spaces. Affordability is a value that the building successfully owns by integrating well thought low-cost strategies in the design process; from purchasing a modest lot of about 20 feet wide to choosing sustainable and cost efficient materials. Aluminum siding, untreated wood and recyclable rusted steel for the exterior of the house not only help reduce the costs of the design but t also tried to make a statement on organic behaviors of buildings by changing color while aging along with the house.

via Reza Aliabadi

Dwell: Architect Lloyd Russell’s design for this desert getaway passively mitigates the elements with a utilitarian solution, turning a modest modern retreat into a hardy, region-appropriate home.

via Lloyd Russell

via John Mcleod Architect