Environmental sustainability has always been a unique topic, especially with so many homes and commercial properties aiming to be LEED certified. We delve into some really fun designs that showcase beautiful materials and clever use of sustainable elements culminating into functionality and great architecture that we can all be fascinated with. Have a look at some satisfying environmentally friendly properties that will leave you inspired to want to emulate some of the ideas featured here into your own home design, whether it be a new-build or a renovation project.
Deep in the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains, this stone-clad cabin was originally built as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s program to promote responsible land use. Spanning just 600 square feet, the historic retreat was reimagined over three years by Los Angeles-based Commune Design, whose principals drew from a rich mix […]
This off-the-grid contemporary home on Sidney Island, British Columbia, is the work of Blue Sky Architecture and may be the ultimate dream home for book lovers. Located at the southern end of the Gulf Islands, between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia, this 2,000-square-foot retreat was designed for a pair of Prairie bookstore owners who spend […]
This visually striking charred barn house, designed by MaMo Architects, is nestled on a 10-acre countryside property in West Chester, a borough and the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Contrasting heavy timber with concrete and steel, this barn combines modern and traditional construction methods. An honest, simple interior tells the story of how the […]
Bonin Architects & Associates has designed this spectacular lake house, surrounded by a lush forest and overlooking beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. The values exemplified in this home reflect the mindful clients who commissioned the design. Environmental sensitivity was a guiding principle in the project; everyone enjoyed a collaborative approach to materials research, resulting in […]
Situated just below the crown of a mountain top in the Beaverdam Valley neighborhood of Asheville, North Carolina, this net-zero home was designed for a couple of empty nesters by Wilson Two Architecture, along with Jade Mountain Builders. The Southcliff Residence was conceived from the outset to allow the owners and their family to connect as […]
Perched on a rocky knoll overlooking the vast expanse of Jervis Inlet, this off-grid retreat was reimagined by W O V E N Architecture and Design for its inhabitants, who were seeking a quiet escape from the intensity of urban life and a demanding career. The 967-square-foot cabin is nestled in Egmont, a small waterfront […]
CAST Architecture has designed this mountain-high, off-grid retreat, nestled on a private inholding within the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest near Leavenworth, Washington. The refuge was built to withstand abundant snowfall and extreme seasonal temperature swings. The cabin sits on an unwooded knoll to minimize impact on the existing site. Its design is pragmatic, durable, and energy […]
Altura Architects has created this fabulous mountain modern house overlooking Fontana Lake, nestled in the mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina. This LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified home integrates harmoniously with the surrounding Appalachian mountain setting. Boasting an understated exterior and a carefully selected material palette, this dwelling melds into the […]
CGModern Architecture has designed this spectacular modern mountain home that celebrates its natural surroundings, located in the Blue Mountain Estates, Golden, Colorado. Perched at the far edge of the property, this compact live-work home in the Colorado mountains frames life against the rugged beauty of its surroundings. The two-story structure separates work from home, with […]
MA Studios, together with Bishop Built Construction, has created this certified passive house, entitled “WPV Passive Haus,” in Grand County, Colorado. This home reaches close to zero energy loss thanks to building science through Emu Passive House Construction. The home’s extremely thick walls, windows, and doors, along with energy-efficiency considerations from foundation to roof, are […]
