Green Architecture & Design

Green buildings are designed, built and managed in a way that makes them as sustainable as possible, with minimal impact on the environment. There are hundreds of ways of making a house, a school or a commercial building green, but the best green buildings all include the following:

Why do people build green buildings? There are many benefits to green buildings and sustainable architecture. Construction costs may or may not be higher, but energy efficiency and water conservation mean green buildings and sustainable architecture are actually cheaper -- in the short run and the long run. Get the facts on green building benefits.

Green design has a reputation for being expensive. But designer Cindy Ojczyk, LEED AP, has a few suggestions on how to create a great green interior design on a budget.

Sick building syndrome describes a range of health problems that can occur to occupants of a particular home or office building. Sick building syndrome can be brought on by indoor air pollutants like mold, radon, smoke or any number of chemical pollutants. What can you do about sick building syndrome and indoor pollutants?

LED lights have many advantages over other kinds of lighting, including compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and other lighting technologies. Here are reasons to love LED lights, adapted from material provided by Polar-Ray LED Lighting Solutions.

The USGBC is a nonprofit organization responsible for developing and implementing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.

BusinessWeek magazine has for many years championed innovative and sustainable design as a competitive business strategy.

Celebrating the best in sustainable architecture, ArchitectureWeek presents a lively critique of green building design.

An excellent resource for architects and designers, BuildingGreen.com presents product reviews and case studies of contemporary sustainable architecture.

ADPSR, established in 1981, has focused much of its efforts on ecologically and socially responsible design and development.

Straw bale homes have been around for hundreds of years, but are now back on the green radar as a smart way to build sustainable homes and green buildings. Architects, contractors, designers and home owners are looking at straw bale houses for their great energy-saving potential and soundproofing, as well as the speed and ease of straw bale...

What are LEED-certified buildings -- and are they really green? The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification means that the construction of a home or commercial building is designed to save energy, water and other resources. But are all LEED buildings really green? Many architects and contractors say no.

The LEED certification process has come under fire for being expensive, cumbersome, and not doing enough to encourage the construction of buildings that are truly green and energy-conserving. What are the criticisms of LEED, and what has the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) done to address them?

The US Green Building Council, or USGBC, is a non-profit group dedicated to the development of cost-efficient, energy-saving green buildings. They are best known for their management of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program. What else does the USGBC do, and how effective is the LEED green building certification...

Bamboo floors have the look and hardness of hardwood floors, with the reputation of being a green, sustainable flooring option. But how green is bamboo flooring compared to other alternatives?

Xeriscape is a type of landscape design that emphasizes the use of drought-tolerant plants that need less water to thrive. But what does xeriscaping look like, and is a xeriscape landscape design a good idea for places like Florida, Texas, Colorado and California?

How can a tree help you save energy? A windbreak or even a single shade tree, if planted in the right place, can greatly reduce your home's electric bills. Learn how windbreaks and shade trees can save energy while beautifying your home.

Hiring a green architect is one of the first steps in constructing a green building. But how do you find a green architect or a green builder with real experience in sustainable architecture, and what questions should you ask before you sign a contract? Get the facts on hiring a green architect or a green builder.

Before you decide on a green builder or a green architect, it's important that you know what their professional credentials are in sustainable design and green architecture. Here's a list of questions to ask a green builder or green architect before you hire them.

Build green with these tips on getting started with green architecture and sustainable development. Information on green building materials, how to find a green architect or builder, LEED buildings and more.

Net-zero buildings and zero-energy buildings are the next wave of architecture since they are free of heating, cooling, electrical and other energy costs. Find out what makes a home or office a net-zero building.

A radon map reveals the areas where radon gas is highest. To understand how radon can affect your health, look at these radon facts and radon maps.

Indoor air quality is affected by asbestos, radon, carbon monoxide, mold and other kinds of indoor pollutants. Get the facts on air quality and health, sick building syndrome, healthy ventilation and indoor pollutants.

Some of the most innovative green building materials don't start as construction materials - they start as shipping containers. Creative architects are developing beautiful, elegant shipping container architecture. Take a look at these shipping container home plans.