5 modern green homes

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Those of us who were around for the green movement in the 1970’s might recall the OPEC oil embargo, standing in line for gasoline, and recognizing Earth Day. The energy crisis at that time introduced us to the notion that our quality of life was directly tied to our dwindling natural resources. Unfortunately, most of us soon forgot the seriousness of the problem. The price of gasoline dropped and we once again started driving the gas guzzlers and constructing homes with minimal attention paid to energy efficiency.

So, here we are, 41 years later, confronted with even more serious concerns regarding our environment and our economy. Fortunately, consumers are much better educated this time around. Although research shows that many of our potential clients are still cautious about investing in sustainable design, there’s no doubt that we must move forward rapidly to create homes that address the public’s growing awareness and concern. We must strive to design houses that are efficient and frugal, and, more importantly, houses that will be appreciated now and well into the future. After all, that’s the real definition of sustainability — buildings that continue to be appealing and practical for years to come. In other words, we must build homes that will always be worth saving.

This month, our House Review design team presents five cutting-edge concepts in energy-efficient green design, from an award-winning traditional home with innovative energy-saving features to several fresh designs, each with very simple and straightforward elements.

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