Green Design

Requirements: 1 metal roof, 2500 gallons of rain, and the desire to save the planet

A video introduction to Portland's Green Homes Tour + Info Fair

Designed with reused materials, this entry for an active family makes use of every inch of space with hooks, cubbies, and lockers

Get an in-depth look at a near-zero energy house featuring recycled materials and solar-heating and rainwater-harvesting systems

Video tours and takeaways from Portland's Build It Green! 2008 event

Living off the fat of our water abundance must end, eventuallyby Art Ludwig

Take one energy expert, add questions, and get really smart answers

The time to think about the energy impact of an addition is before demolition beginsby John Jennings

Solar panels aside, you can’t see the upgrades that make this downtown remodel so energy efficientby Richard Renner

Learn how planting a roof can help fight global warmingby Richard Renner

HERS Index allows more latitude for recognizing reductions in energy consumptionby Tristan Korthals Altes

Voluntary Department of Energy program promotes and supports energy-efficient design and constructionby Chris Ermides

A contest-winning design squeezes a vaulted living room, a master suite, and room to breathe onto a pencil-thin lotby Roxana Vargas Greenan, Trent Greenan

Passive survivability is a life-safety issue. How long could you live in your house without power or fuel?by Alex Wilson

What sort of house can you build on a 25 ft. by 100 ft. lot? An architect walks you through her award-winning design.by Roxana Vargas Greenan

Reports from three case studies outline what it takes to achieve LEED for Home's silver, gold, and platinum ratingsby Sean Groom

LEED for Homes is a new, comprehensive national certification program for green, energy-efficient homes. Builders who’ve tried it like it, but will it change the way houses are built?by Sean Groom

An innovative solar-heating system is the foundation of an artist’s small country house, where an equally smart plan accommodates both life and workby Charles Miller

Common-sense solutions for creating homes that are self-reliant, resilient, and versatileby David Johnston, Scott Gibson