As homeowners, architects, or builders, one of the best ways we can be good stewards of the environment is to build homes that use less natural resources, both in their construction and in their operation. There are some added benefits to doing this: Thoughtfully designed houses are are typically more comfortable, more durable, and more economical to build and live in. So whether you’re looking for ways to do your part to preserve and enjoy the natural world around you, or you just want to enjoy living in a better house, we’re sure you’ll find some inspiration in the following collection of articles and videos.

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  Design

  Exploiting the Elements of Passive Design

  This home uses five systems to reduce its environmental impact, lower its operating cost, and improve its connection to the land.

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  Design

  The Evolution of a Pretty Good House

  High-performance-home designer Michael Maines takes a detailed look at the new low-carbon edition of the grassroots building standard.

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  Design

  Building for a Changing Climate is a Necessity

  Architectural designer Marianne Cusato draws on her experience designing disaster-recovery homes to offer insight into climate-responsive housing development.

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  Design

  What’s the Definition of “Green Building”?

  Martin Holladay analyzes 10 factors for eco-friendly home design.

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  Design

  West Coast Solar

  Take a look inside this award winning California home that combines traditional passive-solar strategies with new-age materials.

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  Tools & Materials

  Making Passive House Mainstream

  Chris Corson says someone has to elevate American housing, and he’s ready for the job.

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  Design

  Living Lightly on the Whole Lot

  In a dense urban neighborhood, this remodeled bungalow goes green with recycled materials, solar energy, gray water, and room for the owners’ day jobs.

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  Design

  Stepping Off the Grid in Hill Country

  This Texas house borrows from the ground and the sky to achieve net-zero energy use and complete water independence.

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  In Favor of Wood-Fiber Insulation

  Learn about the benefits, properties, and installation methods of this unique insulation developed in Germany.

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  How-To

  A Case for Double-Stud Walls

  Straightforward construction, common materials, and low embodied carbon are just some of the benefits of this superinsulated assembly.

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  How-To

  The Evolution of Efficiency: Net Zero as the New Normal

  Experimentation and learning have led one builder to integrate energy-smart techniques into everyday construction.

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  Tools & Materials

  Cellulose: The Perfect Insulation

  Cost-effective, versatile, and green, cellulose may be the hardest-working insulation available.

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  Design

  What Are Passive Houses?

  These high-performance building standards and certification guidelines help architects and builders create comfortable, super-energy-efficient houses.

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  FHB Summit: How to Build Well, Simply

  Energy Nerd Martin Holladay presents a no-nonsense guide to minimizing costs and maximizing energy-efficiency when building a new home.

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  Climate Change for Builders: The Biggest Opportunity

  Faced with consequences equivalent to a giant asteroid set to hit the earth in 10 to 50 years, we designers and builders owe it to the future to do our part—and we need to start right now.

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  Design

  Extreme Green

  The world’s first Living Building Challenge–certified home is a study in integrated, sustainable design

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  Design

  Does Passive-solar Design Actually Save Energy?

  Do they result in energy savings, or am I just dragging around the stubborn legacy of my hippie past?