Green building, which uses sustainable materials and practices, has lost the whiff of patchouli it had long ago. Now it just makes sense. Solar panels, natural shading, green roofs, and ultra-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units reduce or eliminate electric bills. Even the materials are low-impact: bamboo for flooring, water-based paints that don't offgas, and recycled glass for countertops. It's an era when "LEED-certified" is becoming a familiar phrase and the small house movement is featured on Oprah. Happily, we've reached a point where it's an unfair task to narrow the list of great sustainably-built buildings to 10. With that in mind, sustainability writer Jeff Binder and green building expert David Johnston offer their ideas for a diverse green-built sampler:
1. Yale University Sculpture Building and Gallery
The American Institute of Architects named this lantern-like educational complex in New Haven, Conn., one of their green project winners for 2008. Built by KieranTimberlake Associates, the complex achieved LEED platinum certification for its conservation features, which include rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, local products, recycled materials and reclaimed cedar.
2. Lusby Tiny House
Jay Shafer founded the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company after deciding to build a 96-square-foot house for himself. His design plans for small homes range from around 65 to 700 square feet, requiring few resources. Shafer only spent $170 to heat his house in Iowa for an entire winter. The Lusby house plan is 117 square feet, but looks far roomier, and can be constructed with energy-efficient green materials.
3. Conover Commons Cottages
The cohousing movement is increasingly popular. With community fostering in mind, Ross Chapin Architects worked with developer the Cottage Company to create a 12-cottage neighborhood that received Energy Star certification and a four-star rating from the Washington-based Built Green organization. In addition to looking charming, the cottages have a commons building for potlucks and gatherings that is 100 percent solar-powered.
4. Solar Umbrella Home
Architects Larry Scarpa and Angela Pugh are known for clean modern designs that contain industrial elements but are still welcoming. Their solar-powered home in Venice, Calif., was no exception. The couple renovated their 1923 house to maximize daylight, recycle rainwater, and use as little energy as possible without sacrificing aesthetics. When the panels produce more electricity than they need, it goes into the Los Angeles grid.
5. Building X, Forbes Condos
A new condo development is rising at the water's edge in Chelsea, Mass., just outside of Boston. The developer, Urban Design and Development, committed to smart growth principles, such as preserving building structures instead of demolishing them. The 68-unit Building X, first constructed in 1923, is naturally cool without air conditioning. The lofts there range from $250,000 to $440,000 and can be financed through a green mortgage that takes energy savings into account. This vision for modern commuters includes community-owned electric cars, water taxi service and a 165-foot-tall wind turbine to power both the condos and the cars.
