architecture 4 us

Green Home Design of Elm By Randy Brown Architects

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 10:27 PM PST

This green home design was made by Randy Brown Architects as the problem’s solution of creating a sustainable, modern, and affordable house having the same price as a homebuilder house with comparable square footage. It is called Elm, a modular designed house, located in suburban Omaha. Twelve homes have been designed.

The 12 environment friendly homes were designed as suburban houses. Usually these type of houses are looked identical, and offer minimum customization option to the owner by the choice of carpet, paint, and occasionally the trim options for the kitchen millwork. Plan options are very few.

The area, a site in the first sprawl ring of Omaha, Nebraska, provides a great views and environmental condition with its quiet creek, landscape, and existing drainage patterns. The planning considered the nature stewardship.

Some sustainable features are offered, including bamboo flooring, cement fiber board, native grasses which don’t need irrigation, 1" low-e insulated glass, and also natural lighting. Recycled materials were used, such as recycled cedar fencing for the central stair that reflect the rural home, contrasts to the modern furniture collections. Permeable pavings are used to control the land water permeability. Sustainable green roof are also available.

The green house design involves renewable energy usage, such as geothermal energy for the radiant heater and photovoltaic panels. For the water management system, there are also grey water and rainwater collection systems. Lighting were chosen carefully, using compact fluorescent lights. Other energy star appliances are also available.