Sustainable Home Solutions That Are Inspiring Pros
Design and building pros around the world share sustainable architecture and construction approaches that excite them
Julia Bolotina
April 23, 2021
International Associate Editor at Houzz
Environmental challenges can sometimes feel insurmountable, but sustainable development doesn’t stand still. While we still have a long way to go, there have been a lot of environmentally friendly developments in architecture and construction.
“In my opinion, sustainability is less about one or two ‘amazing’ products or services — rather a collection of small-scale interventions that when put together can have a significant impact,” says Angus Eitel of England-based firm Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors. Best of all, these kinds of interventions are often more than just research in the lab. They offer real ways to incorporate sustainability into your next project.
We asked Houzz professionals around the world to tell us about some of the sustainable solutions they find exciting.
“In my opinion, sustainability is less about one or two ‘amazing’ products or services — rather a collection of small-scale interventions that when put together can have a significant impact,” says Angus Eitel of England-based firm Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors. Best of all, these kinds of interventions are often more than just research in the lab. They offer real ways to incorporate sustainability into your next project.
We asked Houzz professionals around the world to tell us about some of the sustainable solutions they find exciting.
The back of this home by Michele Perlini faces south to minimize energy loss from the extensive glass.
Passive Design and Architectural Context
Both Eitel and Australian architect Rebecca Naughtin stress the importance of paying attention to the orientation and context of a build to leverage passive heating and cooling. For Eitel, this amounts to “the opportunity for free energy savings.”
“The increased understanding of the nuances of site orientation and existing conditions is an exciting development that is leading to buildings that perform well and respect their context and local vernacular,” Naughtin says. “An understanding of wind directions can also increase the effect of cross ventilation for passive cooling and reduce additional energy consumption.”
Passive Design and Architectural Context
Both Eitel and Australian architect Rebecca Naughtin stress the importance of paying attention to the orientation and context of a build to leverage passive heating and cooling. For Eitel, this amounts to “the opportunity for free energy savings.”
“The increased understanding of the nuances of site orientation and existing conditions is an exciting development that is leading to buildings that perform well and respect their context and local vernacular,” Naughtin says. “An understanding of wind directions can also increase the effect of cross ventilation for passive cooling and reduce additional energy consumption.”
This home by Sola Architecture Design in Japan, built on passive principles, is a certified low-carbon house.
Mariko Eto of Japanese firm Sola Architecture Design agrees. “Performance [in accordance with Passive House standards] can greatly reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions in buildings, which are said to make up 30% of the total” global energy-related emissions.
Eitel also highlights another significant aspect of passive architecture: its fabric-first approach to the building envelope, which focuses on a high level of insulation and airtight construction.
Naughtin notes that these techniques are best incorporated at the start of a project.
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Mariko Eto of Japanese firm Sola Architecture Design agrees. “Performance [in accordance with Passive House standards] can greatly reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions in buildings, which are said to make up 30% of the total” global energy-related emissions.
Eitel also highlights another significant aspect of passive architecture: its fabric-first approach to the building envelope, which focuses on a high level of insulation and airtight construction.
Naughtin notes that these techniques are best incorporated at the start of a project.
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This home by Thomas Dauber presents a new model of living for the elderly. It includes a heat pump and thermally insulated wood.
Insulation and Thermal Efficiency
This goes hand in hand with a number of innovations in thermal efficiency and insulation. In terms of materials, there are steady improvements in insulation — such as better insulation at reduced thicknesses — and thermal efficiency in windows, such as the triple panes now being widely used, Eitel says. “We have recently been learning about ‘aerogel insulation’ which is an ultra-high-performance insulation suitable for walls, floors, roofs and is ideal for retrofits and refurbishment where thickness is critical and only very thin insulation can be used.”
Is this available for renovations? “Achieving high levels of insulation, airtightness, etc. is reasonably straightforward on new builds and extensions, but less so on refurbishment projects,” Eitel says.
Italian architect Maria Elisa Villa talks about nanotechnologies, which create sustainable and effective products, for example thermal plasters. While these products are already on the market, Villa notes that they may not be well-known, even among professionals.
German architect Thomas Dauber highlights how more traditional materials can be used the same way. He notes that wood-frame buildings require thinner walls than stone builds for insulation and that cellulose or natural wool insulation can keep a wood-framed building warm even at depths of only 8 inches.
Insulation and Thermal Efficiency
This goes hand in hand with a number of innovations in thermal efficiency and insulation. In terms of materials, there are steady improvements in insulation — such as better insulation at reduced thicknesses — and thermal efficiency in windows, such as the triple panes now being widely used, Eitel says. “We have recently been learning about ‘aerogel insulation’ which is an ultra-high-performance insulation suitable for walls, floors, roofs and is ideal for retrofits and refurbishment where thickness is critical and only very thin insulation can be used.”
Is this available for renovations? “Achieving high levels of insulation, airtightness, etc. is reasonably straightforward on new builds and extensions, but less so on refurbishment projects,” Eitel says.
Italian architect Maria Elisa Villa talks about nanotechnologies, which create sustainable and effective products, for example thermal plasters. While these products are already on the market, Villa notes that they may not be well-known, even among professionals.
German architect Thomas Dauber highlights how more traditional materials can be used the same way. He notes that wood-frame buildings require thinner walls than stone builds for insulation and that cellulose or natural wool insulation can keep a wood-framed building warm even at depths of only 8 inches.
This hybrid wood-and-concrete construction by German firm HI Architektur features a brine heat pump with a hot water cylinder. The electricity comes from photovoltaic panels on the roof.
Heating
Heating and climatic comfort are of course some of the biggest challenges for passive design, so it’s no wonder that several of the professionals we interviewed highlighted innovations in this area.
Eto notes solar thermal hot water boilers or pellet stoves.
Daisuke Sanada of Suwa Architects + Engineers focuses on the theory of exergy, which analyzes how less-efficient energy sources (such as heat from the sun) can be used to sustainably heat homes. “The results can be used to optimize roof and window design, planting choices, and heating and cooling systems to create buildings with minimal environmental impact,” he says.
Radiant heating is especially relevant now. “In a thermal environment using radiant heat, it is not the air, but the surface temperature of the walls and floors in the room that is important. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the importance of ventilation is gaining attention, and the thermal environment using radiant heat from exergy design will become very important,” he says.
Heating
Heating and climatic comfort are of course some of the biggest challenges for passive design, so it’s no wonder that several of the professionals we interviewed highlighted innovations in this area.
Eto notes solar thermal hot water boilers or pellet stoves.
Daisuke Sanada of Suwa Architects + Engineers focuses on the theory of exergy, which analyzes how less-efficient energy sources (such as heat from the sun) can be used to sustainably heat homes. “The results can be used to optimize roof and window design, planting choices, and heating and cooling systems to create buildings with minimal environmental impact,” he says.
Radiant heating is especially relevant now. “In a thermal environment using radiant heat, it is not the air, but the surface temperature of the walls and floors in the room that is important. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the importance of ventilation is gaining attention, and the thermal environment using radiant heat from exergy design will become very important,” he says.
Illustration of a ground-source heat pump from Harvest Cornwall
Eitel also agrees that ventilation is a big issue particularly with COVID-19. “We are increasingly installing ventilation systems such as MVHR, which exchanges the heat from the extracted stale air with the fresh air coming in, ensuring an optimum temperature through the property and clean air,” he says.
These do have their drawbacks, however. “Air-source heat pumps are now the ‘go to’ in terms of energy creation — for heating and hot water — for residential use. However, while [they are] more expensive, ground-source heat pumps do offer an alternative without the concerns of noise and visual intrusion.”
Italian architect Michele Perlini points to an emerging new technology: “I would talk about the new hydrogen heaters that warm up domestic environments thanks to a catalytic reaction, without a flame and without CO₂ emissions. This takes place at a temperature of about [572 degrees Fahrenheit] and does not form harmful nitrogen oxides. The only waste product of the reaction is water vapor, with no emissions of carbon dioxide or polluting waste, and this can be safely released into the atmosphere.”
Eitel also agrees that ventilation is a big issue particularly with COVID-19. “We are increasingly installing ventilation systems such as MVHR, which exchanges the heat from the extracted stale air with the fresh air coming in, ensuring an optimum temperature through the property and clean air,” he says.
These do have their drawbacks, however. “Air-source heat pumps are now the ‘go to’ in terms of energy creation — for heating and hot water — for residential use. However, while [they are] more expensive, ground-source heat pumps do offer an alternative without the concerns of noise and visual intrusion.”
Italian architect Michele Perlini points to an emerging new technology: “I would talk about the new hydrogen heaters that warm up domestic environments thanks to a catalytic reaction, without a flame and without CO₂ emissions. This takes place at a temperature of about [572 degrees Fahrenheit] and does not form harmful nitrogen oxides. The only waste product of the reaction is water vapor, with no emissions of carbon dioxide or polluting waste, and this can be safely released into the atmosphere.”
This Victorian house from Ecospheric was retrofitted to comply with Passivhaus standards and includes photovoltaics and a heat recovery system (MVHR).
Energy Storage
Several of the professionals we spoke to highlighted energy storage as a major roadblock to sustainable energy management. “Electricity storage has been described as the holy grail of the renewables industry. It is very difficult and expensive to store electricity. … Storage can be achieved with the installation of batteries. The Tesla Powerwall has been available for a while, but other solutions are now available and the price is coming down,” Eitel says. Mariko Eto sees this as one of the keys to expanding domestic electricity generation.
Eitel notes that heating technologies, like the ground-source heat pumps he mentioned above, face similar challenges. “There is plenty of surplus heat on summer days, but the peak demand for heating comes on winter nights.” One exciting solution is seasonal thermal energy storage, which uses Interseasonal Heat Transfer. The key element is the Thermal Bank. “A Thermal Bank is used to store warm temperatures over a very large volume of earth for a period of months, as distinct from a standard heat store which can hold a high temperature for a short time in an insulated tank,” Eitel says.
Of course, when talking about energy storage, the batteries themselves pose environmental challenges, “Both in their manufacture — using lithium for example — but also their disposal,” Eitel says. “While not yet readily available, the use of phase change materials for energy storage is being developed, which will reduce the reliance on batteries.”
Energy Storage
Several of the professionals we spoke to highlighted energy storage as a major roadblock to sustainable energy management. “Electricity storage has been described as the holy grail of the renewables industry. It is very difficult and expensive to store electricity. … Storage can be achieved with the installation of batteries. The Tesla Powerwall has been available for a while, but other solutions are now available and the price is coming down,” Eitel says. Mariko Eto sees this as one of the keys to expanding domestic electricity generation.
Eitel notes that heating technologies, like the ground-source heat pumps he mentioned above, face similar challenges. “There is plenty of surplus heat on summer days, but the peak demand for heating comes on winter nights.” One exciting solution is seasonal thermal energy storage, which uses Interseasonal Heat Transfer. The key element is the Thermal Bank. “A Thermal Bank is used to store warm temperatures over a very large volume of earth for a period of months, as distinct from a standard heat store which can hold a high temperature for a short time in an insulated tank,” Eitel says.
Of course, when talking about energy storage, the batteries themselves pose environmental challenges, “Both in their manufacture — using lithium for example — but also their disposal,” Eitel says. “While not yet readily available, the use of phase change materials for energy storage is being developed, which will reduce the reliance on batteries.”
Sawmill House, in Victoria, Australia, by design studio Archier, explores the possibility of leveraging the concrete that goes to waste each year. It is comprised of 270 1-ton concrete blocks.
Recycling, Repurposing and Cradle to Cradle
Recycling has always been part of the conversation, and professionals point us to exciting developments.
On a small scale, French architect Tina Merkes points to the increased availability of furniture made of recycled construction features such as cabinetry or upcycled windows.
On a larger scale, several architects highlighted developments in life-cycle thinking when it comes to home construction as a whole. “There is a growing ‘movement’ supporting the need to recycle, reuse, repurpose existing buildings rather than demolition and rebuild. The latter is often favorable with the VAT [value added tax] benefits [in the U.K.] In my opinion 0% VAT should be applied to existing buildings, not new build,” Eitel says.
Australian architect Naughtin says, “Developments in building life-cycle analysis and material ‘passport’ technology is the next exciting step for a circular material economy.”
German architect Jürgen Lehmeier of büro für bauform notes that sometimes what’s necessary is a different approach to the materials we already have. “Sustainable building also means keeping materials cycling. The CO2 balance of steel is always seen negatively, because only the manufacturing process is examined. What’s missed in this approach is that steel can be used over and over again and is absolutely sustainable from this point of view.”
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Recycling, Repurposing and Cradle to Cradle
Recycling has always been part of the conversation, and professionals point us to exciting developments.
On a small scale, French architect Tina Merkes points to the increased availability of furniture made of recycled construction features such as cabinetry or upcycled windows.
On a larger scale, several architects highlighted developments in life-cycle thinking when it comes to home construction as a whole. “There is a growing ‘movement’ supporting the need to recycle, reuse, repurpose existing buildings rather than demolition and rebuild. The latter is often favorable with the VAT [value added tax] benefits [in the U.K.] In my opinion 0% VAT should be applied to existing buildings, not new build,” Eitel says.
Australian architect Naughtin says, “Developments in building life-cycle analysis and material ‘passport’ technology is the next exciting step for a circular material economy.”
German architect Jürgen Lehmeier of büro für bauform notes that sometimes what’s necessary is a different approach to the materials we already have. “Sustainable building also means keeping materials cycling. The CO2 balance of steel is always seen negatively, because only the manufacturing process is examined. What’s missed in this approach is that steel can be used over and over again and is absolutely sustainable from this point of view.”
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This farmhouse, restored by Ora Architetti, uses local wood and stone, and includes solar panels and wood-fiber insulation. Stone from sections the team tore down was reused in the build, and the home includes traditional architectural features.
Natural Materials and Traditional Techniques
In fact, many of the professionals we spoke to recommended a look back at existing or modified natural materials and traditional techniques. “Natural materials are healthy and wholesome, they insulate in an excellent way from both heat and cold, and above all they let our homes, which are our third skin, breathe” says Italian architect Roberta Tredici of Archingreen.
Tredici points out that in this way, both new projects and updates to existing builds can be sustainable. There are natural paints that use products such as eggs, milk, linseed oil and terra cotta and pigments of vegetable origin such as charcoal and walnut husk. And some plasters, flooring and finishes can reduce indoor pollution and heal a living environment with minimal intervention, she says.
Natural Materials and Traditional Techniques
In fact, many of the professionals we spoke to recommended a look back at existing or modified natural materials and traditional techniques. “Natural materials are healthy and wholesome, they insulate in an excellent way from both heat and cold, and above all they let our homes, which are our third skin, breathe” says Italian architect Roberta Tredici of Archingreen.
Tredici points out that in this way, both new projects and updates to existing builds can be sustainable. There are natural paints that use products such as eggs, milk, linseed oil and terra cotta and pigments of vegetable origin such as charcoal and walnut husk. And some plasters, flooring and finishes can reduce indoor pollution and heal a living environment with minimal intervention, she says.
Architect Tina Merkes chose materials for this project with health in mind.
Maria Elisa Villa agrees. “For me, wood, wood fiber, cork, lime and clay and resin paints are always innovative.” Italian architect Fulvio Claudio Melle of Melle-Metzen Architects likewise advocates the strong reduction of the use of chemicals in building materials, in favor of “insulating materials based on vegetable fibers, wool, mineral-based dyes or deriving from casein, low-emissive glues,” for example.
Dauber is a proponent of wood construction, though concrete or stone builds are more common in Germany. He notes that wood is a renewable resource, acts as a heat sink and can be recycled relatively easily.
When it comes to traditional natural materials and techniques, Villa notes that the challenge is rather in finding tradespeople who can work with natural materials, as there is a preference for quick and easy industrial replacements. She notes that these skills are often maintained in fine art conservation, rather than construction, and it is therefore the labor costs, rather than the materials themselves, that make these approaches expensive, at least in Italy.
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Maria Elisa Villa agrees. “For me, wood, wood fiber, cork, lime and clay and resin paints are always innovative.” Italian architect Fulvio Claudio Melle of Melle-Metzen Architects likewise advocates the strong reduction of the use of chemicals in building materials, in favor of “insulating materials based on vegetable fibers, wool, mineral-based dyes or deriving from casein, low-emissive glues,” for example.
Dauber is a proponent of wood construction, though concrete or stone builds are more common in Germany. He notes that wood is a renewable resource, acts as a heat sink and can be recycled relatively easily.
When it comes to traditional natural materials and techniques, Villa notes that the challenge is rather in finding tradespeople who can work with natural materials, as there is a preference for quick and easy industrial replacements. She notes that these skills are often maintained in fine art conservation, rather than construction, and it is therefore the labor costs, rather than the materials themselves, that make these approaches expensive, at least in Italy.
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This home by Spanish architect Marià Castelló was built with natural materials and passive techniques despite its limited budget.
Accessibility
Of course, the best innovations in the world are useless if no one can access them. “For us, sustainability has always been not only environmental but also economic. This is why we believe in green buildings that are not excessively expensive but which, thanks to knowledgeable and competent suppliers, can be within everyone’s reach,” Tredici says.
French interior designer Mayssa El Fakir of French interior design firm Ouvrage agrees. “At my level, as an interior designer, what I think has changed the most in the last few years in terms of sustainable development is access to vintage furniture. For years, it was reserved to people who had the time, who knew how to bargain hunt and who got up early on Sunday mornings to go to flea markets. But today, platforms have developed that make vintage goods accessible.”
“Healthy (VOC-free) materials are another thing that has developed a lot over the last few years,” Fakir says. “Before, this was only available in luxury paints and today, more and more accessible brands are launching them. The market is ready and is growing a lot.”
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Accessibility
Of course, the best innovations in the world are useless if no one can access them. “For us, sustainability has always been not only environmental but also economic. This is why we believe in green buildings that are not excessively expensive but which, thanks to knowledgeable and competent suppliers, can be within everyone’s reach,” Tredici says.
French interior designer Mayssa El Fakir of French interior design firm Ouvrage agrees. “At my level, as an interior designer, what I think has changed the most in the last few years in terms of sustainable development is access to vintage furniture. For years, it was reserved to people who had the time, who knew how to bargain hunt and who got up early on Sunday mornings to go to flea markets. But today, platforms have developed that make vintage goods accessible.”
“Healthy (VOC-free) materials are another thing that has developed a lot over the last few years,” Fakir says. “Before, this was only available in luxury paints and today, more and more accessible brands are launching them. The market is ready and is growing a lot.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
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mcgri0, I know what you mean! Here in Iowa building in some places is so fast and so competitive, unfortunately the end product is shameful! Our son is a home energy performance consultant/technician. He is called upon to look at and "fix" relatively new homes! As long as the general public remains uneducated about thee most expensive investment of their lives, contractors will continue to rip off the new home buyer/builder! :-(
❤️❤️❤️🤓
Greta to see this article! I’m interested to hear more about home heating especially. Also, for storage and Evs, Batteries are increasingly recyclable and long lasting. With all the misinformation that naysayers sling around, this up to date article could be more specific.