Everything You Need To Think About When Designing A Green Home

Design and Layout Considerations:

Consider creating a small footprint for the amount of square footage that you'd like to have -- stack it and use multiple stories.
Design efficiently to the specifications of your chosen green building materials to minimize construction waste.
Think about using square footage where it is most used and enjoyed, minimize space where it is unnecessary.
Use vaulted/higher ceilings, porches, and balconies to create the feel and appearance of a grand space without wasting extra material and square footage for heated interior space.
Block excessive solar heat gain by designing porches, balconies, awnings, and roof overhangs on all exposed southern and western walls.
Use operable, vented windows throughout the house for cross-ventilation to enjoy natural cooling and air circulation.
Let natural light reach every room, including closets, to reduce the home's lighting and energy requirements.

Heating and Cooling Considerations:

If at all possible, try to make the home's use of design and materials virtually eliminate the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
Design the refrigerated air and central furnace system duct work so that only the areas that are occupied, during either the day or night, are actively regulated. Place units on the roof to cut down on the collection of dust and dirt entering the unit and in turn cuts down on the amount entering the home’s air.
Place ceiling fans in most rooms to enhance natural air flow and temperature regulation.

Structural Material Considerations:

Think about including layer of reflective insulation with an R-10 insulation factor under the slab to block thermal bridging between the ground temperature and your concrete slab. This will increase energy efficiency and further seal up the home’s envelope.
A wall material like AAC, an aerated structural cement product provides both R-30 insulation and radiant thermal mass, while still "breathing" for healthier indoor air quality. It is also inert and totally non-toxic, has a superior fire rating and sound insulation properties, and is extremely solid and durable.
Using 10" block for the exterior walls and 6" block for the interior walls balances the desired R value while not over-consuming unnecessary material.
Think about double insulating the ceilings with R-49 insulation. You can achieve this easily by just doubling up and using an R-19 bat on top of the standard R-30 bat of insulation.
Consider using conventional cement stucco to allow the home to "breathe" for healthier indoor air quality.
For pitched roofs, use long-lasting cement tiles. For flat roofs, use durable heat-reflective rubber membrane.
Installing a recirculation pump on the water heater reduces unnecessary water waste.

Finish Material Considerations:

Consider hiring local craftsmen to create woodwork which is custom design and hand-crafted: Cabinetry, Doors, Shelving, and Furniture. The wood can be 100% locally sourced, reclaimed wood - requiring zero net energy to produce. It can be left untreated or sealed using a low VOC, water based sealant.
I LOVE interior finish plaster by "American Clay Company". It looks like a work of art on the walls, is a natural whole-house humidifier, is non-toxic, is made from recycled materials, and can even kill viruses and bacteria in the home.
Low-E windows throughout the house will improve unwanted heat exchange by 50% and eliminate UV damage to clothing, furniture, and carpeting.
Plumbing fixtures should all be "low flow" and toilets can be state-of-the-art, “super low flow”, using only .8 gallons per flush.
Solid surface floors are great when you look at using 100% bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource. Try those offered at "Ambient Bamboo" online.
Carpet can be extremely durable when laid on top of a lifetime pad which never needs replacing. It also always retains its memory and keeps dirt on the surface so that it can be easily removed from the carpeting.

Landscaping Considerations:

Installing septic systems which are state-of-the-art treatment units can naturally turn the entire home’s black and grey water into clean reuseable water for use in the garden.
A large holding tank can stores the reclaimed septic water to maximize its usefulness in the landscape.
Landscape design using a holistic approach called “Permaculture”, can creates lush oases by amending the soil, encouraging symbiotic plant and animal relationships, and making intelligent use of available water resources specific to each site.
Lastly, the home should have a great amount of attention to its interior and curb appeal, because beautiful, well-designed homes simply make us happy. And feeling happy in our green lifestyle is possibly the greenest aspect of all!

Learn more about designing a green home by hiring me as a green consultant.