Many factors go into eco-friendly building design.  LED lighting and high efficiency heating equipment save energy, but the design of the buildings themselves can have an effect on energy usage as well.   Below, are some of our favorite design ideas.  Here at T.A.B. Design Architects in Geneseo, NY we are committed to a combination of Green Design and beautiful aesthetics.   Good design should be functional, beautiful and energy efficient.  These ideas and more are what we apply to both commercial and home design.

5 Ideas For Green Building Design

1. The Building and the Site - Connection to the World Outside

How a building is placed on the land can very much affect its energy use.  South facing windows with generous overhangs allow solar heat gain during the colder months that also provide shade for the windows in the summer. Entrances that face prevailing winter winds can be difficult to keep warm.  These, and many other factors, should all be considered when deciding how a building is placed on the site.

2. Windows

Not all windows are created equal. Efficient sealed insulated units are required by code, but another major factor is air leakage also known as infiltration.  Cold winds blow and can rob your home or office of warmth and money.   Casement and Awning windows seal better than Double Hung units. Also, low E glass and /or triple glazing, while initially more costly, over time helps reduce energy consumption and money.

3. Insulation and Sealing

Generous amounts of insulation really do help keep the cold out.  Proper sealing, around windows, lights and outlets on exterior walls is also an important factor to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your home.

4. Materials Matter

Using locally sourced and eco-friendly materials with recycled content reduces your structure’s negative impact on the environment. Shipping products and materials adds to energy consumption.  Using locally produced components also supports the local economy. Eco-friendly building design starts with raw materials, so a building can’t be truly environmentally friendly if it doesn’t use materials that are sustainable.

5. Building Smaller and Smarter with Better Design

There’s no way around it.  Smaller structures make for a more eco-friendly buildings than large ones. Smaller buildings, by using fewer materials, naturally cost less to build.

T.A.B. Design Architects in Geneseo, NY specializes in green architecture and superior design. Upstate NY residents trust us for unique, elegant building designs for both commercial and residential spaces that have a minimal impact on the earth. Please call (585) 243-7710 to learn more about our 27 years of design experience, or visit the website to learn more about the Architectural services we offer.