There has been an explosion of interest in going green. Everything from cars to light bulbs are being pushed to new levels of efficiency. New industries are cropping up, it seems, on a daily basis.

But what about buildings; office buildings and schools in particular. These are the places that we spend most of our waking hours, and where we consume most of the energy. (more…)

The plans indicate that the home would be set into the ground and seamlessly fit into the surrounding moorland. The house which has been 3 years in the planning will be built in the grounds of Gary’s current mansion and is thought to be his dream home.

Whilst many footballers have a reputation for garish design choices it seems Gary and his family are taking the issues of going green very seriously demonstrated by being prepared to spend a speculated £6 million on the proposed development. At 8000 square feet the eco home will have a huge kitchen at the centre from which other living spaces will spider off. Architect have analogised the proposals to that of a modern day Stone Age settlement. Rather cruelly some have also likened it to the home of the Teletubbies! (more…)

As more and more homeowners become aware about protecting our environment and the green building concept, builders, designers and architects are now incorporating green elements in every home that is built. With the advancement in technology and the emergence of modern building concepts, homeowners can now integrate these green elements without sacrificing the overall appeal of their dream homes.

Despite the heightened interest by various sectors about the green building concept, many homeowners still don’t have a clear understanding of what constitutes a green home and how such type of structures are built. An environmentally friendly home has beneficial effects on the health and overall well-being of your family. It is also a financially sound option. (more…)

Many companies claim that their products and services are “the future”. But no one has more of a right to this claim than companies in the green building industry. As we all know, the industrial practices of the 20th century have significantly compromised the environment in more ways than one, necessitating a change in the way that we regard the environment on both a personal and public level. On a personal level, many of us choose to support the environment by participating in recycling and buying non-toxic products. But on a public level, we often choose to stick with old, unsafe building practices because a changing of the guard would require more time and money than we care to invest.

However, we often fail to consider that implementing sustainable design in new and existing buildings will do more than preserve the environment; it will also save us money. Although implementing green designs can cost more up front, the lower operating costs that they bring can easily offset the initial investment, and then some. For example, if implementing an energy efficient water system costs $24,000 more than implementing a traditional system but we end up cutting our water bill by $2,200 a month, then the entire additional investment is returned in one year and after that all of the return is pure profit.. (more…)

In Austin these days, like in a lot of the country, people are going green with their building practices. There is a much bigger emphasis being placed on energy efficiency and things of that nature, so construction companies are hopping on board and doing their part. So what are these green trends that we should be keeping an eye on? In order to get LEED certification, builders have to follow some of the standards set forth in terms of securing the home and using the proper materials. Builders are going a little bit further than that right now, though. They are building homes with a great “green” consciousness than ever before.

One of the ways that construction companies in Austin are going green is through their choice in bathroom accessories. When you are building a bathroom, you have some options in terms of putting together an energy-efficient setup. Many builders are choosing to spend a little bit more and install smart toilets that save water. These toilets look a lot like the old ones that most people are used to, but the difference is that they recognize exactly how much water is necessary to get the job done with each flush. This has helped a lot in areas where water scarcity is an issue during the hotter months. (more…)