Hawk House in Big Sur – Passive Solar Micro Cabin for Simple People
If you ever tried to book a reservation in Big Sur, California then you know first hand how scarce and expensive accommodations there can be. If you really love the…
Beauty and Brains Build a Seductively Efficient Building in Fayetteville
Kristin Musgnug, an art Professor at the University of Arkansas and independent painter, wanted to extend her favored mix of beauty and brains to the construction of a self-sufficient home.…
Qatar is Building First Passive House Project but is There Hidden Agenda Behind It?
Qatar has the highest carbon emissions per capita in the world; three times as high as the United States. According to the World Wildlife Fund, “if every human being lived…
Midori House: Couple Transforms Century-Old Bungalow into a Passive House, Energy Bills Drop by 80%
These days, it’s easy to see that the focus is on saving energy and reducing costs associated with rising energy prices. But let’s face it, there is a huge difference…
How the Spechts Got a Super Tight Passive House for the Price of Conventional Construction
Stephanie and Jason Specht knew that they wanted a home that was energy efficient, practical, and attractive, but finding a contractor to share their dream was proving difficult. The push…
Going all Out: Karuna Passive House Achieves Triple Certification and Claims a Prize for Style and Elegance
Located on the southern slope of a mountain overlooking the Willamette Valley’s gorgeous wine region (Newberg, Oregon), the Karuna House Karuna Passive house is a construction venture challenging the three…
Cutting-Edge Contemporary Design Flirts with Energy Efficiency in Portland’s Skidmore PassivHaus
Portland architect Jeff Stern had a vision – he wanted to construct a home/workspace that would blend cutting-edge contemporary design with the highest possible degree of energy efficiency. The type…
The Cottle Zero Energy Home in San Jose is a True Marvel but was it Worth the 15% Premium?
The builders of the Cottle Zero Energy Home say their newly build luxury house was recognized as one of the highest-performance, greenest and most energy efficient homes in the entire…
Old Sunnyvale Rancher Reincarnates into a Modern Passive House
The modest Sunnyvale, CA ranch house dated back to 1957 and was causing the owners – Jerry and Charlotte and their two young children not a little discomfort with constant…
Prefab Straw-Bale Buildings are Out to Conquer With Efficiency and Comfort
You can huff and puff but you won’t blow these straw houses down. Prefabricated straw bale construction might sound like something from “The Three Little Pigs” but it’s an innovative…