Vibe Spring2025 - Flipbook - Page 25
MWV FINE HOMES:
Green Design Basics
By John Cole and Anthony Giovanni
Photos by Ed Wonsek Artworks
Green design is often a priority for those
seeking to build new or renovate a home.
But what does “green design” mean and
what are the key elements to consider?
S
imply put, green design seeks to reduce energy
consumption and use materials with low environmental impact. Selection and sourcing of
environmentally friendly materials are important—
though beyond the scope of this article. The focus
here is on practical ways to minimize energy usage
and provide significant operating cost savings.
First Things First
Green design starts with questions about how to
minimize the size of the home or the addition, while
meeting the functional needs of the owner. Is an
additional bathroom and bedroom needed for Aunt
Minnie’s yearly visit when she could stay in a child’s
bedroom or a short-term rental? Can different uses,
such as working out and kids’ play, share the same
space at different times? Is a dining room necessary
or can it be combined into a great room with kitchen
and living area? Is a dedicated room needed for a
home office when a bedroom or living room bay can
accommodate a laptop and a printer?
The size of a home and the complexity of the
volume are the biggest drivers of construction
cost, as well as operating cost, so it makes sense to
simplify and right size. Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big
House series of books provides helpful principles and
illustrations for reducing the size of a house while
keeping it functional and spacious feeling.
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