Green architecture: What is it, and why should you care about it?

Green architecture is an approach to designing structures and homes to have less of an impact on the environment. Every homeowner today can find ways to add green elements to their home.

But what exactly is green architecture, and why is it so important? Learn more about its history and how you can use it today.

Considering buying or renovating a home with eco-friendly features? Here, we'll provide the lay of the land with green architecture. In turn, it can help you get an idea of what it entails, and if it's a strong option for you:

What is green architecture?

Green architecture is the approach of designing homes that minimize environmental impact through its life cycle. This includes an A-to-Z approach, and factors in everything from how a property is designed and constructed to its operation and maintenance.

Green architecture includes environmentally friendly practices, such as using renewable materials and solar design, with an eye toward conserving resources.

The core parts of a green building are healthy indoor quality, sustainable materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, natural light, and resilience to impact on the climate.

Some houses are built green, while others have green elements added through renovation. These updates can lower utility bills, reduce one's environmental footprint, and boost indoor air quality. For example, installing LED lighting, ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, and smart thermostats. Or, installing a gray water system or low-flow toilets to conserve water use.

What is the purpose of green architecture?

Green architecture is meant to reduce humans’ impact on the environment and create healthier living spaces.

There are also other benefits, such as job creation and generating hundreds of billions of dollars for the economy. Owners of green property also see an increase in property value and reduction of day-to-day costs over time.

Green architecture helps reduce waste, carbon, water, and energy. For example, by boosting energy efficiency, it can reduce indoor air pollutants that are linked to serious health issues and create spaces that increase comfort. And improvements made with water efficiency can help reduce water waste.

“Our living environments profoundly impact our health and social equity,” says Cassy Aoyagi, president of the sustainable landscaping company FormLA Landscaping, and former board member of the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) of California. “We now have the know-how to create living environments that facilitate our health and positively impact the broader environment.”

What’s the difference between green architecture and sustainable architecture?

While green architecture and sustainable green architecture are often used interchangeably, they aren't necessarily one and the same.

Green architecture focuses on the environmental impact of the building itself by way of energy-efficient systems, integrating renewable sources of energy, and use of eco-friendly materials.

Sustainable architecture, on the other hand, looks at the long-term environmental, social, and economic impact of a building. It's more holistic and considers the entire lifecycle of a building.

A brief history of green architecture

Green architecture has been around for as long as humans have built structures. For most of our history, builders used natural lighting and ventilation for light and temperature control. Homes were built with this in mind using natural and sustainable materials.

Lime and mud are two of the oldest known building materials. Known for its durability and versatility, lime has been used for thousands of years, and is a key component in stucco, mortar, and plaster. Lime not only has bonding properties, but is water- and fire- resistant. And these days, lime is used as a natural alternative to synthetic insulation.

Mud has been used since ancient times, and to this day they provide insulation, and are a sustainable and adaptable option for modern use. Raw-earth construction in general is being considered as they can tolerate extreme weather events.

Other options, such as wind catcher structures, which are ancient passive cooling solutions that require no electricity, are sparking greater interest among architects as an environmentally friendly option.

As technology advanced and people began moving into urban centers, builders started using materials such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and techniques that could damage the environment. Buildings in dense city settings often consume a lot of energy because they depend on electricity and air conditioning instead of natural light and ventilation.

Today, we're far more aware of our carbon footprint, and many buildings are built with energy efficiency in mind.

Examples of green architecture

Building or renovating a green structure can involve many different elements.

“Sometimes people think of a green building as one that has solar panels on it, but it’s much more than that,” says Jim Schneider, a writer and LEED-accredited professional who works in the building design and construction industry. “The best sustainable designs seek to reduce waste, conserve energy and resources, and offer high performance and function to occupants and the community."

There are many ways to create green homes. Some are easier than others, but there are opportunities homeowners of all types can take to make their homes more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Alternative energy sources

Adding renewable energy resources is a popular method of “greening” one’s home. Here are some ways to accomplish this.

Solar panels: Solar panels are highly sought after in today’s housing market. These panels turn sunlight into electricity. Solar panels are often installed on the roof, but they can be put anywhere on your property to maximize seasonal sunlight exposure. Solar loans, tax credits, rebates, and other incentives are available to homeowners who want to install solar panels.

Wind turbines: Wind power can be harnessed by small turbines created for homeowners by way of a small wind energy system. It could be a good choice if the property is on at least one acre of land, there is a good wind resource, and local zoning codes allow for wind turbines.

Biomass: Biomass is condensed organic material, such as wood, leftover field crops, or switchgrass, that generates heat and electricity. The biomass must be ethically harvested for it to be considered green.

As a possible alternative energy source to fossil fuels, homeowners can install a biomass-fired boiler, local space heaters, or hybrid systems that fold in biomass with complementary renewable energy sources.

While it can be carbon neutral, reduce waste, and provide a reliable source of energy, biomass might have upfront costs that are higher than alternatives.

Geothermal systems: Geothermal systems use natural heat emanating from beneath the Earth’s surface. Geothermal heat pumps can make use of the constant temperature of the shallow earth to cool homes in the summer and heat homes in the winter. They use less energy and cost less than traditional HVAC systems.

Energy conservation

Most homeowners can take relatively simple steps to increase their green architecture energy efficiency:

Electricity: Energy Star-certified appliances, lightbulbs, heaters, furnaces, and air conditioning units can use less energy. For example, 12% of all residential electricity goes toward air conditioning. Choosing an Energy Star air conditioner and improving household ventilation can cool your home with less energy and save you money.

Heat: Conserving heat is on most homeowners’ minds every winter, even in warmer regions. Heat pumps lean on electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space. In turn, it offers an alternative to air conditioners and furnaces.

Water: For example, low-flow fixtures, and drain-water heat recovery can help you conserve water. You can also fix leaks, or invest in energy-efficient clothes washers and dishwashers.  

Investing in a gray water system, which redirects and filters much of your household’s used water, is another way to use less water and save money. Gray water can only be used for specific purposes like flushing toilets and lawn irrigation, and graywater systems are subject to local regulations. You'll want to check your local environmental codes.

Ventilation: Green architecture relies on natural ventilation systems, using wind and buoyancy to bring fresh air into a building and act as a natural air purifier. If you plan on building an addition to your home, consider window placement and natural ventilation.

Use of sustainable and recycled materials

When a green house is built from the ground up, nontoxic, recycled, and sustainable materials are used. These materials have a low carbon footprint and are healthier for humans and the environment. Green building materials are green from their creation, while recycled glass, concrete, and rubber tires are other sustainable options. Some examples of green materials are:

• Reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood can reduce the amount of lumber in landfills and spare trees. It's found in cabinetry, flooring, and framing.
• Bamboo. Bamboo is highly regenerative and grows rapidly. It's a solid option for flooring material and cabinetry.
• Cork. Similar to bamboo, cork grows naturally and quickly and is flexible and resilient. Cork can be a strong choice for insulation and subflooring.
• Straw bales. Straw can be replanted and harvested easily. You can place it in walls and ceilings to regulate temperature inside the home.
• Cob. Cob is created by mixing subsoil, sand, straw, and lime and is used as an alternative to concrete. Strong and durable, modern iterations of cob can absorb and trap heat.
• Clay plaster. Clay plaster is a mixture of sand and clay that can be used for interior wall coverings. As an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plaster, it doesn't contain VOCs.
• Sheep’s wool. Sheep's wool is a great alternative to insulation materials that are bogged down with chemicals. You can think of sheep's wool as a type of insulation, but it requires less energy to manufacture.

A green home isn’t limited to these materials, and you can use these alongside more common materials such as concrete and metal. If you plan on renovating your home, consider ways to incorporate alternative materials.

Green building certifications

Various organizations and government bodies issue green building certifications, each featuring different standards and uses. Here are the most common ones:

• LEED: The most widely, globally used green building rating system, buildings with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification meet criteria in terms of green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• ENERGY STAR: The ENERGY STAR program is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR products and homes meet the EPA's energy efficiency specifications.
• WELL: The WELL for residential certification is a holistic, third-party certification program that includes single-family homes and multi-family buildings. Criteria factors in everything from air and water quality; better and safer materials; healthier eating habits; lighting and sleep; in-home accessibility; and productivity and energy.
• Passive house: Passive building sets five core principles to build energy-efficient, safe, resilient, and comfortable spaces. These include continuous insulation, airtight construction, thermal-bridge-free detailing, balanced heat-recovery ventilation, and high-performance windows and doors.
  
• BREEAM: BREEAM's (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) residential certification offers a holistic certification that promotes improvements for sustainable use, well-being and health. It features benefits such as supporting routes to reach net zero, economic and social value, reducing operational costs, and contributing to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Where can I find green homes?

If buying a green home is a priority, your real estate agent can help you find the best options. Even if they aren’t an expert in green homes, they should be able to help.

Finding LEED-accredited architects and designers is a good place to start if you’re building a new home instead of buying one.

How can I pay for a green home?

Paying for a green home can be within your reach just as paying for another home. Our home affordability calculator can help determine if green housing is an option. Besides the more conventional mortgages, additional financing options are available for buying or remodeling green homes.

• Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan energy-efficient mortgage: If you’re already planning on an FHA loan¹, consider their energy-efficient mortgage. It might cover costs upfront or contribute a certain percentage of your home value to add green features to a new home. Some examples of what might be covered include renewable energy systems, insulation enhancements, and window replacements.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) energy-efficient mortgage: If you’re eligible for a VA loan,² you can apply for their energy-efficient mortgage. This gives you an additional $6,000 on your approved amount to add green elements to your new home. Homeowners have 6 months to complete upgrades after closing on the home.
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac energy-efficient mortgages: These loans let you take out a conventional mortgage and add up to 15% of the home’s appraised value. In addition to energy-efficient renovation projects, Fannie Mae’s program includes home resilience readiness for protection from earthquakes and other hazards.

Tax incentives

Besides additional financing opportunities, there are tax incentives for purchasing or renovating a green home. Certain energy-efficient home renovations may qualify for deductions and credits, which can lower your tax bill to Uncle Sam.

Many states have their own tax incentives. These might be found at the state or local level. Some utility servicers also feature tax incentives or rebates. You can do a search through the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).

The bottom line: Green architecture is accessible and delivers value

Even if green architecture isn’t new, we know more about the benefits of using sustainable materials, renewable energy, and conservation measures. Adding elements of green architecture to your home can save you money, increase your home’s value, and provide tax benefits. At the same time, living in a green home reduces your carbon footprint.

Ready to begin the home buying process or some green renovations? Get started with Rocket Mortgage online today.

¹Rocket Mortgage is not acting on behalf of FHA or HUD.

²Rocket Mortgage is a VA-approved lender, not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. 

Rocket Mortgage is a trademark of Rocket Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.