Best Of 82+ Captivating Passive Green House Design Not To Be Missed

Passive solar house designs use the sun’s energy to naturally cool and heat the home during the different seasons. Art Deco houses often feature large south-facing windows that bring in the warm sun and benefit from sun-baked thermal mass walls to moderate indoor temperatures during the day and night. To maximize the home’s heating and cooling benefits, designers will use screen shades, solar screens, movement blinds, and reflective window films to control heat gain. To store heat, designers use core materials like floors, walls, and ceilings. And while the windows should be shaded to reduce cooling load, they should be oriented to maximize views with daylighting benefits throughout the day and night.

Art Deco homes often have thermal mass systems to sit between the interior and exterior spaces. These systems store solar energy in the form of heat and use it to cool during the summer and warm during the winter. This strategy also allows for a higher insulation level in the home’s walls and ceilings. Designers typically use natural materials like stone, brick, tile, and concrete to absorb and release the sun’s heat, depending on the home’s internal air temperature.

Bermed designs are based on an Architect's original concept to use the earth to insulate the home. Art Deco house designs often feature an earth-bermed building design in order to take advantage of the earth’s natural heat-retaining abilities. Earth-bermed designs add an additional layer of thermal protection from the outside environment while allowing for a stronger connection to nature.

Daylighting therapy is utilized in many Art Deco homes to direct natural light into the interior of the home. Daylighting increases the amount of natural light while reducing the need for electric lighting during the day. Designers may take into consideration the type of glass used, landscaping, and the orientation of the home’s windows to create a hospitable environment with the addition of natural light. Directional solar screens, glazed sunrooms, and exterior sunshades may also be employed to control glare and manage the direct sunlight entering the home.

Ventilation plays an important role in the overall design of an Art Deco house design. Passive building ventilation systems use the prevailing air movement, pressure differences, and thermal strategies to convey natural air movement between interior and exterior spaces. Designers often use natural ventilation systems to reduce the need for mechanical ventilation systems to increase efficiency and add aesthetic value to the home.

Rammed earth house designs are created using a mixture of clay, sand, and gravel to form a wall system that is durable and thermally efficient. Art Deco homes often feature ramming walls to create a stable and insulated home. Rammed earth walls create an increased airtightness level, which leads to improved energy efficiency. Moreover, ramming earth helps to better regulate interior temperatures throughout the year.

Greenhouse design is often a part of Art Deco homes. Designers use greenhouses to bring more light and greenery into the home while reducing the home’s energy demands. Greenhouses also provide extra space to grow a variety of plants and flowers that can add to the overall aesthetic of the home.

Rainwater harvesting is an important component of an Art Deco house’s design. Designers use rainwater collection systems and underground tanks to store and harvest rainwater, which can then be used for indoor and outdoor applications. In addition to reducing water bills, rainwater harvesting is an effective way to reduce the home’s impact on the local ecosystem.

Green roofs are an excellent way to bring nature indoors. Green roofs also act as a thermal blanket, insulating the home from radiant heat transfer and moderating the home’s interior temperatures. Art Deco homes often feature green roofs in order to reduce the home’s overall energy load. Designers may also incorporate plants and shrubs to create a pleasing aesthetic.

Wastewater recycling is an important component of an Art Deco house design. Designers use wastewater recycling systems to reduce the water consumed in the home. This includes greywater and blackwater recycling systems, which are used to store, treat, and reuse household water for irrigation, clothes washing, and other non-potable water applications.

Art Deco homes often feature natural food growing areas to promote indoor food production. Designers may also incorporate greenhouses, raised planters, and aquaponics to increase the home’s food production capabilities. Natural food growing areas can provide the homeowner with fresh produce, while also reducing the homeowner’s dependence on outside sources of food.