Sustainable homes

in Austin, Texas is a LEED Platinum certified home that is designed to be healthy and comfortable for its occupants. The home features a number of sustainable features, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and a composting toilet.

Name: The Living Home

Year Built: 2015

Location: Austin, Texas

Style: Modern

Architect: Lake Flato Architects

Type of Sustainable Design: LEED Platinum

Award Name: 2016 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award

Award Purpose: The AIA National Honor Award is the highest award given by the AIA to recognize outstanding architectural design. The Living Home was honored for its innovative use of sustainable design and its commitment to creating a healthy and comfortable living environment.

in Seattle, Washington is a home that produces as much energy as it consumes. The home is powered by solar panels, and it features a number of other sustainable features, such as insulation, air sealing, and energy-efficient appliances.

Name: The Net Zero Energy Home

Year Built: 2016

Location: Seattle, Washington

Style: Modern

Architect: TC Legend Homes

Type of Sustainable Design: Net-zero energy

Award Name: DOE Tour of Zero

Award Purpose: To recognize homes that meet the DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home certification standards.

in Miami, Florida is a home that is designed to withstand hurricanes and other extreme weather events. The home is built on stilts, and it features a number of sustainable features, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and a wind turbine.

Name: The Seashell House

Year Built: 2010

Location: Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida

Style: Sustainable, Modern

Architect: David Morris Architects

Type of Sustainable Design: Solar panels, Rainwater harvesting, Wind turbine, Energy-efficient appliances, Natural ventilation, Low-VOC paints and finishes 

Award Name: 2011 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Award of Excellence 

Award Purpose: The AIA Florida Award of Excellence is given to projects that demonstrate excellence in design, construction, and sustainability. The Seashell House was recognized for its innovative use of sustainable features, its beautiful design, and its strong connection to the natural environment.

in Kenya is a community of sustainable homes that is designed to be self-sufficient. The homes are built using local materials, and they feature a number of sustainable features, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and composting toilets.

Name: The Eden Village

Year Built: 2018

Location: Nanyuki, Kenya

Style: Sustainable, African

Architect: Injarom Architects

Type of Sustainable Design: Net-zero energy, off-grid

Award Name: Architizer A+ Award for Best Sustainable Housing

Award Purpose: The Architizer A+ Award is a global award program that recognizes the best architecture and design from around the world. The Eden Village was awarded the Best Sustainable Housing award for its innovative use of sustainable materials and technologies.

in South Africa is a home that is built using earthbags, which are sandbags filled with sand and clay. The home is designed to be energy-efficient and to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Name: The Earthbag House

Year Built: 2015

Location: Touws River, South Africa

Style: Sustainable, earthbag

Architect: Eco Builders South Africa

Type of Sustainable Design: Earthbag construction, solar water heating, greywater system, rainwater harvesting, recycled materials

Award Name: Green Building Africa Award

Award Purpose: To recognize outstanding achievement in sustainable building in Africa

in Rwanda is a home that is built using makuti, which is a type of thatch made from palm leaves. The home is designed to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and it features a number of sustainable features, such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

Name: The Makuti Dome

Year Built: 2023

Location: Rwanda

Style: Sustainable, vernacular

Architect: tbd

Type of Sustainable Design: Passive solar, rainwater harvesting, solar panels

Award Name: 2023 Green Architecture Award

Award Purpose: The 2023 Green Architecture Award recognizes outstanding achievement in sustainable design. The Makuti Dome was awarded for its innovative use of locally-sourced materials and its passive solar design, which helps to keep the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

in China is a home that is built using bamboo, which is a fast-growing and sustainable material. The home is designed to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and it features a number of sustainable features, such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

Name: The Green Bamboo House

Year Built: 2023

Location: China

Style: Sustainable

Architect: Studio Cardenas

Type of Sustainable Design: Bamboo construction, solar panels, rainwater harvesting

Award Name: 2023 Green Building Award

Award Purpose: To recognize outstanding achievements in green building design and construction.

is a 100-unit residential development that was awarded the 2017 Architizer A+ Award for Sustainable Housing. The project is designed to be a zero-carbon community, with features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and composting toilets.

Name: The Forestville Eco-Village

Year Built: 2015

Location: Forestville, Maryland, USA

Style: Sustainable

Architect: Urban Green

Type of Sustainable Design: Zero-carbon community

Award Name: Architizer A+ Award for Sustainable Housing

Award Purpose: To recognize outstanding examples of sustainable housing design

is a single-family home that was awarded the 2018 World Green Design Award for Residential Architecture. The project is designed to be highly energy-efficient, with features such as a super-insulated envelope, triple-glazed windows, and a heat recovery ventilation system.

Name: The Air Purifying House

Year Built: 2018

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Style: Modern

Architect: Smith + Hawken Architects

Type of Sustainable Design: Passive House

Award Name: 2018 World Green Design Award for Residential Architecture

Award Purpose: The award recognizes outstanding achievement in green design and construction. The Air Purifying House was recognized for its innovative use of sustainable materials and technologies, as well as its high level of energy efficiency.