Let’s go green – how the eco movement changed the way we live now

Ever since the first family moved into a manmade structure, every era has been marked by a different set of architectural and design tendencies. Whether it’s the outrageous ostentation of the Age of Baroque or the clean straight lines of the Modernist period, each era has developed its own set of ideas as to what constitutes the ideal design.

In this post-Postmodernist age it is the growing influence of the Green Movement that most clearly moulds the shape of our homes. With their battle cry of “sustainability!” the eco architects have completely transformed the way that we think about our homes.

At its most basic level, eco architecture focuses on the most efficient use of natural resources, whether these be fuel, solar energy or daylight. Unlike previous artistic movements – which conform to a key set of design principles – eco architecture has no set visual template.

Eco journalist, Flemmich Webb, identifies eco buildings as conforming to the following criteria: “They should minimise energy use by being favourably orientated to take advantage of local weather conditions…and well insulated to reduce heat loss in winter and overheating in summer. They should be fitted with renewable energy sources where appropriate, such as solar panels, and materials should come from sustainable sources. Water conservation – rainfall collection and grey (used) water recycling – are also important. Inside, low-energy appliances, excellent insulation and double-glazing all help improve the energy efficiency of a building and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”

Criteria like these can be used to describe the now famous “Hobbit House” in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, which was so unusual that at one point it attracted a demolition order from the local council, although this was later rescinded. Constructed from entirely natural materials, this house really is a habitat that could have been the residence of Bilbo Baggins.

However, few eco houses are quite this close to nature, in fact many look distinctly hi-tech. Architecture students from Cambridge University have developed a building that, while based on a medieval design, is perfectly adapted to take advantage of the surrounding environment, while minimising its inhabitants’ impact upon it.

Rimontgó, too, has some wonderful eco properties for sale, including the following:

Magnificent Modernist mansion with the best of eco-technology

Ecologically intelligent villa with solar panels and its own micro-climate

New post on at Monday, 26 April, 2010, 9:00 am and is archived in Décor/Architecture/Industrial & Furniture Design, House Elements, Properties. Subscribe to answers with RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.