The warning signs hit harder this year than ever before. Climate change is upon us, and it’s imperative we all take steps to reduce our carbon footprints.

Fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture … these are all leading causes of climate change. But here’s one that may surprise you — construction. According to a report by the non-profit Architecture 2030, three materials — concrete, steel and aluminum, mostly from the building industry — are the cause of a stunning 23% of all global emissions.

Those calling for a course correction are championing an alternative — sustainable architecture.

What Is Sustainable Architecture?

Sustainability is all about employing materials, methods and behaviors that minimize our consumption of resources and utilize, whenever possible, renewable resources. Many sustainable builders incorporate sustainability techniques in their modern work for a better environment.

According to Aren Saltiel of Lake Tahoe-based Saltiel Architecture, Inc., “sustainable architecture, like sustainability on a whole, can be defined as architecture that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Saltiel says in many circumstances, the most environmentally friendly thing to do might often be doing nothing at all. But as long as humans need shelter, residences or workplaces, not building is seldom a viable option.

“We still need to solve for our current needs and problems,” says Saltiel. “We need to develop in a responsible way.”

You may see sustainable architecture labeled as “green” or eco-friendly construction. While sustainable architecture is both those things, Saltiel says “the term is frequently used in marketing whether it’s true or not and the concept is often oversimplified.” He says there could be one aspect of a construction project that’s sustainable, like the use of solar panels, but the rest might not be.

“The entire carbon footprint should be considered, including in the creation, transportation, longevity, and maintenance of the materials used,” he says.

Types of Sustainable Architecture

Sustainable design and architecture falls into two broad categories: active and passive. Some architects specialize in one discipline or the other, though sustainable architecture will often incorporate active and passive design elements.

• Active design: Uses materials and technologies to make the building more sustainable. According to Saltiel, active design “includes things like the use of efficient mechanical systems, such as geothermal heating and cooling, or solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint.”
• Passive design: Takes advantage of the natural environment to increase energy efficiency or create some other resource-saving benefit. Saltiel cites examples like “orienting a building for cross-ventilation, using overhangs to shade glass in the summer but let in heat in the winter, and having a tight and well insulated exterior shell.”

In residential housing, sustainable architecture is often associated with homes with smaller physical and carbon footprints. Some examples may include:

Notable Examples of Sustainable Architecture in the U.S.

There are countless examples around the U.S., though they vary in degrees of sustainability. Here are some noteworthy examples, where architects, developers and property owners went “all-in” on sustainability.

Edgeland House, Austin, Texas

Based on the concept of the Native American pit house, this partially sunken single-family home features a turf-planted roof for year-round energy efficiency. Architects at Bercy Chen Studio designed it in 2012.

Passive House, Greenwich, Connecticut

Sustainable doesn’t always mean futuristic or small, as this remodel of a 1930s Connecticut home demonstrates. By using modern insulated windows, sustainable interior and exterior insulation and solar panels, Trillium Architects achieved Passive House certification for the residence.

Verdant, St. Paul, Minnesota

Redesigned as multifamily affordable housing, Verdant, by Kaas Wilson Architects, uses continuous insulation, triple-pane windows and local solar garden energy to achieve a zero carbon footprint.

Sustainable Architecture in the Future

Though there’s growing interest in sustainable architecture, Saltiel says the high expense creates a stigma around the field. However, he says potential homeowners need to think long-term, even if upfront costs are higher.

“The savings of a more efficient and lower maintenance building will often make the life-cycle cost lower,” he says.

Though new innovations, materials and methods are continually introduced, Saltiel says “developers are mostly concerned with the initial cost and their bottom line.” These engrained behaviors are a large reason why it’s necessary to reexamine local, state and national standards and regulations, to ensure things gradually move toward sustainability.