Green Building

                Green Building is a new/old idea whose time has come. In our world of high energy prices and rising costs of resources and materials, it is no longer an option for us to ignore the necessity to conserve. It is no longer an option to continue to be wasteful in the ways that we build and live in our buildings. In this country, over 40 percent of energy used in the United States is involved in buildings, including the manufacture of materials, the construction process, occupancy and maintenance. If we could lessen this impact, we would go a long way to reducing the causes of global warming and other environmental ills, as well as build a sustainable economy.

               The good news is that there are many tools, which already exist to help us to accomplish this goal. Many of them are ancient and we only need to rediscover and reuse them. Others are at the cutting edge of new and promising technologies that can help us make buildings more economical and healthy for ourselves and our environment.

Passive Solar

                Passive solar design is as old as architecture itself. The Anasazi people in the American southwest built their villages into south-facing hollows in the cliffs. Throughout the world and across the ages, people have used the light of the sun to heat, illuminate and even cool their buildings.

               Today we use these timeless principles to make beautiful, energy-efficient architecture. Passive solar is the most cost-effective way of green building. We use south-facing windows, with controlled shading, to allow the sun’s direct rays deep into the building in the cooler months and keep them out in the hot months. Natural daylighting offsets the need for electrical lighting, saving energy and money. In warmer climates, these principles are used to cool homes and other buildings, through the use of natural and convective ventilation, earth sheltering, wind funnels and “cool tubes”.

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Active Solar

                Active solar is the more technological side of solar applications to architecture. Active solar comes in two primary types: thermal solar and photovoltaics. Thermal solar is the heating of a fluid transfer medium, frequently water, in order to bring thermal energy (heat) into a building, for space heating and the heating of domestic hot water. Thermal solar is more efficient in warmer climates, where there are many sunny days in a year. There are also applications for cooling, such as air conditioning systems driven by thermal solar energy.

               Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of the sun’s light into electrical energy. This is very efficient, because electricity can be used for many of the energy needs of buildings. It can be stored in batteries, for off-grid installations and, in most states, it can be sold back to the electric company, for on-grid installations. Over the past couple decades, PV technology has advanced significantly and there are many products which can be used for both new construction and retrofit applications.

               PV now includes a wide range of products, from photovoltaic panels, which can be installed on existing roofs with good sun exposure, to PV cell shingles, which are the very shingles that cover the roof. Panels work well on new and existing buildings. PV shingles work best on new buildings, but can be applied to existing roofs, under the right circumstances.

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Adaptive Re-use

          In a world where there are many existing buildings, it is often preferable to reuse older buildings, especially those with historic value. Adaptive re-use means to find new uses for old buildings and re-furbish them for that new use. With all of the energy and resources that are necessary to make new buildings, it makes sense and saves energy to reuse old buildings, rather than to demolish older buildings and build new ones.

          Adaptive re-use can include historic restoration and preservation, if the building has historic value. It can also include adding new construction and energy-efficient elements, such as thermal solar, PV and geothermal heating and cooling. The building may be just a shell, or it may contain interior features that are unusual and worthy of preservation. One of the exciting aspects of the process of adaptive re-use is that each project is unique and offers its own delights and challenges.

          Brian J. Billings Architects has specialized in adaptive re-use projects for over 20 years.

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Green Interiors

           Products and materials that are used to finish and furnish the interiors of buildings impact the environment and the quality of life for the occupants. By specifying green building products, such as paints as well as carpet, fabrics and furniture, we can improve indoor air quality, a serious problem in many buildings. Interior products also impact the environment for better or worse, depending upon recycled or recyclable content and sustainability of sourcing for natural materials, such as wood and fabrics.

            At Brian J. Billings Architects we believe that green interior design is good practice and a good investment for our clients. For Green office furniture, carpet and other contract interiors products, please visit:   

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Energy-Efficient Healthy Home Consultation

                How much money do you spend on energy costs? Would you like to lower your utility bills? Is your house making you sick? Get the answers to these and other questions, with a comprehensive overview of your home. Brian Billings puts 30 years of building experience at your service to develop solutions that will help you save money, reduce toxins in your home environment and become more earth friendly. An in-depth consultation looks at all aspects of your house, energy use and issues that may be impacting your health. Contact Brian J. Billings Architects to learn more. Billings@BJBarch.com