pre-drawn-plans / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Design basics for flexible housing: Depending on the stage you are at in your life, you might have kids, they might be gone or you might want to have some in the future. Design floor plans that work for you right now but can be easily adapted to accommodate different family dynamics in the future. Flexible housing star...

The  principles of green building: High performance, energy efficient homes may include features like geothermal heating, wind power and solar panels, but these are not the defining features of green living. They come in second, and some you can even do without. A green home starts with being well-designed, well-insula...

Straw bale homes, are they any good? Traditional straw bale home construction can be a low-tech and affordable route to a very ecologically responsible home. There are, however, some legitimate drawbacks and challenges that can cause many people to dismiss it completely as a building technique. It seems all of these is...

Prefab home kits are ideal for Passive House or LEED certified homes Écohabitation the French language Quebec affiliates of Ecohome, in conjunction with experienced architects and kit home manufacturers, have launched a series of Canadian manufactured stylish and affordable, prefabricated sustainable green kit homes th...

1. Hiring an architect: We discussed previously the idea of choosing an architect that specializes in high-performance eco-friendly home design and can co-ordinate the work. They should be able to help you find general contractors and subcontractors that can help you carry out your work according to plan. This route is...

Raising backyard chickens: a homeowner's and pro's guide For years there has been a growing trend towards raising chickens in an urban or suburban backyards, and the high price of eggs has only increased the interest. Eggs from chickens you raise yourself in the backyard are fresh, organic, and simply taste better. Thi...

The Fincube is a pre-fab multi-purpose dwelling, it's built to operate off-grid, it's portable, and it's beautiful. It's also made in Italy so would hardly be a "green" choice for a North American dweller, but one can't help but be inspired by it just the same.  The most obvious and unusual design feature about the Fin...

Home fire safety: a homeowner's and pro's guide Ensuring your home is safe from fire is one of the most critical responsibilities for a homeowner and a key consideration for building professionals. A home fire would no doubt be emotionally devastating, but with the right preparations and design choices, the risk can be...

Are you considering buying a first home, a fan of home renovation shows on TV, and so perhaps pondering embarking on your own fixer-upper adventure? If so, you're somewhat in luck! North American television is currently brimming with entertaining and educational programs that showcase the highs and lows of older home r...

  Prefab homes are a very credible option for high performance home construction. When it comes to high efficiency sustainable housing, until recently prefab homes didn't even show up on the radar. A few companies in recent years have taken huge steps to change that, notably with the recent completion of the Beachaus I...

What is the best wall system for a home?  We're frequently asked which is the perfect wall system for high-performance LEED, Passive House or Zero Energy Homes, Well, a perfect Answer to that Is, first Ask the Right Questions! - After all, what is the best way to get from one place to another?  You have to choose betwe...