As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

New: Community Explorer. Discover Your Perfect Community Quickly Based on Lifestyle, Amenities, and Unit Type.  

Try It NOW

New Concepts Aplenty for “Green” Retirement Houses

Category: Green Retirement Communities

Baby boomers looking to retire in a very “green” way often end up being frustrated. The main reason is that most active adult communities are anything but environmentally friendly – they are located far from community centers so they require lots of driving, they don’t always use the most energy-efficient materials and systems, and they usually ignore alternative energy sources and low carbon footprints. The alternative for those truly dedicated to the movement is to strike out on their own, which though might be fun, can also be expensive and prone to trial and error.

The Wall Street Journal published an eye-opening article earlier this year on the “Green House of the Future“. The Journal asked 4 leading architects to come up with a home design that was environmentally friendly – and possible. The results were amazing:

A house like a tree. The “bark” of the building contained photosynthetic layer that captures sunlight. The home had a lot of other cool features as well.
So why not a house like a lizard. Cook + Fox came up with a home that turns “dark in the bright sun to insulate the house”, and clearer on dark days to help warm the house.
The Incredible Edible House. The concept from Rios Clementi Hale Studios featured a home with edible crops like chickpeas on the outside. The food being grown not only helps feed the occupants, it provides insulation. Windmills and water capture are other features of the home.
– A “breeze chimney“. The home from Mouzon Design has many typical energy generating features such as solar panels, but it also has an old architectural tool, the breeze chimney to help heat and cool the home.

Recycled Green Homes in Phoenix
Green Street Development in Phoenix is winning kudos for their LEEDS certified remodelings in downtown Phoenix. The concept is sound, why not turn former tract homes either in town or near public transportation lines into zero energy consuming homes. While the firm is pitching the project towards young urban professionals, in our opinion they are missing half of the boat – retiring baby boomers who not only want to downsize but be near the urban action too. Listen in to the PBS podcast, it’s most interesting.

Comments on "New Concepts Aplenty for “Green” Retirement Houses"

Megan says:
May 5, 2010

I work for a publishing company who just featured a story on a local retirement community in Hot Springs, Arkansas building "Green Diamond Homes" and found it to be relevant to your post. They have what is touted to be the most energy efficient house in Arkansas- and completely geared towards the baby boomer generation... You might want to check out some of the features they are incorporating into these homes- definitely eco-friendly and ahead of most builders (at least in Arkansas) times.

 

Your comment will be revised by the site if needed.

Recent Blog Articles

Blog Categories

Showcase Active Adult Communities

Skip to content