Being environmentally conscious has gained popularity in recent years and we've seen various ways that architects have pitched sustainable futures. One of the simpler ways in regards to homes has been to add more greenery. In this article we look at 7 ways that architects and homeowners can improve homes to make them more eco-friendly with minimal upgrades.

1) Fresh-Air Ventilation

While opening curtains will allow natural light to filter in a home, it's also important to have the ability to open windows to achieve fresh-air ventilation. Homeowners will enjoy multiple windows because it will not only save them from overuse of artificial light, but also reduces or eliminated the need for air conditioning.

2) Fuse the Barrier Between Inside and Outside

While not possible for every home, a new design that has recently emerged is making one room in the house (typically the living space) seamlessly blend with the outdoors. This is traditionally achieved by using sliding doors, panelled doors, or collapsible doors. If you're interest in this kind of project, you can view examples here.

3) Keep Your Trees

To save on high heating costs, consider keeping or planting trees around the home since the shade provided from the trees will help to keep the house cooler during the warm months.

While the benefits have not yet been verified, some architects have tested boundaries by building homes around trees and incorporating trees into skyscraper plans.

4) Consider Your Foundation

Another design element to consider prior to construction is the foundation. Traditionally the foundation is built on top of soil which means that it can sink over time and become more damaging to the environment. Instead of having a flat foundation, environmentalists suggest considering the use of pillars to help elevate and support the house.

5) Make Multi-Functional Rooms

One of the most common design choices among millennials is having a multi-functional room. Whether their choice is intentional or not, this design is praised for being an eco-friendly option. Having a multi-purpose room results in less heating and cooling requirements since the individual will transition within one given space and not require a large area that is not being used be heated or cooled.

6) Keep Bedrooms on Main Level

Keeping bedrooms on the main level or in the basement of your home is supposed to make the rooms feel more private and with trees close to the house the bedroom will get shade from the trees.

7) Add Plants

One of the most obvious, but often neglected aspects for making a house greener is incorporating plants into the home. Plants help to improve the air quality of your home and can be virtually put anywhere - including the shower.

Want to explore further ways to make your house more eco-friendly? Search the design gallery on CADdetails to get real life inspiration for architectural projects.