Eco-Friendly design has become a popular theme in recent years. However, it is frequently no more than a marketing gimmick. In 1980, an era greatly interested in energy-efficient housing brought on by an oil embargo and high gas prices, Robert Bouril started his career designing “earth-shelter” and “passive solar” homes.

While design approaches and technologies have changed over the years, the basics remain unchanged. The way in which we live and consume resources in our society is clearly unsustainable in the long term. Since buildings account for an estimated 40% of the energy consumed in this country, designing energy efficient buildings is an essential part of the solution to our energy dilemma.

As architects, we can have a direct effect on the environment by educating our clients about environmentally responsible options available in the design and construction process. Alone each design decision may appear insignificant, but collectively they can be substantial over the life of the home.

Whether the design techniques employ energy conservation measures, utilization of alternative energy sources, specifying low-impact long-life products or ecologically thoughtful site and landscape design, we believe that every homeowner should have the opportunity for input into the decisions that directly impact their living environment as well as the eco-systems around them.

We believe that from an ecological standpoint, there are ways to mitigate the impact of consuming land for single family housing by how we design and construct homes. We encourage and support an ecologically responsible approach to custom home design.