It's going to be not too tall, not too big, not too glassy, boxy but beautiful, possibly Passivhaus, and it will have trees around it, not on it. Oh, and it is probably a bit boring.
Maybe a start would be to stop calling them green buildings ... Poor AI is wondering "why do these humans keep asking for buildings that are the colour green". Just a thought - nice post. I love the boxy but beautiful phrase.
"If we are ever going to get a handle on our CO2, we are going to see a lot more urban buildings without big windows, without bumps and jogs. Perhaps we might even have to reassess our standards of beauty."
No one would ever suggest that Russian dachas are beautiful—most certainly not even the Russians. But essentially, that's what this suggests: boxy, small windows, compact, 3-6 stories tall, made of light timber framing and built to Passivhaus standards.
The one thing you forgot to note is that few people would ever want to consider BUYING something with those aesthetics. In Russia, there's central planning which limits personal freedoms and options to build differently, so unless the world is forced to move to a central government planning system for *absolutely everything* (because carbon!) people aren't going to be interested in what's being sold to them.
I'd also argue that green buildings should include exterior insulation and innie windows.
Exterior insulation protects the structure of the building from thermal and moisture issues so it's less likely to need remediation, repairs or replacement and all the associated carbon costs.
Innie windows perform better thermally and are less vulnerable to water leaks from the top, and are much more visually appealing. Look at any of the gorgeous 19th century buildings in your local neighborhood and the windows will be set in at least 2 inches from the wall plane. Outie windows are a plague on modern construction - - I've seen plenty of 5/1 projects that combine exterior insulation (and interior WRB) with Outie windows. Pure madness.
Unfortunately, I think you're preaching to the choir... The powers that be (i.e. those that control finances), love to stack people vertically, as it gets more rent money, and more taxes.
After all why make lots of smaller buildings when you can have the same amount of taller buildings?
Now, if you want to start a heated discussion, let's talk about the upfront carbon footprint of the nuclear plants (that need to be replaced every forty years) that claim to be clean energy (despite the fact that they also need to replace the fuel rods and store them)...
Lloyd, I have been reading your green design articles since that prefab carpet squares for renters one on treehugger. My husband has been working 3 hours away in our camper for years. We have finally found a house there for our family, and I feel like your advice is really coming to fruition there. We eliminating that weekly commute; big carbon savings! This new place is a solar passive house, built in 81. It has greenhouse like rooms in front of the strategic windows which I never saw on your examples of this style before and would love your insight on that style, they seem to be original.
The kitchen is separate from the living space and the whole place is 1500 sq ft for a family of 4. The location is bikable to a local produce store which also carries locally produced food basics as well. The small size of the town makes it bikable to most places in fact. When I first saw the listing I thought it was probably the Lloyd Alter house😁. Just thought you would enjoy knowing that your work is taken to heart.
I just wanted to say that I read your book “Living the 1.5 degree lifestyle”, picked it up on a whim at the bookstore. I loved it and that’s how I found you on all the socials. Now I can’t wait for your upcoming book!
One thing that I wondered while reading this article (newsletter?) was whether that magic modelling tool included the cost of transportation of materials. I guess in the UK they may default to brick as the cheapest material if it’s the most abundant one locally.
"Everything gets more expensive when you go tall, not just structure. "
Not everything - increasing height increases density which in turn makes services supporting the people in those buildings more efficient. Metro lines, tram lines, local shops local food places etc. There is a reason you don't find Underground lines service farming communities.
I agree the 6 stories seems like an important point to aim for.
Lots of people are buying them now where they are offered, and if you think you don't have central government planning in the USA, you are dreaming.
Maybe a start would be to stop calling them green buildings ... Poor AI is wondering "why do these humans keep asking for buildings that are the colour green". Just a thought - nice post. I love the boxy but beautiful phrase.
"If we are ever going to get a handle on our CO2, we are going to see a lot more urban buildings without big windows, without bumps and jogs. Perhaps we might even have to reassess our standards of beauty."
No one would ever suggest that Russian dachas are beautiful—most certainly not even the Russians. But essentially, that's what this suggests: boxy, small windows, compact, 3-6 stories tall, made of light timber framing and built to Passivhaus standards.
The one thing you forgot to note is that few people would ever want to consider BUYING something with those aesthetics. In Russia, there's central planning which limits personal freedoms and options to build differently, so unless the world is forced to move to a central government planning system for *absolutely everything* (because carbon!) people aren't going to be interested in what's being sold to them.
I'd also argue that green buildings should include exterior insulation and innie windows.
Exterior insulation protects the structure of the building from thermal and moisture issues so it's less likely to need remediation, repairs or replacement and all the associated carbon costs.
Innie windows perform better thermally and are less vulnerable to water leaks from the top, and are much more visually appealing. Look at any of the gorgeous 19th century buildings in your local neighborhood and the windows will be set in at least 2 inches from the wall plane. Outie windows are a plague on modern construction - - I've seen plenty of 5/1 projects that combine exterior insulation (and interior WRB) with Outie windows. Pure madness.
Unfortunately, I think you're preaching to the choir... The powers that be (i.e. those that control finances), love to stack people vertically, as it gets more rent money, and more taxes.
After all why make lots of smaller buildings when you can have the same amount of taller buildings?
Now, if you want to start a heated discussion, let's talk about the upfront carbon footprint of the nuclear plants (that need to be replaced every forty years) that claim to be clean energy (despite the fact that they also need to replace the fuel rods and store them)...
There are situations where the plants can be added to the box to make easy improvements: https://imgur.com/gallery/scSQSPw
Lloyd, I have been reading your green design articles since that prefab carpet squares for renters one on treehugger. My husband has been working 3 hours away in our camper for years. We have finally found a house there for our family, and I feel like your advice is really coming to fruition there. We eliminating that weekly commute; big carbon savings! This new place is a solar passive house, built in 81. It has greenhouse like rooms in front of the strategic windows which I never saw on your examples of this style before and would love your insight on that style, they seem to be original.
The kitchen is separate from the living space and the whole place is 1500 sq ft for a family of 4. The location is bikable to a local produce store which also carries locally produced food basics as well. The small size of the town makes it bikable to most places in fact. When I first saw the listing I thought it was probably the Lloyd Alter house😁. Just thought you would enjoy knowing that your work is taken to heart.
I just wanted to say that I read your book “Living the 1.5 degree lifestyle”, picked it up on a whim at the bookstore. I loved it and that’s how I found you on all the socials. Now I can’t wait for your upcoming book!
One thing that I wondered while reading this article (newsletter?) was whether that magic modelling tool included the cost of transportation of materials. I guess in the UK they may default to brick as the cheapest material if it’s the most abundant one locally.
"Everything gets more expensive when you go tall, not just structure. "
Not everything - increasing height increases density which in turn makes services supporting the people in those buildings more efficient. Metro lines, tram lines, local shops local food places etc. There is a reason you don't find Underground lines service farming communities.
I agree the 6 stories seems like an important point to aim for.