Blueprint for Green Affordable Housing is a guide for housing developers, advocates, public agency staff, and the financial community that offers specific guidance on incorporating green building strategies into the design, construction, and operation of affordable housing developments. A completely revised and expanded second edition of the groundbreaking 1999 publication, this new book focuses on topics of specific relevance to affordable housing including: how green building adds value to affordable housing the integrated design process best practices in green design for affordable housing green operations and maintenance innovative funding and finance emerging programs, partnerships, and policies Edited by national green affordable housing expert Walker Wells and featuring a foreword by Matt Petersen, president and chief executive officer of Global Green USA, the book presents 12 case studies of model developments and projects, including rental, home ownership, special needs, senior, self-help, and co-housing from around the United States. Each case study describes the unique green features of the development, discusses how they were successfully incorporated, considers the project's financing and savings associated with the green measures, and outlines lessons learned. Blueprint for Green Affordable Housing is the first book of its kind to present information regarding green building that is specifically tailored to the affordable housing development community.

This text is about the design of dignified, affordable housing for those not served by the private sector, and how that housing fits comfortably into our communities. It is a non-technical analysis for everyone interested in the creation of affordable housing.

Both professionals and students are increasingly committed to achieving high-performance metrics in the design, construction and operation of residential buildings. This book responds to this demand by offering a comprehensive guide which features: architectural innovations in building skin technologies which make lighter more transparent buildings high performing; energy-free architectural design principles and advances in building-integrated photovoltaics; essential engineering principles, controls and approaches to simulation for achieving net zero; the advantages of integrated design in residential construction and the challenges and opportunities it engenders; detailed case studies of innovative homes which have incorporated low-energy design solutions, new materials, alternative building assemblies, digital fabrication, integrated engineering systems and operational controls. Divided into four parts, the book discusses the requisite AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) knowledge needed when building a high-performance home. It also communicates this information across four case studies, which provide the reader with a thorough overview of all aspects to be considered in the design and construction of sustainable homes. With contributions from experts in the field, the book provides a well-rounded and multi-faceted approach. This book is essential reading for students and professionals in design, architecture, engineering (civil, mechanical and electrical), construction and energy management.

As one of the largest consumers of energy, the housing sector and its unconscious occupants' activities negatively affect the environment. Architects and engineers have a major role in resolving the associated problems while maintaining comfort for occupants. Also very important are environmental education and awareness of appropriate environmental development in designing activity and selecting building materials and products. There are different architectural strategies that are aimed to achieve a low-energy built environment. Determining the needed strategy according to function, economy, and occupant comfort and affordability is the crucial step. This book helps the reader to achieve a sustainable development without destruction of the resources while maintaining a growing universal awareness of protecting the living and non-living environment.

Explore a groundbreaking and holistic new approach to designing community-first neighborhoods In Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods, distinguished architect and affordable housing advocate Charles Durrett delivers a complete, start-to-finish guide for designing anything where the emphasis lies with the community. This book describes the consequential role that architecture and a healthy design process can play in the success of neighborhoods, churches, towns, and more. It’s an inspiring collection of ideas that prioritize high-functioning neighborhoods. In the book, the author draws on the success of hundreds of community-first projects to show readers how to design a project that addresses both timeless and modern challenges—from aging to climate change and racism—in its architecture and urban design. He compiles facts and concepts that are essential to the design of a high-functioning community, where people can participate in a way that reflects their values, improves their social connections, and retain their autonomy and privacy. Readers will also find: Ideas for town planning, street planning, and other town altering improvements Discussions of how developers can make better multifamily housing Explorations of how planners and politicians can make high-functioning neighborhoods a cornerstone of their community In-depth treatments of families who want to confirm that they’re choosing the right neighborhood Perfect for university students and professors who strive to see new ways to create neighborhoods, Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods will also appeal to universities planning new neighborhoods for retired alumni or new housing for students and faculty. Praise for Charles Durrett and Cohousing Communities: “...Get and read Cohousing Communities... Read it from the front cover to the back cover. It’s The Bible of Cohousing. And, like The Bible, it needs to be STUDIED not just read. Mark it up w/ your questions. Highlight, underline, write in the margins, fold the corners... This way you will gather your understanding how building cohousing gets “done," create your pathway to “Getting It Built”... and, most importantly get everyone on the same page for working together.” -- Ann Zabaldo, Executive Director, Mid Atlantic Cohousing