Affordable Eco-Friendly Homes by Case Architects
Case Architects is a Seattle, Washington based firm involved in the design and project management of affordable eco-friendly homes. Located in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood, Case focuses development on sites within walking distance of its office. Working in this context affords the group of architects and builders the unique perspective of its future neighbors, the people who will live in their light-filled energy-efficient homes.
From Case Architects:
As with our lives, our design focus has turned increasingly toward an examination of the impact we have on our planet. With every new project we explore new ways to reduce the depletion of our natural resources and re-examine old ways to connect with our surroundings
Some common features found in the home’s that Case Architects designs and are: green roofs, rainwater harvesting, radiant floor heat, insulated concrete foundations, and non-toxic finishes.
Columbia City Green, their latest most efficient project yet, is scheduled for completion in spring of 2009, and is currently available for pre-sale. You can follow the construction process at greendwellingseattle.com
Below is a selection of photos of their work…
Visit the Case Architect’s website – here.
Ana P. on 25 Jan 2009 at 2:35 pm #
Very nice and comfortable looking. I visited the architects’ website and read about their eco-friendly efforts, yet in my humble opinion they’re using too much wood which is not all that eco-friendly.
Paul on 26 Jan 2009 at 1:40 am #
Plantation-sourced timber is very eco-friendly as long as it is grown on vacant land, rather than on previously forested land cleared for that purpose (which is unfortunately often the case).
Timber sinks carbon dioxide, and when used in building that is a long-term effect. However eco-friendly forestry practices also involve responsible use of land, water and agricultural chemicals, and responsible processing and use of by-products (such as recycling rather than burning of wastes).
Ana is right to question claims of “eco-friendliness” – and I would like to see this site taking part in that, rather than just repeating the claims of those who (quite naturally) have vested interests.
Dave on 26 Jan 2009 at 3:16 am #
Ana, on what part of the houses do you think they’re using too much wood, and what material would you suggest they use instead of wood?
Joel on 02 Feb 2009 at 3:04 pm #
I think the place looks great. I’ve seen them in person and I really like the feel of it. Very comfortable looking, and lots of light. I would love to live in a place like this someday. Nice job Case.
kast on 03 Feb 2009 at 6:17 pm #
wood is the suistainable material as we can replant it again .surely we can harvesting wood in 30 years of planting .Other than that ,steel ,aluminium and even rock is so dreadful as we have to mine it that means to opening a land ,cutting all the trees and make the dreadful impact to the environment .
Lots of people dont realised at all we used lots of cement that means lots of chalk cliff that have to be a victim to the development.cement is been made by chalk and its nonsense we can plant a chalk again…
Rudy on 22 Feb 2009 at 2:54 am #
I like these houses and the effort of using sustainable materials.
One minor remark: the staircase looks like it’s still being crated.
katherine center on 14 Jun 2009 at 6:26 pm #
Fantastic!
ajsmith on 13 Apr 2010 at 8:11 am #
small cluttered feel. We consume too much in terms of excess of furniture and decorative items. Look at all the tables and chairs in these pictures. Talk about eco-friendly?