Making it Easier to be Green
Green design includes energy conservation, but that's not what it's all about. It's about having good air quality both indoors and outdoors, making the environments in which we work, live, study and play healthier and more comfortable and conserving all of our natural resources.
This site will provide a balanced, holistic view that includes advice about saving energy, water and other natural resources, improving indoor air quality, using environmentally responsible design and construction techniques and minimizing waste.

I will be focusing on interiors for three reasons:

  • We spend about 90% of our time indoors.
  • Buildings in the United States annually consume about 30% of our total energy and 75% of our electricity.
  • As a New York State Certified Interior Designer and a LEED Accredited Professional, I want to share my knowledge and expertise with you.
Sustainable design and construction can be done in many different styles and using a wide variety of materials. There are examples of healthy, sustainable, comfortable and inviting interiors for commercial, not-for-profit and residential clients on the web site for Interior Design Solutions.
You can use the labels on the sidebar to locate entries that you want to read. For instance, most people might want to look at the entries for "Green Homes," but "Green Finance" would be of more interest to professionals involved in the design, construction, management, financing and marketing of buildings.

Friday, November 8, 2013

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon




Teams at Decathlon Village
 Photo: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

I have looked over a couple of my recent posts about the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, and feel that some clarification is in order.  While my blog entries focus just on a few aspects of the houses that were particularly attractive, even “subjective” contests like Market Appeal were judged according to clearly defined parameters in a very analytical fashion.

For the Solar Decathlon, collegiate teams design and build energy-efficient houses powered by the sun. These teams spend almost two years creating houses to compete in the 10 contests of the Solar Decathlon. Each house should:
  • Be affordable, attractive, and easy to live in
  • Maintain comfortable and healthy indoor environmental conditions
  • Supply energy to household appliances for cooking, cleaning, and entertainment
  • Provide adequate hot water
  • Produce as much or more energy than it consumes
Each team built its house for a target client of its choosing. The Market Appeal Jury of which I was a part evaluated the responsiveness of the house design to the characteristics and requirements of the target client. The criteria that we considered were:
  • Livability - Does the design offer a safe, functional, convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable place to live? Does it feature intuitive house controls? Does it meet the unique needs and desires of the target client?
  • Marketability - Does the house have curb appeal, interior appeal, and quality craftsmanship? How well do its sustainability features and strategies contribute to its marketability? Does the house offer potential homebuyers within the target market a good value?
  • Buildability - Would the construction documents enable a contractor to generate an accurate construction cost estimate and then construct the building as the design team intended it to be built? Could the house's materials and equipment be immediately adopted and built in the private sector?

Posted by at
Labels: , ,

48 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 2, 2014 at 11:07 PM


    Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it,you're a great author.
    I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you
    to ultimately continue your great job, have a nice day!...properties

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 2, 2014 at 11:33 PM

    solar energy is one of the renewable sources of energy.. but there is lot of progress yet to be done to harness it completely.
    Thanks for putting your best efforts and giving such informative post.. Keep sharing this good work....properties

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMay 16, 2014 at 9:37 PM

    Your information is very nice. I have related information.... solar pv

    ReplyDelete
  4. mind.itApril 28, 2017 at 4:57 AM

    Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! Grant Greene

    ReplyDelete
  5. James harperApril 29, 2017 at 2:02 PM

    Installation of solar powered attic fans are easy and quick and takes about 30 minutes to set up for your home. Solar powered mobile phone charger

    ReplyDelete
  6. Richard YatesJune 10, 2017 at 3:49 AM

    Solar energy is a renewable energy source. The Solar Energy AZ can be consumed all through the year and will never be finished. That is the best part of using solar energy. best solar deck lights

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lauren GottliebJuly 26, 2017 at 8:56 AM

    There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. Thank you for your clear information. solar pathway lights

    ReplyDelete
  8. online gifts serviceDecember 29, 2017 at 4:42 AM

    I learn from a good blog, your blog I have a great inspiration, thank you. Send Gifts To Pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  9. karachigifts.comJune 26, 2018 at 1:57 AM

    such a great info i like your blog Send gift to Pakistan .

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 14, 2018 at 12:54 AM

    This can enable you to contrast diverse moneylenders and with pick the loan specialist that can offer you the best manage respect to the charges you need to pay. Cash Advances San diego

    ReplyDelete
  11. moeezJuly 18, 2018 at 8:00 AM

    Interesting and amazing how your post is! It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next Best attic fan

    ReplyDelete
  12. fortniteOctober 6, 2018 at 9:58 AM

    This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. solar powered string lights reviews

    ReplyDelete
  13. Faiza JeeMay 15, 2019 at 11:45 AM

    Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me. Zonnepanelen installateur

    ReplyDelete
  14. fortniteAugust 20, 2019 at 8:03 AM

    Thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.. folding solar panel kit

    ReplyDelete
  15. mubeen shahjahanSeptember 13, 2019 at 10:26 AM

    Nicely well-written article. It was an awesome article to read. Complete rich content and fully informative Solar panel

    ReplyDelete
  16. pilarOctober 3, 2019 at 5:56 AM

    Very Nice! I like all. fiver logo design

    ReplyDelete
  17. D. James AndersonOctober 31, 2019 at 6:48 AM

    Considering an Earth-wide temperature boost and contamination it's clear that conventional vitality sources will never again be reasonable. Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  18. 123456789November 12, 2019 at 2:59 AM

    This is important, though it's necessary to help you head over to it weblink: Phonebot

    ReplyDelete
  19. kattyoyolak@gmail.comNovember 25, 2019 at 1:11 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jason MarshallDecember 5, 2019 at 1:34 AM

    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. מצבר פריקה עמוקה למערכת סולארית

    ReplyDelete
  21. D. James AndersonDecember 21, 2019 at 12:56 AM

    This is significant since carbon outflows are perilous and evading their emanation helps in shielding our present and future condition.Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  22. AzlanDecember 25, 2019 at 10:11 AM

    The sun is the essential wellspring of energy on Earth and daylight can be changed over legitimately into power utilizing solar panels. Installateur zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sarah JacbDecember 31, 2019 at 4:29 AM

    Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? mantenimiento energia solar

    ReplyDelete
  24. Edward BrownJanuary 1, 2020 at 3:58 AM

    I was looking at some of your posts on this website and I conceive this web site is really instructive! Keep putting up.. איך עובד פאנל סולארי

    ReplyDelete
  25. Edward BrownJanuary 1, 2020 at 5:32 AM

    Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us. אנרגיה סולארית לבית

    ReplyDelete
  26. Edward BrownJanuary 6, 2020 at 2:31 AM

    Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post with people.. עמדות טעינה לרכב חשמלי

    ReplyDelete
  27. Edward BrownJanuary 6, 2020 at 4:14 AM

    Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us. אנרגיה סולארית לבית

    ReplyDelete
  28. LewisJanuary 9, 2020 at 10:20 AM

    Monocrystalline solar cells are usually black and octagonal in shape. This type of solar cell is made of the highest and purest grade silicon which makes them expensive. FRIDGE REPAIR IN ALTADENTA

    ReplyDelete
  29. D. James AndersonApril 9, 2020 at 1:02 AM

    The motivation behind the intersection box is to secure the terminals (positive and negative terminals) from water, dust, and different components. Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  30. shaikhMay 1, 2020 at 12:16 PM

    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  31. albina N muroJune 24, 2020 at 2:00 AM

    Thanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for. benefits of buying instagram likes

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownJuly 30, 2020 at 5:13 AM

    I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this web page who has shared this wonderful paragraph at at this place Diagnosi Energetiche

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownJuly 30, 2020 at 5:28 AM

    I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike other blogs I have read which are really not that good.Thanks alot! olife

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownJuly 30, 2020 at 5:41 AM

    Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging, Preventivo Piscina

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hazel JackSeptember 15, 2020 at 10:06 PM

    They can also be placed in fountains, ponds or any water feature you can think of. solar lamps for garden

    ReplyDelete
  36. alex petarSeptember 24, 2020 at 1:36 PM

    An exceptionally complex method for composing, making impacts particularly in dialect and writing.
    photovoltaic system

    ReplyDelete
  37. Seo ProviderOctober 12, 2020 at 3:28 PM

    As soon as I found this web site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them. Cable Tray manufacturers in Pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  38. fashionNovember 1, 2020 at 12:09 AM

    Thanks for this great post, i find it very interesting and very well thought out and put together. I look forward to reading your work in the future. commercial sign manufacturers

    ReplyDelete
  39. GRK.00November 29, 2020 at 10:11 AM

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. bateria de litio

    ReplyDelete
  40. D. James AndersonDecember 4, 2020 at 12:46 AM

    Interconnecting solar panels produce considerably greater power.Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  41. cole-finchDecember 12, 2020 at 3:41 AM

    The HEPA channel that was created to eliminate extremely fine particles is a generally excellent speculation when purchasing any vacuum cleaner. https:/besteenergieleverancier.com/

    ReplyDelete
  42. Jack AlexanderDecember 12, 2020 at 6:50 AM

    The most frequently used option is a single, reversible meter. As a solar energy system produces electricity, the kilowatts are used first to meet on-site energy demand. Zonnepanelen kopen

    ReplyDelete
  43. Jack AlexanderDecember 12, 2020 at 6:50 AM

    The most frequently used option is a single, reversible meter. As a solar energy system produces electricity, the kilowatts are used first to meet on-site energy demand. Zonnepanelen kopen

    ReplyDelete
  44. sarahDecember 14, 2020 at 1:17 AM

    Energy is only an in a roundabout way noticed amount. Energy is all the more frequently comprehended as the capacity an actual framework needs to accomplish chip away at other actual frameworks specifically. www.besteenergieleverancier.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. abdulseoFebruary 3, 2021 at 1:55 AM

    Thanks for every other excellent post. The place else may just anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal manner of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such information. porn

    ReplyDelete
  46. Alex StarcMarch 12, 2021 at 5:22 AM

    Hi, I'm Alex Starc. I genuinely gained some remarkable experiences in assessing your article.
    Send gifts to Pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  47. Jack AlexanderJuly 13, 2021 at 7:30 AM

    Being environment friendly is important since the government is constantly coming up with ways to control global warming and the use of solar panels is a great way to start. Dallas solar companies

    ReplyDelete
  48. MUBEENSeptember 29, 2021 at 4:06 AM

    What a thrilling post, you have pointed out some excellent points, I as well believe this is a superb website. I have planned to visit it again and again. PVC

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)