Home is where the heart is, and where residents invest most of their time and resources. More and more people are choosing homes that are economically and environmentally sustainable. There are already more than 12,000 LEED-certified homes in the United States, and demand for green residential building has remained strong despite the downturn in the housing market. As residential green building continues to grow, resources and guidelines that cover the essentials of green building are needed more than ever.

Avi Friedman, a professor and world-renowned architect, has created a practical handbook to help architects, builders and other professionals construct and retrofit homes to be sustainable. In Fundamentals of Sustainable Dwellings, Friedman charts a new course for residential building—one in which social, cultural, economic, and environmental values are part of every design decision.

The book begins with a concise overview of green building principles, covering topics such as sustainable resources and common certification methods. Each following chapter examines a critical aspect of green home construction, from siting to waste management options. Friedman provides basics about energy-efficient windows and heating and cooling systems, and offers innovative solutions like edible landscaping and green roofs.

Clearly written and full of helpful illustrations and case studies, the book lays out the path ahead for architects, developers, home builders, codes officials, and students of architecture and green design looking to create livable, sustainable, and economical homes.

The result is a clear, helpful, and inspiring step-by-step handbook for every professional in the burgeoning field of residential green building.
 

Avi Friedman is a world-renowned architect, award winning professor and Director of the Affordable Homes Research Group at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is also the recipient of the World Habitat Award.