I'm often asked about plans for Solar, Green Home designs that ordinary folks can buy rather than engaging an architect for a custom design. My office is focused on custom designs tailored to individual families. Consequently, these aren't appropriate for most people.
Fortunately, I stumbled on a site that features some very nice, well designed affordable, passive solar green homes. www.sunplans.com
While this a good resource I need to add a word of caution in that all of the designs I reviewed would overheat in our climate and the overhangs were insufficient for our summer sun angle. They appear to be midwestern climate designs. My mantra continues to be Regionally Appropriate design.
The amount and type of window glazing on each facade, the orientation, the size and location of summer shading devices, the cost effective amount of insulation all have an impact on comfort and the thermal - e.g. energy optimization - of the home.
If you do find a design that attracts you, a good deal of homework will be needed to tweek the design so that it works equally well to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer in our extreme climate here in North Texas.
