Sustainable Home Trends in 2018 & Beyond

If you thought sustainable green construction was just a trend, it might be time to reconsider. And it isn't just young trendsters living in hip Portland neighborhoods, in fact - this recent report surveyed builders who stated that green building was a significant share of their overall activity (more than 60% of their portfolio) and that one-third had already built a net-zero home. 

Single and multifamily homes alike are rapidly gaining traction in the world of green construction and this is a trend set to rise remarkably by 2022. 

As consumers become more and more aware of the impact their homes have on health and well-being, paired with an understanding of issues we face as a whole, sustainable homes serve as a powerful, intelligent, ethical response. 

But that's not all! There are numerous reasons for the continued rise in popularity of sustainable homes. 

SUSTAINABLE HOME TRENDS IN 2018 AND BEYOND

 

UTMOST ENERGY-EFFICIENCY

In the United States, buildings account for 70% of total energy use (and about 40% of CO2 emissions).

For several years now, homeowners doing renovations or construction have been focusing on more energy-efficient appliances, better insulation, and other small passive measures. This trend is poised to intensify, with net-zero energy homes being the aim. A net-zero energy home produces as much (or more!) electricity as it uses. 

California has even mandated that all new homes built must be net-zero by the year 2020!

Get on board by checking out our Roost sub-option - the pinnacle of luxurious net-zero modular living. 
 

HOME AUTOMATION (SMART HOMES)

Appliances and systems in a home can be automated, that is - programmed to behave a certain way. Smart home automation allows you to dictate how, when, and why a device or system should react. 

Via a remote control (which could be your smart phone), you have control of your house from anywhere in the world.

Savings, convenience, and control are obvious benefits, but an automated home also alerts you to incidents you might want to know about right away such as unexpected entry or a water leak. 

We have no doubt that fully automated homes are the very near future! For HAVEN buyers who are interested in home automation but feel a bit overwhelmed, we're happy to help you understand and select smart home automation systems during the design phase of your HAVEN. 

A FOCUS ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HEALTH

Our homes are sealed environments, where all of the pollutants (think: cleaning sprays, artificial fragrances, dust, dander, mold, chemicals from new furniture and appliances, and building materials used to construct the home) get trapped and continuously circulate around us, inevitably being breathed in. Did you know that indoor air pollution is thought to be a bigger risk factor for health problems than outdoor air pollution?

The Cog FX Study really raised eyebrows when it showed that cognitive function was 61% higher in green buildings and a whopping 101% higher in enhanced green buildings! The implications are huge: what if your home is unintentionally causing poor health and poor performance (work, school...) in family members? It's something to take seriously. 

A new Harvard study examined green-certified buildings over a 16-year period in six different countries (U.S., China, India, Brazil, Germany and Turkey) and found nearly $6 billion in combined health and climate benefits!

Our use of non-toxic and sustainable materials in the green construction of HAVENS isn't just beautiful to look at, it creates a true sanctuary for healthy lives to flourish. 
 

BIOPHILIC DESIGN

As human beings, we have an inherent inclination to affiliate with nature. We are drawn to natural shapes and materials, natural light, and environmental features like plants. 

Despite these proclivities, over the last century our homes have been designed as barriers from nature. 

We design HAVENS to have a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, one that offers a sense of harmony and inspiration. You can feel this when you walk into a HAVEN.

These are just a few of the trends that are transitioning sustainable green building from a movement to a norm. As standards, codes, and rating systems are written and updated, and new smart technologies and design ideas emerge, eco-friendly buildings will take over mainstream. Watch this unfold in 2018 and beyond! Exciting, restorative times are ahead!