Hey David...
Let me be the first to welcome and thank you for providing expertise on green architecture! The green movement is definitely moving into the mainstream and the day when the word "green" goes away and is replaced by smart, efficient design is coming soon. I just wanted to add to the discussion by letting bloggers know that your home and interior is only half of the solution. There are many ways that you can "green" your landscape and reap the benefits ($$$$) of new technology. As you are aware, site selection and the siting of your home is very important in new construction. In addition, permeable paving, shading of windows and hard surfaces, rainwater harvesting, turf reduction, and the use of native plants is equally important. But, existing homeowners can also incorporate green technology by using efficient irrigation systems, installing rain gardens, incorporating recycled and salvaged materials in DIY projects, and utilizing the same concepts used in new construction.
The LEED program preaches the benefits of a design team approach and I just wanted to throw landscape architecture's hat into the ring to let homeowners know that it is more than just walls and what hangs on them! Thanks for debunking the myth that "green" is ugly or weird and I look forward to the discussion!

Dean Hill, ASLA
Co-Host, Grounds for Improvement

Hi Dean,

Thanks for the welcome! And I couldn’t agree more with your points. A team approach (architect, interior designer, landscape architect, engineers, contractor, etc.) is crucial to a well thought through and effective green design. For a green project, DIY or not, it’s important to keep in mind that you should try to approach your projects “holistically,” meaning that very frequently one thing can affect another. For example, adding insulation or replacing windows may mean that a new furnace or air conditioner can be smaller (and less expensive) due to infiltration. Or, as a landscape example – to keep that “hat in the ring” – using indigenous plants or groundcover may mean less (or no!) irrigation needed.

I also agree about the term green design becoming outdated as it becomes a more central part of good design. I wrote something related here: http://cyberg.com/transgreen_article.htm

David Bergman
Columnist, Green Home Blog

Interior design is nice alolng with lanscaping as well as all of the other wonderful requests such as the exterior of a home being beautiful. However, in the end #1- GREEN...Environment then cash. Our health comes first. Meaning that my moldy basement is not healthy, filling landfills with materials when I can recycle and reuse is healthy to me because that is less gas expelled into the air from beneath the ground, and carpets that trap dust and have chemicals fumes from the fibers that you breath for such a long period of time that people do not realize causes such harm.
I will get off of that soap box...
Cash that you save from insulating your home properly with cellulose--a ton. I built 2 homes that were insulated that way and in resale, no one wants to pay you for those upgrades because they have no clue how much money they end up saving. Windows--BIG Must for not going cheap and you will save big. Most of all..of course you are not depleated our natural resources by letting it flow right out the door and windows.