Passive solar architecture is a design strategy that optimizes a building’s energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. By relying on a building site’s solar orientation and climate, sustainable ...

Ancillary spaces such as the pantry, bathroom, and closet sit on the home's cooler, north-facing side, whereas the primary living spaces are on the warmer, south-facing side. Butler notes that the ...

As I discussed in last week’s column ("Resilience: Dramatically Better Building Envelopes," Jan. 4), a resilient home is extremely well-insulated, so that it can be kept warm with very little ...

Whole Sun Designs specializes in residential and commercial solar installations, solar thermal, passive solar home design and hydronic radiant flooring heating systems. It offers products from ...

A Shelby County couple built a custom home using passive solar design principles. The home's orientation and an "air floor" help it absorb and store the sun's heat. This design allows the house to ...

Passive solar — a building approach that uses the sun's energy for heating, cooling, and lighting without mechanical equipment — helps keep homes comfy year-round. When Doug Butler and Jamie Jarboe ...