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100 Examples of Eco-Friendly Architecture

From Vaulted Bamboo Pavilions to Recycled Waste Homes

— October 29, 2015 — Eco
These examples of eco-friendly architecture demonstrate that modern design does not have to be harmful to the environment. Whether it is promoting biodiversity or generating renewable energy, these buildings represent the future of sustainable design.

One of the most interesting innovations in modern architecture is the effort to make homes and office buildings more energy efficient. For example, there are houses that feature solar panels capable of generating enough energy for entire neighborhoods. There are also breathing office towers that are equipped with natural ventilation systems that do not run on traditional energy sources.

Beyond efforts to reduce energy consumption, eco-friendly architecture is also characterized by a respect for the natural environment. Rather than destroying natural resources, many architects have found ways of incorporating natural elements into new structures. Some of these sustainable designs include expansive rooftop gardens, living wall units and even plant-based insulation.
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Compact Eco Residences
Compact Eco Residences
The 'Collaborative Tiny House Project' Teaches Students How to Build a Home
<
99
Energy-Producing Smart Homes
Energy-Producing Smart Homes
The Honda Smart Home Generates More Energy Than It Uses Up
<
98
Solar-Powered Heating Systems
Solar-Powered Heating Systems
The 'SunPump' Harnesses the Power of Solar Panels to Heat Homes
<
97
Stackable Solar Homes
Stackable Solar Homes
This Solar-Powered Home is Specially Designed for the Urban Environment
<
96
Expansive Glass-Back Abodes
Expansive Glass-Back Abodes
The Green House by Maniera Architects and Associates is Stunning
<
95
Energy-Positive Buildings
Energy-Positive Buildings
The EpiCenter Expansion Building Will Generate its Own Electricity
<
94
Slim Alleyway Abodes
Slim Alleyway Abodes
This Family Home in an Alley is Small, But Surprisingly Spacious
<
93
Breathing Office Buildings
Breathing Office Buildings
This Office Tower Effortlessly Moves Air Without the Use of Energy
<
92
Refurbished Foliage Offices
Refurbished Foliage Offices
This Old House was Transformed Into a Plant-Consumed Office Building
<
91
Shape-Shifting Abodes
Shape-Shifting Abodes
This Zero-Energy House Adapts to Changing Weather Conditions
<
90
Hemp-Covered Homes
Hemp-Covered Homes
This Home Relies on a Layer of Hemp to Keep the Structure Warm
<
89
Smartphone-Controlled Homes
Smartphone-Controlled Homes
El Refugio Inteligente is Energy-Efficient Via Smartphone Control
<
88
Clean Eco Houses
Clean Eco Houses
This Passive House Design Shows Off the Best of Sustainable Living
<
87
Latticed Eco Pavilions
Latticed Eco Pavilions
This Sustainable Italian Pavilion was a Winning Entry in Expo Milano 2015
<
86
Triple-Tiered Garden Homes
Triple-Tiered Garden Homes
This Multi-Level Organic Abode Creates Openness Within Small Quarters
<
85
Synergistic Eco Architecture
Synergistic Eco Architecture
'Sliding Nature' Marries Traditional Japanese and Western Designs
<
84
Environmentally Conscious Wildlife Havens
Environmentally Conscious Wildlife Havens
This Contemporary Barn Home is Stunning and Sustainable
<
83
Greenery-Embracing Buildings
Greenery-Embracing Buildings
The Ravel Plaza Complex Will Feature Large Balconies With Vegetation
<
82
Charming Organic Winter Cottages
Charming Organic Winter Cottages
This Small Cottage is Functional and Only 18 Square Meters Big
<
81
Bamboo-Made Skyscrapers
Bamboo-Made Skyscrapers
This Trio of Sustainable Towers Will Be Connected By Bridges
<
80
Vaulted Bamboo Pavilions
Vaulted Bamboo Pavilions
This Conference Hall is Made from Two Kinds of Locally Sourced Bamboo
<
79
Oxidizing Copper Rooftops
Oxidizing Copper Rooftops
House VDV in Belgium Features a Copper Rooftop that Changes Color
<
78
Large Scale Green Communities
Large Scale Green Communities
This Plan Proposes the Largest Green Roof in the World
<
77
Vertical Garden Condominiums
Vertical Garden Condominiums
Tree House Singapore Set the World Record for Largest Vertical Garden
<
76
Eco-Friendly 1930s Homes
Eco-Friendly 1930s Homes
The Renovated Casa 31_4 Room House is Now a Modern Green Marvel
<
75
Recycled Waste Homes
Recycled Waste Homes
The Waste House is Entirely Made Out of Rubbish
<
74
Health-Restoring Home Renovations
Health-Restoring Home Renovations
This Virginia Farmhouse Was Updated with Wellness-Focused Design
<
73
Sustainable Automated Homes
Sustainable Automated Homes
The W.I.N.D. House in North Holland is a Modern Marvel
<
72
Energy-Efficient Flatpack Homes
Energy-Efficient Flatpack Homes
This Prefab House Produces as Much Energy as It Consumes
<
71
Flood-Resistant Homes
Flood-Resistant Homes
This Durable Beach House is Designed to Withstand Powerful Storms
<
70
Land-Salvaging Homes
Land-Salvaging Homes
This Off-Grid Home Was Built From Reused Industrial Materials Via Boat
<
69
Cubic Sustainable Abodes
Cubic Sustainable Abodes
This Sustainable Modern Design is Architecturally Bold and Airy
<
68
Dumpster-Dwelling Experiments
Dumpster-Dwelling Experiments
This Trashy Tiny Eco House Symbolizes Unsustainable Living
<
67
Aerial Bamboo Forest Homes
Aerial Bamboo Forest Homes
The Bamboo Clad Casa Flotanta Floats Above the Costa Rican Forest
<
66
Detached Forest Retreats
Detached Forest Retreats
The Off/Ramberg House in Norway is Sustainably Rustic
<
65
Energy-Positive Homes
Energy-Positive Homes
Solcer House Generates More Energy Than It Needs
<
64
Sustainable Treehouse Abodes
Sustainable Treehouse Abodes
This Eco-Friendly Ranch House is Luxurious and Rustic
<
63
Pre-Fabricated Farm Homes
Pre-Fabricated Farm Homes
This Contemporary Estate Stands Out in its Rural Farm Setting
<
62
Tree Top Studio Structures
Tree Top Studio Structures
The Tree Top Studio Uses Passive Cooling
<
61
Capsule-Shaped Shelters
Capsule-Shaped Shelters
The Ecocapsule Will Be Unveiled At the Pioneers Festival
<
60
Body Clock-Conscious Homes
Body Clock-Conscious Homes
The Photon Space Home Helps Residents Embrace Circadian Rhythms
<
59
Upcycled Shipping Container Abodes
Upcycled Shipping Container Abodes
GM's Shipping Container House Will Recycle from Its Factories
<
58
Compact Modular Shelters
Compact Modular Shelters
The Vivood Shelter Can Be Easily Assembled in Just One Day
<
57
Green-Roofed Wooden Houses
Green-Roofed Wooden Houses
This Energy-Efficient Home Was Built Using Traditional Techniques
<
56
Eco-Friendly Rural Homes
Eco-Friendly Rural Homes
The Nannup Holiday House in Australia Embraces Nature’s Gifts
<
55
Sustainable Luxury Villas
Sustainable Luxury Villas
Casa 7A is a Luxurious and Sustainable Country Villa
<
54
Concealed Garden Abodes
Concealed Garden Abodes
This Modern Japanese Home Boasts a Hidden Rooftop Garden
<
53
Biodiversity-Promoting Abodes
Biodiversity-Promoting Abodes
This Lightweight Shelter Blends into the Natural Environment
<
52
Wilderness-Immersed Luxury Lodges
Wilderness-Immersed Luxury Lodges
Leobo Private Reserve in South Africa Redefines Secluded Luxury
<
51
Natural Earthy Sanctuaries
Natural Earthy Sanctuaries
The Earth House Project is Holistic Haven
<
50
Panoramic Japanese Farmhouses
Panoramic Japanese Farmhouses
This Cozy Cottage Takes Advantage of the Surrounding Elements
<
49
Elevated Eco Homes
Elevated Eco Homes
GLUCK+'s Tower House Residence Treads Lightly on the Land
<
48
Wooden-Clad Holiday Homes
Wooden-Clad Holiday Homes
The Hideg-Ház Home Stands Out From Sculptural Cliffs and Woodlands
<
47
Carbon Positive Houses
Carbon Positive Houses
This Prefab Home Only Uses a Tiny Fraction of the Energy It Generates
<
46
Adaptable Polycarbonate Roofs
Adaptable Polycarbonate Roofs
Villa in Hakuba's Roof can Withstand Heavy Snowfall and Sunlight
<
45
Floating Off-Grid Homes
Floating Off-Grid Homes
Port X is a Modular Home That Can Be Installed on Water or Land
<
44
Maintenance-Free Homes
Maintenance-Free Homes
This Sustainable House Design is Stunning and Smart
<
43
Forest-Reflecting Glass Homes
Forest-Reflecting Glass Homes
This Modern Tower House Refelcts the Forest and Surrounding Area
<
42
Solar-Powered Homes
Solar-Powered Homes
The Taoshouse's Energy Needs are Met By a Solar Array
<
41
Off-Grid Vacation Homes
Off-Grid Vacation Homes
This Vacation Home in Hawaii Cost Only $23,000 to Build
<
40
Lush Organic Floating Houses
Lush Organic Floating Houses
This Wooden Tree House is Stunning, Functional and All Natural
<
39
3D-Printed Houses
3D-Printed Houses
This 3D Printer Can Build Ten Houses in a Day Using Recycled Materials
<
38
Eclectic Tin Shed Homes
Eclectic Tin Shed Homes
Inspiring Eco Architecture by Rafaello Rosselli Embraces Rusticity
<
37
Self-Sustaining Charming Homes
Self-Sustaining Charming Homes
This Eco-Friendly House by Anderson Architecture is a Green Haven
<
36
Geometrically Pattered Seaside Havens
Geometrically Pattered Seaside Havens
This Timber-Clad Beachside Villa is Serene and Stunning
<
35
Self-Sustainable Abodes
Self-Sustainable Abodes
The Pump House is Tranquil, Bright and Beautifully Crafted
<
34
Portable Sub-Zero Homes
Portable Sub-Zero Homes
Leaf House Version.3 is Designed to Withstand Sub-Zero Temperatures
<
33
Space-Saving Green Homes
Space-Saving Green Homes
The Beach Avenue Home Makes the Most of its Tiny Plot of Land
<
32
Shipping Container Terminals
Shipping Container Terminals
The Barneveld Noord Train Station Has a Simple but Strong Presence
<
31
Recycled Refugee Residences
Recycled Refugee Residences
Agora Architects Created a Bamboo Structure to Help Fleeing Burmese
<
30
Movable Luxury Houses
Movable Luxury Houses
This London Flat is Stylish and Affordable for New Home Owners
<
29
Sustainable Wooden Studios
Sustainable Wooden Studios
This Simple Spanish Cabin Boasts an Eco-Friendly Design
<
28
Sleek Sustainable Abodes
Sleek Sustainable Abodes
This 100% Renewable Energy House is Stunning
<
27
Ultra Energy-Efficient Homes
Ultra Energy-Efficient Homes
BioCasa 82 is the First European Home With an LEED Platinum Rating
<
26
Self-Learning Smart Homes
Self-Learning Smart Homes
Aktivhaus B10's Intelligently Manages and Shares Energy and Resources
<
25
Sustainable Solar Homes
Sustainable Solar Homes
The NexusHaus Relies on Solar Power to Meet Its Energy Needs
<
24
Sustainable Forest Homes
Sustainable Forest Homes
Passive House Che is Located In a Romanian Forest
<
23
Eco-Friendly Portuguese Homes
Eco-Friendly Portuguese Homes
Miramar House is Located in a Picturesque Portuguese Town
<
22
Converted Tiny Homes
Converted Tiny Homes
This Tiny Home is Actually a Converted Storehouse
<
21
Crooked Eco Abodes
Crooked Eco Abodes
The Huba Shelter Has No Right Angles, Yet it's Spot-On Amazing
<
20
Tiny DIY Dwellings
Tiny DIY Dwellings
This Tiny Mobile Home was Made by Dee Williams and is 84-Square-Feet
<
19
Low-Energy Bohemian Abodes
Low-Energy Bohemian Abodes
This Uniquely Shaped Wooden Bohemian House is Compact and Cozy
<
18
Lulling Lux Oceanfront Abodes
Lulling Lux Oceanfront Abodes
This Mexican Beach House is Stunning and Spa-Like
<
17
Open Source Floating Homes
Open Source Floating Homes
The Floating House is Designed By Carl Turner Architects
<
16
Sustainable Bamboo Homes
Sustainable Bamboo Homes
Elora Hardy's Eco-Friendly Bamboo Homes are Breathtakingly Beautiful
<
15
Village-Inspired Homes
Village-Inspired Homes
The Tower House by Andrew Maynard Architects is a Throwback to Village Life
<
14
Off-Grid Tiny Homes
Off-Grid Tiny Homes
The POD-Indawo is Designed For Life in South Africa
<
13
Luxury Tiny Homes
Luxury Tiny Homes
The Tiny Heirloom Features an Automated House Control System
<
12
Glass-Encased Tree Houses
Glass-Encased Tree Houses
The Tree in the House is Located in the Forests of Almaty, Kazakhstan
<
11
Solar-Powered Micro Homes
Solar-Powered Micro Homes
The New 'Ecocapsule' Homes Make It Easy to Live Off the Grid
<
10
Energy-Generating Prefab Homes
Energy-Generating Prefab Homes
The P.A.T.H. Home Creates More Energy Than It Uses
<
9
Elevated Sustainable Homes
Elevated Sustainable Homes
This Elevated Eco House is a Practical Space That Reduces Waste
<
8
Recycled Concrete Homes
Recycled Concrete Homes
This Australia Architect Used Recycled Materials to Create an Eco Dwelling
<
7
Refurbished Barn Homes
Refurbished Barn Homes
This Rustic Cottage Was Built Using Materials Recycled from an Old Barn
<
6
Versatile Prefab Cabins
Versatile Prefab Cabins
2by4 Architects' Prefab Homes Can Function On and Off The Grid
<
5
Eco-Friendly Underground Mansions
Eco-Friendly Underground Mansions
This Luxe Underground Dwelling Minimizes the Use of Green Space
<
4
Tropical Cozy Cabins
Tropical Cozy Cabins
This Tiny Hawaiian Wood Cabin is Only 200 Square Feet But Feels Airy
<
3
Floating Skyline Havens
Floating Skyline Havens
This Wood Cliffside Home Has Idyllic Views and is Eco-Friendly
<
2
Concealed Tree House Hotels
Concealed Tree House Hotels
Nelson Invites Nature Lovers to Spend a Night Amongst the Trees
<
1
Compact Prefab Homes
Compact Prefab Homes
This Modular Prefab Home Called 'The Passion House' Takes Two Days to Set Up
<