Published Articles ![]()
Sun/Passive Solar ![]()
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Reflections on Warmth
Clarke Snell encourages us to make friends and play nice with our planet’s natural heater.
» Go Solar and Save Big!
Every homeowner needs to know that passive solar design results in huge savings on energy bills.
Sun/Active Solar ![]()
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Renewable Energy: A Green Building Fundamental
Clarke Snell speaks with Ole Sorensen of Solar Dynamics about the favorite son (pun intended) of green building.
Sun/Reactivated Solar ![]()
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Is Wood Good?
Clarke Snell evaluates burning wood as an eco-friendly heating option.
Earth ![]()
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Firewood: Don’t Burn It, Build With It
Clarke Snell explores a building technique that’s been slow to hit the green scene.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: What is Natural Building?
Clarke Snell answers this important question.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Outdoor Rooms: Part 1
Clarke Snell reminds us of the difference—to ourselves and our planet—a little outdoor living can make.
»
BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Outdoor Rooms: Part 2
Clarke Snell shares five flooring considerations for the “to deck or not to deck” question.
»
BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: “Building” Green Beyond the Home
Clarke Snell and Chuck Marsh get you thinking about the space outside your green house, just in time for spring.
Community ![]()
» Should You Build It Yourself?
If you accept the premise that good houses are a symbiosis between specific people and a specific hunk of earth, then you have no choice but to get involved in creating your house. The question is, how far should you go?
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Thwart the Diabolical Extraterrestrials: Buy Local Paint
Clarke Snell explains the interesting connection between aliens and decorative finishes.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Notes from the Green Building Trenches: Should You Build Your Own House?
Clarke Snell dishes the dirt and busts the myths about this puzzling question.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Wherever You Go, There You Are: My Experience with Community
Clarke Snell discusses the fundamentals of building a strong neighborhood.
» Is Your Light Trespassing?
Michael Figura shines a spotlight on the negative effects of outdoor lighting.
» Flatter the Forests: Create Balanced Cities with Biomimicry
Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and the urban imitating the natural is a feasible goal, Michael Figura explains.
» Programming Your Next Home Purchase to Help Create Sustainable Communities
Michael Figura shows you how to evaluate your real estate choices and see “livable” in a whole new light.
Community/Transportation ![]()
» It’s Important to Plan Ahead
so our communities can grow sustainably, says Mike Figura.
» A Healthy Blueprint for America
Michael Figura explains how we can all age in place with a little sustainable planning.
Community/Economics ![]()
» Blazing the Green Home Trail
This change of season brings green changes to Asheville’s Multiple Listing Service, shares Michael Figura.
» Gentrification and Smart Growth
Michael Figura shares what we can do to combat the negative effects of a move back to the city.
Community/Politics ![]()
» Health and Community Design: Applying Ecology to the Urban Environment
Michael Figura explores how our communities and habits keep us from moving our bodies.
Design ![]()
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Footloose and Carbon-Free
Clarke Snell spells out the standards of a Passive House.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Engineering Fundamentals
Clarke Snell interviews local mechanical engineer Jeff Buscher about zero energy design and going green
in our climate.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Holistic Health: Mind, Body and Building?
Clarke Snell explains that the definition of health, including that of the planet, should include green buildings themselves.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Land Ho: Discover a Plot’s Green Potential
Clarke Snell shares five things to consider to be sure you’ve landed the best home site.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Certifiably Green
Clarke Snell interviews Maggie Leslie of the WNC Green Building Councill about green home certification and what it means for the term “green building.”
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Energy Efficiency Geek-Out: Anatomy of Windows and Doors Part I
Pretty? Yes. Functional? Yes. Problematic? That’s a yes, too, says Clarke Snell.
» BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS: Energy Efficiency Geek-Out: Anatomy of Windows and Doors Part II
They don’t have to be the problematic parts of your house, says Clarke Snell.



