Increasing environmental awareness and the prospect of saving thousands of dollars on electricity bills have made green homes the hottest item in the housing world. But how exactly does one go green, and what are the benefits? Through a series of photographs, floor plans, and detailed drawings, Green Homes: New Ideas for Sustainable Living presents 35 projects that feature various aspects of green design, from how much energy went into manufacturing the building materials to whether they're long-lasting or recyclable. Below are a few of the book's highlights on the progress of ecological design, as well as tips on how to incorporate green features into your own home and reap its benefits for years to come.

Ever wondered why people bother with plants and grass on inaccessible roof gardens? A roof garden provides natural cooling during the summer and insulates the house during the winter. Raise your house above the ground and you'll also protect yourself from the damp terrain.

Toxicity within a house can be significantly reduced by using wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC approves only untreated (i.e. non-toxic) materials from sustainable sources. Couple that with paint and primers free of preservatives, fungicides, and VOC content and you'll be in non-toxic heaven.

Red cedar is extremely resistant to rot -- and therefore longer-lasting -- while cork provides insulation against the cold and outside noises (and excellent acoustics on the inside).

The outside walls and roof of a house can be built using compressed recycled newspaper. Just like rooftop gardens, this also gives good protection against the summer heat and good thermal insulation in the winter by blocking drafts.

Not all columns need to be cylindrical. A bulb-like column (picture a round-bottomed vase stretching from floor to ceiling) can generate cool air currents and cross ventilation in a house, and totally eliminate the need for air-conditioning. It also provides structural support for the roof and doubles up as a rainwater tank for domestic use (bathrooms, washing machine, and occasionally even drinking).

Passive solar dwelling refers to a house oriented so that it benefits from the sun during the winter and cross ventilation during the summer.

Prefabricated homes don't necessarily mean trailers or unsightly mobiles -- nowadays, a wide range of houses can be built using expensive-looking pre-made materials that halve assembly time and minimize construction waste.

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