A Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit group recently showcased 13 extremely energy-efficient homes in four Northwest states. The homes were designed to use 30 percent less energy than a traditional house.
The poised white rectangle has the appeal of classic Modernism, but it is also a critical part of the sustainability story: The frame’s deep overhang helps shield the house’s main southern exposure from the region’s scorching sun.
Circular design and trusses that radiate from the center and distribute forces evenly are among the features that have allowed houses by Deltec Homes to stand up to powerful storms, the home builder says.
