Page 22 - Builder Brief May 2025

S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y & G R E E N B U I L D I N G
REGION-RESPONSIVE DESIGN:
COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR RESILIENCE
AND COMFORT
The trend toward increasingly
severe weather-related events
brings to light some challenges
facing the entire home-building
industry. From wildfires to tornadoes,
hurricanes, increasingly heavy rains,
heat and drought, there is a greater
pressure to meet increasing energy
efficiency standards, and provide
more comfort in our rapidly changing
environment.
Region-responsive design is a
method in which builders design
homes to be more resilient and
responsive to their region-specific
climatic setting. It's a concept that
is gaining recognition for producing
structures that are more resilient,
and homes that can meet that challenge can have lower
operating and ownership costs, which will lead to greater
value.
Informed design decisions, site planning and proper
selection of materials, along with tried-and-true passive
solar design and construction strategies can mitigate the
climate impacts and provide a cost-effective, energy-
efficient home. The key starting point is recognizing those
climate conditions that can be mitigated and capitalizing
on the conditions that will contribute to a safe, comfortable
and healthy home.
The building industry will be confronted with increasing
challenges from climate-related events. The basis for every
region-responsive design is a simple, well-designed and
constructed building envelope, which will maximize the
passive benefits.
Passive solar design and natural ventilation are design
strategies that use the specific attributes and orientation
of a site. Some design choices that adhere to this strategy
include:
y Proper placement of windows and skylights to provide
natural passive ventilation, improving health and
comfort during the shoulder months without the aid
of mechanical air-conditioning and heating systems;
y East- and south-facing windows to maximize energy
gain when needed for heating and enhance healthy
natural lighting;
y Shading of windows and doors utilizing sensible
roof overhangs, awnings and well-placed vegetation
to mitigate unwanted solar heat gain in cooling
dominated climates and seasons;
y Strategic placement of non-living spaces such as
garages, hallways and laundry rooms to provide
buffers from unwanted chilly winter winds or intense
summer solar heat gain.
Utilizing renewable energy systems for electrification,
such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines, will not
by themselves achieve the goals of substantial fossil
fuel reduction and the associated atmospheric damage.
Region-responsive design provides cost-effective
strategies to meet these challenges, and provides greater
health, comfort and increased value to your product.
The Sustainability and Green Building Subcommittee
and NAHB staff have produced a number of resources to
help educate and guide builders on building more efficient
homes. See more on nahb.org.
22 MAY 2025 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION