Green Architecture | Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture

Browsing All Posts filed under »Green Architecture«

Barley Pfeiffer Architecture designed Tiny house could become your new home

December 3, 2014 by lonestarsocial

By Amanda Brandeis at KXAN News For the past year, Austin Community College students have worked with partners from around the city to create an energy efficient, tiny home. The 288 square-foot-home is now ready to live in, and is up for auction. “It’s a nifty house,” says Peter Pfeiffer, Principal of Barley Pfeiffer Architecture. “Everybody […]

What to Consider Before Starting Construction On Your Dream Home

November 19, 2014 by lonestarsocial

So you and your architect have settled on a plan for your remodel or your custom new-build home. You can already envision gathering with family and friends to cook delicious meals in your new chef’s kitchen. Or even feel the warmth of your new steam shower. But before all that can come to fruition, you must […]

Is a Phased Construction Project Right for You?

November 5, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Breaking up your remodel or custom home project has benefits and disadvantages. See if it’s right for you. Squaring a project’s goals and budget — often two very different things — is a common problem architects and homeowners confront in a project’s earliest planning stages. The two almost never align when we begin. Working to […]

100 Contractor Tips to Read Before You Remodel

October 22, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Have a better remodel experience with tips from a contractor on how to plan, shop and communicate The contractor-homeowner relationship can be complicated, but it’s not hopeless — understanding the process can help you get the most out of your remodeling project. Take a look at the hints and suggestions I’ve picked up from my […]

7 Things Every Homeowner Should Know About Drought Proofing Your Home

October 15, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Right now close to 50% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought. Why should homeowners care? 1. Thanks to climate change, California and Texas’s drought is spreading. Over the next couple of decades more than 400 counties in the U.S. may be going through an extreme dry spell, according to a study by the […]

7 Smart Ways to Save Water and Money at Your Home!

October 1, 2014 by lonestarsocial

These water-saving products make every drop count. Some can even trim your electric bill. Even if you live in an area where water is plentiful, drought can still strike thanks to climate change. In some parts of the country, water conservation is the law, and you can get serious fines — or even have your […]

8 Approaches to Mid-Century Modern Design

September 24, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Mid-century modern describes an era of style and design that began in the mid-1940s and continued into the mid-1960s. At the time, architecture was greatly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s environmental focus and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s functional structures. Most of these homes included expansive windows, open layouts and materials such as glass, wood, metal and concrete. Interiors […]

Is Solar-thermal Hot Water for You?

September 3, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Roof-top solar panels that create hot water with sunshine significantly reduce energy bills and are relatively easy to install and maintain. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on average we spend about $308 per year, per household, just to have hot water ready at the twist of a faucet handle. But you could slash […]

Why Now Is The Time To Seriously Consider Going Solar

August 27, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Falling costs, a host of temporary incentives, and thousands in value-adds make this a great time to add solar power to your home. Here are 11 reasons to have a sunny outlook on solar panels. Solar power for homes is going mainstream, and if you haven’t thought about adding the technology to your home, you should. […]

How-To-Guide To Recycling Your Kitchen

July 9, 2014 by lonestarsocial

Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 170 million tons of construction and demolition waste were generated in 2003 (the last year for which figures are available), with most of it ending up in landfills. The sad part is that much of what ends up as waste could have been reused or recycled. While recycling building […]