At AKAR, we believe a custom home should do more than reflect your style — it should respect the planet, enhance your well-being, and perform beautifully for generations. Sustainable design isn’t a single decision — it’s a series of smart, integrated choices that lead to a healthier, more resilient way of living.
Why Build a Sustainable Home?
A sustainable home reduces energy and water use, improves indoor air quality, and lowers operating costs — all while creating spaces that feel more connected to the landscape and more attuned to your daily life. It’s not just responsible — it’s rewarding.
Smart Material Choices for a Greener Build
The materials you select shape your home's environmental footprint from day one. AKAR thoughtfully specifies sustainable products that balance durability, aesthetics, and impact.
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Reclaimed & Recycled Materials
Add character and reduce landfill waste with reclaimed wood, recycled glass, or repurposed metal. -
Rapidly Renewable Resources
Bamboo, cork, and strawboard are fast-growing, durable alternatives to hardwood. -
Low-VOC Paints & Finishes
Improve indoor air quality by avoiding off-gassing from traditional products. -
Locally Sourced Materials
Reduce emissions from transport and support regional economies. -
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Provide high thermal mass and excellent energy performance—often made with recycled materials.
Energy Efficiency from the Ground Up
Energy efficiency begins at the design stage. At AKAR, we take a holistic approach — integrating climate-responsive design with advanced systems and smart technology.
Passive Solar Design Strategies
Use nature to your advantage.
- Southern Exposure: Maximize solar gain in winter by placing large windows on the south side.
- Roof Overhangs: Block high summer sun but allow in low-angle winter sunlight.
- Thermal Massing: Concrete or stone floors store heat and release it slowly.
- Cross Ventilation: Align operable windows to draw breezes through the house.
- Landscape Shading: Use deciduous trees to block heat in summer and admit light in winter.
These passive strategies reduce heating and cooling needs — and they cost nothing to operate.
Smart Home Technology for Energy Savings
Technology, when used wisely, enhances both performance and comfort.
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Automated Window Shades
Lower shades to block summer heat gain; open them to welcome winter sun — maximizing passive heating and reducing mechanical loads. -
Occupancy & Motion Sensors
Install in hallways, closets, and bathrooms to ensure lights turn off when not in use. -
Smart Dimmers & Switches
Adjust brightness to suit mood and time of day — saving energy while creating ambiance. -
Smart Thermostats
Learn your habits, optimize settings, and reduce unnecessary heating or cooling when no one’s home.
Radiant Floors vs. Forced Air Systems
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Radiant Floor Heating
Delivers silent, even warmth beneath your feet — ideal for tile, concrete, and open-plan living. Works especially well with passive solar designs. -
Forced Air Systems
Heat the air and distribute it through ducts. Easy to install and fast-acting but can create temperature swings and drafts.
Geothermal vs. Traditional Furnaces
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Geothermal Heating & Cooling
Uses the earth’s steady underground temperature to regulate your home efficiently year-round. Higher upfront cost, but significant long-term savings and environmental benefit. -
High-Efficiency Furnaces
Gas or electric systems with sealed ductwork and programmable controls — effective and widely available.
Water Conservation That Works
Sustainable homes are designed to respect and conserve water.
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Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Collect and store roof runoff for irrigation and non-potable uses. -
Low-Flow Fixtures
EPA-certified toilets, faucets, and showerheads drastically cut water usage without sacrificing performance. -
Greywater Systems
Reuse lightly used water (from laundry or sinks) for irrigation and secondary plumbing systems.
Landscaping and Site Design for Sustainability
The land is part of the home. AKAR incorporates environmental stewardship into every site plan.
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Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Reduce lawn space in favor of native and low-water plantings. -
Green Roofs & Living Walls
Insulate your home naturally, manage rainwater, and promote biodiversity. -
Topography-Informed Design
Design homes that follow the land’s contours, reducing site disruption and erosion.
Healthy Indoor Air and Living Environments
We design homes to support both physical health and mental well-being.
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Low- or No-VOC Materials
Keep indoor air clean and safe for sensitive occupants. -
Natural Ventilation
Operable windows, clerestories, and skylights reduce the need for mechanical ventilation. -
Biophilic Design
Introduce nature indoors through views, materials, textures, and light — proven to lower stress and improve mood. -
Air-Purifying Plants
Strategically placed greenery that complements your design and improves air quality.
Start Your Sustainable Home with AKAR
At AKAR, sustainable design is never a bolt-on — it’s woven into the DNA of your home from the start. Every decision—materials, systems, orientation, form — is an opportunity to create something beautiful, efficient, and enduring.
Let’s build a custom home that’s smart, sustainable, and uniquely yours.
