Green is a way to approach design, construction and operation of your home that reduces the negative impact on our environment while providing the healthiest living space possible.

No question... green is having its “day in the sun”... this will only accelerate in the days ahead and it will soon become an ubiquitous term. At Modern Bend we will put an LED light on all aspects of green solutions... many of which are combinations of passive and active strategies.

Interestingly, sustainable strategies are most easily and affordably delivered by looking back at time-honored concepts of site-specific, regional building design. Passive as the new Active... proper site orientation for maximum sun exposure during winter months, natural ventilation systems, strategically placed roof overhangs and trees as well as thermal mass that can absorb and retain heat. Of course, these strategies will only work if implemented within the design phase prior to construction. Another important strategy is how we can design today for what can be affordably adapted tomorrow.

The state of Oregon, and Central Oregon specifically, has taken a strong position on the green front-lines. We expect to highlight those technological innovations, practical solutions and political obstacles (e.g. code restrictions) as often as we hear from our Contributors. Clearly, the responsibility for sustaining our world as a healthy environment rests with all of us. Given the major impact the architecture and building communities have on our environment (i.e. disproportionate waste stream contributions) a greater responsibility should be carried by those communities to adopt sustainable building practices. Many have accepted the challenge. We will highlight those best practices and fresh ideas for "design-that-works."

Let the Green in.