“5 Lessons From a House That Generates More Energy Than It Uses”
In the NPR article “5 Lessons From a House That Generates More Energy Than It Uses,” Climate Desk reporter Jeff Brady explores Robert Fortunato’s “Green Idea House” in Hermosa Beach, California—a 2,150 square foot home remodeled to produce more energy than it consumes. Brady underscores five key lessons from the project, one of which emphasizes the importance of research and planning.
As part of that, he highlights HouseZero®, the CGBC headquarters and retrofitted lab building in Cambridge, MA., targeting ultra-energy efficient standards. Like Fortunato’s home, HouseZero is an example of how passive design strategies—such as overhangs and window placement—can dramatically reduce energy use. Brady spoke with CGBC Founding Director Ali Malkawi, who emphasized that while advanced technologies offer an exciting way forward for the future of sustainable design, they need to work synchronously with passive design principles that have long guided climate-responsive building practices.
