Solar & Environmental Design

Passive Solar

As an early pioneer in passive solar design, David has designed solar architecture for virtually all climate zones and has authored three books which have helped define the principles of architectural climate design and the types of architectural solutions which are the mainstream concepts today. Throughout his architectural career, he's developed techniques which can address almost any architectural and lifestyle needs in almost any climate zone:

Space Heating
Space Cooling

Domestic Water Heating
Natural Ventilation

Natural Cooling
Daylighting

Active Solar

We are experienced with all types of solar systems, and have organized a team of design and installation consultants who can provide complete services for conditioning needs of any type of building:

Space Heating Needs
Radiant Heating Systems

Domestic Water Heating
Solar Mechanical Systems

Evaporative Cooling Systems
Heat Pump Systems

Solar Electric

Our expertise also includes the integration of solar photovoltaic (P.V.) systems with our building designs. We work with consultant teams for design, installation, and maintenance of P.V. roof arrays, remote arrays, battery storage, and grid interface systems for:

Lighting
Sound

Refrigeration
Power
Communications

Cooling
Water pumping

For more information on solar design, please visit:

Our expertise also includes the integration of solar photovoltaic (P.V.) systems with our building designs. We work with consultant teams for design, installation, and maintenance of P.V. roof arrays, remote arrays, battery storage, and grid interface systems for:

Building Technology

As Solar Environmental Architects, we have over 35 years of experience with alternative and appropriate building materials and systems. We’ve designed buildings that integrate structural and finish materials which are non-resource depleting, environmentally green and clean, and which perform well for a wide range of individual and architectural needs. Each project calls for a certain combination of appropriate systems and materials which respond to the climate zone, construction parameters, and budget. We work with a varied team of engineers and builders. Each are experts in their fields. Together we are conversant with, and specialize in, many types of construction, such as:

Adobe
Earth Sheltered
Engineered Lumber

Insulated Concrete (ICF)
Post and Beam
Rammed Earth

Steel Frame
Straw Bale
Wood Frame

Sustainability
High Thermal Efficiency
Daylighting

Natural Ventilation
Fireproofing
Non-Toxicity

Low Maintenance
Earthquake and Hurricane Resistance
Acoustic Control

We have a working knowledge of and expertise in many performance type attributes of construction, notably: