In today’s society, we hear “green" this and “green" that. Greenness is often through of as driving a hybrid car, reusing shopping bags, or recycling. But what about our homes? Can there be such a thing as green architecture?

It is true that one could build a home out of recycled materials. Folks have done it. But really, would you trust the structural integrity of a home built from scrap metal and cork? Probably not. I would much rather have a conventional home. Although I am a supporter of “normal" homes, I can be an advocate of green architecture as well.

Consider the following: I am building a new home. I want to save money on lumber, so I get a company to truck it in from a few hundred miles away as opposed to spending a little more to buy local. I am the enemy squared…not only am I using trees for my lumber, but I am also using a lot of fuel to truck in my lumber. The key here is to buy local. You are both stimulating local business as well as our environment. You hear everyone these days moaning and complaining about gas prices-well stop using so much! Instead of buying your items big chain stores where everything is trucked in, go to a local store that has locally produced products.

I’ve also heard in recent news that many people are opposed to mining gravel used in the building of homes. Well, I’ve got news for you. To build most homes, you need gravel. Ok, so I understand you don’t want a gravel mine in your back yard. But here’s the thing: you need the dirt either way. Either you purchase the gravel locally, promote local economy, and save fuel, or you can spend a lot of money on trucking, not promote the local economy, and have the same product.

The point that I am making with all of this ranting is the fact that many times, green architecture can be found where we least expect it. Many people have stereotypical ideas of what greenness is, but there are simple choices that the average consumer can make to promote green architecture. The easiest thing for a consumer to do… buy local.