Stuck at home on Earth Day? That shouldn’t preclude you from figuring out ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home and create a healthy living environment. You will save energy and money, and your home will be more comfortable and durable.

Homes are increasingly being designed and constructed toward the greener end of the construction spectrum.

“Between catastrophic weather events and global pandemics, green buildings are more important now than ever before,” said Jane Frederick, president of the American Institute of Architects. “Not only can green homes lower utilities, they can operate independently of public utilities, offering homeowners resilience and peace of mind.”

She added, “Building green is a key element of architects’ mission to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Earth Day is a good opportunity to both celebrate progress in green building and sustainable design and to recognize the growing need for green homes.”

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, here’s a sampling of residential designs with eco-friendly features.

Optima Inc.

A cornerstone of community design at Optima Inc. is including green space to seamlessly connect residents to nature. Numerous studies suggest that contact to nature has positive effects for human physical and psychological well-being.

At Optima Kierland Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, a development of luxury rental and for-sale residences, residents have access to lush rooftop landscaping, an outdoor Zen garden and 5.5 acres of lushly landscaped courtyards with fountains.

A multiphase development project, each building within Optima Kierland Center is connected to the others through aesthetic structure and physical pathways amid lush gardens. Within the building, an innovative vertical planting system features self-containing irrigation and drainage, including vibrant and colorful planters at the edge of each floor. The system ultimately culminates into a beautiful rooftop garden.

At Optima Sonoran Village in Arizona, 60 percent of its grounds are open space that not only mediate the harsh desert climate but also create visually stunning landscaped areas to be enjoyed by residents and the community. A Kaleidoscope Juice Bar with patio seating is also on site.

In Chicago, luxury rental tower Optima Signature offers residents and the surrounding Streeterville neighborhood access to a tree-lined public plaza near its front entrance with a short walk to the lakefront and the Riverwalk.

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