Explore 63+ Gorgeous Low Cost Eco House Design For Every Budget

If you're looking for a low cost, eco-friendly, sustainable house design, look no further than the various designs available through the Art Deco movement. Though rooted in the past, Art Deco has been the foundation of many modern-day houses — from skyscrapers to single-family homes. The use of modern materials and energy-efficient materials have enabled Art Deco designers to create low-cost, spacious, and eco-friendly homes. Let's explore ten of the top Art Deco designs for those who are looking to stay within a tight budget and minimize their ecological footprint.

One popular low cost sustainable house design is the simple low-cost eco house design. This simple yet attractive design uses easy-to-find materials such as reclaimed wood and glass. It forgoes a number of ornate details which make it far more affordable than other Art Deco house designs. The simple low-cost eco design also keeps energy costs low by utilizing natural light and ventilation. Additionally, this design often includes a green roof which can further reduce energy costs.

Another popular low cost sustainable design is the Passivhaus design. This design is based on strict energy standards used in Europe but is now making its way into the United States. It utilizes passive cooling — and heating — through smart material design and placement. This library of certified materials increases the chances of an efficient home while being budget friendly.

For those looking for a truly eco-friendly house design, a low-VOC design may be the way to go. This design utilizes materials and finishes which have a lower Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emission rate. Additionally, these materials help to reduce interior air quality. This in turn creates a healthier home that uses fewer resources than conventional buildings.

The simple low-cost eco house design is an affordable option that is also attractive and energy efficient. Unlike many of the grander and more ornate Art Deco designs, the simple low-cost eco house design features a basic yet attractive design. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, the architecture utilizes natural sunlight and ventilation for energy-saving measures. This is just one of the various low cost eco house designs that many Art Deco architects have implemented in their designs.

In addition to the attractive architecture, the simple low-cost eco house design uses a variety of low cost materials. Reclaimed lumber, glass, concrete, and more feature heavily in these designs. This allows the design to be significantly cheaper than other standard Art Deco house designs — and also more eco-friendly. Furthermore, these low-cost materials tend to be more durable and require less energy to install than traditional building materials.

A green roof is another common element of the simple low-cost eco house design. This helps to reduce energy costs and create an aesthetic that further emphasizes the design’s low-cost sustainability. Additionally, green roofs can help to insulate the home and reduce the amount of heat absorbed during the summer. All of this helps to lower energy bills while increasing a home’s overall sustainability.

The Passivhaus standard is now making its way into the United States and allows builders to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Passivhaus is a strict set of standards for airtightness, insulation, and thermal performance. As a result, homes built to these standards are extremely energy efficient and, in many cases, require no supplemental heating or cooling systems.

For those looking for a low cost sustainable house design, the Passivhaus design is perfect. By utilizing a library of certified materials and designs, it maximizes energy efficiency for a tight budget. Additionally, as the standards become widely adopted, materials and labor costs will become more available — further reducing costs.

Furthermore, the Passivhaus design emphasizes the importance of intuitive design. This means that the home is designed with practicality in mind. There is thought given to the user's experience and their relationship to the home — from the amount of windows to the natural ventilation. As a result, the home not only optimizes energy efficiency, but creates a comfortable living space for those inside.

For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, a low-VOC house design may be the way to go. These designs utilize materials that emit lower levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It's estimated that VOCs account for up to 10% of indoor air pollution and may have serious health impacts. As a result, using low-VOC materials can improve air quality in the home — which is especially important for those with allergies or asthma.

Low-VOC materials are also a great way to reduce energy costs. Less energy is required to produce, install, and maintain them. Additionally, these materials tend to be more durable and last longer than traditional building materials. This means that less maintenance and energy are needed — which can save the homeowner money in the long run.

Finally, a low-VOC house design is aesthetically pleasing to look at. Materials such as bamboo, cork, and wood are all low-VOC materials which bring a natural and homey feel to the design. Using these materials greatly increases the aesthetic quality of the home while simultaneously reducing energy costs and VOC emissions.

Prefab low cost eco modular homes are a great way to reduce construction costs while still creating a sustainable and attractive house design. By utilizing modular homes, much of the design is already predetermined — such as certain wall measures, floor plans, and ceiling heights. This reduces the amount of time and money needed to build the home. Additionally, the cost of the materials is fixed and often lower due to their mass produced nature. This makes it much easier to budget for the project from the start.

The materials used in prefab low cost eco modular homes are also often renewable and sustainable. This is especially beneficial for those looking to create a low-cost, eco-friendly home design. Eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, corrugated metal, and recycled glass feature heavily in these designs. Again, due to the modular nature of these homes, the materials are often cheaper — which further reduces the cost of the project.

Additionally, prefab low cost eco modular homes are often much more aesthetically pleasing than people first assume. Thanks to the modular nature of these homes, architects can play with symmetry and angles to create a home that looks modern and well-planned. And, due to their cost-effectiveness, architects can also play with feature pieces such as wood paneling, curtain walls, and more.

Green and low-cost house designs marry the use of sustainable materials with an attractive aesthetic. This is perfect for those who are both eco- conscious and looking for a design that won't break the bank. This combination of sustainability and cost-effectiveness is the hallmark of green and low-cost house designs.

Common materials found in green and low-cost house designs include straw bales, rammed earth, and straw-clay infill walls. All of these materials are renewable and can help reduce energy costs while still being attractive. Additionally, they tend to be cheaper than traditional building materials — helping to reduce the cost of the project overall. For those looking for added savings, re-purposed materials can also be utilized in green and low-cost house designs.

Green and low-cost house designs also seek to reduce energy costs while creating an aesthetically pleasing design. This is done through the use of natural light and ventilation, as well as utilizing thick insulation which helps to create an energy-efficient structure. This can be further complemented with the use of a green roof. Along with aesthetic and energy-saving benefits, a green roof can help to reduce stormwater runoff — which is especially beneficial in areas of intense rainfall.

For those who are looking for an accessible house design, the Art Deco movement has a number of low cost options available. The use of sustainable materials helps to keep these designs cost-effective. Additionally, they can be tailored to fit the needs of those looking for a more accessible home — which can make day-to-day living a much simpler experience.

A low cost accessible design typically starts with choosing the right floor plan. This often means eliminating any stairs, or adding handrails to aid those with mobility impairments. Additionally, depending on the individual's needs, grab bars and lever door handles should be considered. As these designs often use recycled materials, special care should be taken to make sure that these materials are of good quality before being used.

Along with the physical design of the home, accessible house designs should also take into account energy efficiency. This means adding insulation to the walls and utilizing natural light and ventilation wherever possible. This helps reduce costs while simultaneously making the home more sustainable.

For those looking for an energy-efficient design, the Art Deco movement can also provide a number of low cost net-zero home designs. These homes are designed to produce as much energy as they consume — meaning their energy usage is ‘net-zero’. This can greatly reduce — or even eliminate — energy bills while creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly home.

Low cost net-zero home designs typically utilize solar panels and a solar water heating system. By using passive solar techniques, the amount of energy used is greatly reduced. Additionally, installing a solar water heating system can help reduce water bills as well.

For those looking to save even more money, efficient appliances and green building products should also be considered. This includes energy-efficient washing machines and refrigerators, as well as eco-friendly building materials such as low-VOC paints and recycled lumber. These measures may seem small, but can produce big savings in the long run.

Zip Kit homes provide yet another low-cost eco home design. Zip Kit homes are often modular and come in various sizes — with some Zip Kit homes even being mobile. These designs are also renowned for their energy efficiency and fast turnaround times — with some homes being assembled within a few weeks. This is perfect for those who don't have the time or money to build their dream home from the ground up.

Zip Kit homes also come with a range of energy-efficient features which can reduce energy costs while creating a sustainable home. This includes LED lighting and insulation made from recycled materials. modular Zip Kit homes are also highly customizable — meaning that they can be tailored to many different spaces.

No matter the size, Zip Kit homes provide a great low cost eco house design. Along with their energy efficiency, they are mobile and easy to assemble — making them a great choice for those who are looking to save both money and time.

Thermal mass low cost eco house designs utilize materials which have large thermal mass — meaning they absorb and retain large amounts of energy. This can help to keep a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter — reducing energy costs and increasing a home’s sustainability. Additionally, the use of thermal mass can also help to reduce exterior noise and create a more comfortable and peaceful living space.

The use of thermal mass materials is a common feature of low cost eco house designs. However, some materials are better for thermal mass than others. This includes materials such as concrete, brick, and stone — all of which are relatively cheap and easy to install. Additionally, these materials tend to be stronger and more durable than traditional materials — reducing maintenance costs in the long run.

For those looking for a low cost eco house design that incorporates thermal mass, the Art Deco movement is a great resource. Many Art Deco architects focused on the use of sustainable materials — which includes those with large thermal mass. From concrete walls to thick stone floors, there's a number of materials which can help create a home that's both aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient.