Case studies of sustainable, affordable houses and developments are valuable in illustrating the successful application of sustainable design strategies in actual projects, by housing developers. They can prove to skeptics that sustainable design is a realistic option in affordable housing. They also can set a benchmark for sustainability, which new projects can strive to exceed.

The building projects included in this section may not each be the epitome of affordable, sustainable design, but each case study has noteworthy features that illustrate some of the design patterns and recommendations of ASTA.

Beware of comparing case studies with each other or with your own project in terms of cost. These case study projects were built over a range of years, in very different housing markets. Also, some projects relied on volunteer labor, product donations, or grants to reduce project cost, while others separated the cost of the house from the cost of the land. Comparing the square footage of projects also can also be tricky, since some measurements may count unfinished basement space or garage space within the total, while others include only current living space.

Casa Verde Builders
Homes built by youth construction crews in Austin, Texas, include alternative wall materials, recycled materials, efficient and natural cooling, and durable low-maintenance exterior finishes.

Casas de Don Juan
Two single-family homes built in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as part of an affordable housing program.  The homes include natural lighting, energy efficiency, on-site water catchment, and the use of locally-available materials.  

Cascadia
An affordable housing design that has been constructed by several developers in the Pacific Northwest.  The design incorporates structural insulated panel walls for energy efficiency and reduces construction waste. 

Emeryville Resourceful Building Project
A three-unit affordable housing project in Emeryville, California, that incorporates resource and energy-efficiency measures; use of recycled, durable, non-toxic building materials; and job-site recycling. 

Erie-Ellington Homes
A 50-unit, low-income housing development in Boston, Massachusetts, that incorporates energy efficiency measures, manufactured components to reduce waste and labor costs, and infill of existing neighborhoods.

Esperanza del Sol
A single-family home development in Dallas, Texas, that illustrates energy- and resource-efficient, environmentally-sensitive housing.

GreenHOME I 
An all-volunteer project in Washington, D.C., that incorporates energy- and resource-efficient design features and careful construction, as well as environmentally-friendly building products and landscaping. 

Hawaii Energy-Efficient Model Demonstration Home
A demonstration project in Waianae, Hawaii, that saves occupants money by saving energy. The home's features include solar water heating, energy efficiency, and natural ventilation.

Home Town – Neighborhood Development
An 1,100-home development in Chicago, Illinois, that incorporates a number of sustainable features. Its builder guarantees that heating bills for the first three years will not exceed $400 per year.

Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity “Green” Program
Habitat for Humanity homes built in Denver, Colorado, that feature solar water-heating, energy-efficient design and systems, recycled materials, and water-conserving fixtures and landscaping.

Northside Strawbale Project
A two-home project in Missoula, Montana, featuring resource-efficient materials, including strawbale walls, reused building materials, and energy-efficiency measures.

O’Brien – Cunningham Home
A private, owner-developed, residence in Bainbridge Island, Washington, that incorporates stormwater management, space-efficient design, construction waste prevention and recycling, and indoor air quality considerations. 

The Vista at Kensington Park
A 13-home demonstration project in Dallas, Texas, that combines energy efficiency, structural insulated panels, and other features to provide affordable homes for first-time buyers.

For more examples of homes that incorporate principles of sustainable design with affordability, see our listing of Additional Examples, and visit the Building America projects or the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) National Pilots, Demonstration Sites and Field Evaluations.