Within Arizona(USA) is a beautiful cliff-dwelling built by the Sinagua people in 1100-1425 AD. Montezuma Castle (renamed to this by colonizers) has around 20 rooms, and is built using a method that today people call “passive solar building.”

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona, USA

“In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy, in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.” Wikipedia

For the cliff dwelling, that included a design that ensured the buildings were hit with the heat of the low-winter sun, but protected from the high-summer sun by overhang. It also made use of ventilation, small windows and doors (to reduce temperature loss), and more.

For greenhouses, even in colder climates where temperatures can reach -40c(-40f), passive solar designs are enabling greenhouses to run all-year. [1]

For houses, they can save the owners money on both heating and cooling, which is why they are very common in both earth-houses [2] and earth-ship [3] designs.

Window Awnings

By reducing the need for artificial cooling and protecting windows from damage, Window Awnings support a future that's more comfortable, energy-efficient, and resilient to extreme weather.

In hot weather, windows become major heat sources—-especially those facing south or west. Sunlight pours in, heating up rooms and overworking fans or AC (if you have it). Awnings offer passive solar cooling by shading windows and blocking direct sunlight before it reaches the glass.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, awnings can reduce solar heat gain by 65% on south-facing windows, and 77% on west-facing windows. [1]

This not only cools your home naturally but also protects furniture and flooring from UV damage. Well-placed awnings also let in low winter sun, making them effective year-round in passive solar design.

Types of Awnings

• Fixed Awnings: Permanent structures that consistently block sunlight. Simple and effective for sunny windows.
• Retractable Awnings: Can be pulled in or out depending on the weather or season. More adaptable, but usually more expensive.
• Clamshell Awnings: Durable, hinged panels (often aluminum) that can be propped open for shade or dropped fully closed during storms.

Why Clamshell Awnings Deserve a Comeback

Clamshell-style awnings are a practical choice for anyone in storm-prone areas—-or for those off-grid who want a multi-use, no-power-needed solution. When closed, they form a protective shell over the window, guarding against extreme weather.

Tips for DIY Installers

• Angle awnings to block the high summer sun but allow in low winter sunlight.
• Choose durable, weather-resistant materials like aluminum, treated wood, or fabric with UV protection.
• For clamshells, check salvage yards or second-hand stores—-they're often available for cheap and easy to repaint.

---

#GreenLiving #Housing #Building #FarmingAndGardening

Housing First is a powerful, proven approach to ending homelessness—one that starts with a simple but radical idea: people need stable housing before anything else.

Instead of requiring people to get sober, find work, or jump through bureaucratic hoops first, Housing First gives individuals a permanent place to live right away, then connects them with support services like healthcare, counseling, and job training.

Finland’s Success Story

Silta’s community space, where tenants go for gardening or group BBQs. Image by Lilly Dietz. Finland, 2024.

While the Housing First model was originally developed in the United States in the 1990s, Finland has become one of its most successful adopters. In just over a decade, Finland has reduced homelessness dramatically—from over 20,000 people to under 4,000, making it the only EU country where homelessness is consistently declining.

The key to Finland’s success:

• Permanent housing is treated as a basic human right
• Support services are optional but available, not conditional
• There’s a focus on community and dignity, not punishment

One example is Silta, a housing unit with communal gardens, BBQ spaces, and gathering areas where tenants can build connections and find purpose.

• 🎥 Inside Finland’s Approach
• 🎥 Finland’s Housing First Documentary
• 📰 Pulitzer Center – A Look at Finland’s Housing First Initiative

Housing First in the United States

Though the U.S. invented Housing First, adoption has been uneven. Some cities have launched successful programs, but many regions still prioritize temporary shelters or emergency interventions over long-term stability.

• 🎥 Housing First in the U.S. – Explained

Why It Matters

Housing First is a real-world policy that:

• Reduces homelessness and poverty
• Increases public health and safety
• Treats people with respect and dignity
• Reduces long-term public spending on emergency services and shelters

In short, it’s a practical, compassionate model that shows what’s possible when we prioritize people over punishment.

---

#communitybuilding #housing

One thing all cities should enforce for future builds(especially for skyscrapers), is bird-protection on windows.

In Canada, 16-42 million birds[1] are killed by window strikes, and in the USA, that number goes up to 365 million-1 billion. [2]

Sadly, one or two of those bird-shaped decals do not help, since the decals have to be no more than 2-inches apart.

“Window decals may help, but they must be placed no more than 2-4 inches apart in order to be effective. Birds will try to fly through larger gaps. This means that on large windows, many closely spaced decals may be necessary to deter bird collisions.” Audubon

Luckily, the fix for this window problem is easy. For the first example; there are bird-safe decorative window films and decals(they must go on the outside of the window).

The most common design is made up of several small white dots, while others are more decorative.

If decals will not work for you (they sometimes don’t last in cold climates), you can opt for permanent (and more expensive) window etchings.

Need an even less expensive option? You can make your own dots or designs using a Uni-Posca pen. The markings can be scraped off if needed. Just remember that the markings must be on the outside part of the window for them to work.

• 

  Trellis Bird Safety Film

• 

  Etched glass

---

#cityplanning #betterbuilds #cities #building #housing #greenliving