| Finding a green architect to build your dream home is | | | | affiliations of your candidates. |
| not an easy task. With the rise of the "going green" | | | | Green Rule Number 2: Talk to your prospects |
| movement, many eco-friendly designers and | | | | Once you narrowed your list to five candidates or |
| architects are now available to you. However, more | | | | so, call or arrange for a meeting (don't forget to ask |
| is not necessarily better. How do you choose the | | | | if your candidate charges for a meeting). Tell your |
| best architect for your project? How do you know | | | | prospects about your ideal home and ask them for |
| that the architect is truly green? And where do you | | | | an estimate. Remember that the meeting/phone call |
| look? Here we discuss these pressing questions. | | | | is mainly for you to get a feel for your candidates. |
| Green Rule Number 1: green architects don't grow on | | | | Since you are going to be working with your |
| trees | | | | architect closely for the following months, you want |
| Most green architects list themselves on green design | | | | to make sure you are comfortable with whomever |
| web directories, environmental magazines and design | | | | you choose. |
| books. Begin your search on the web. You are likely | | | | Green Rule Number 3: Visit a finished home |
| to come up with many names. One way to limit your | | | | Ask to the architect visit a house similar that they |
| search is by checking weather your prospective | | | | designed in style/design to what you envision. There |
| green architects have a LEED certification. | | | | is nothing quite like seeing a finished home when you |
| In order to be considered green, architects must | | | | choose an architect. Take the time to talk to the |
| pass the LEED exam (leadership in environmental and | | | | homeowner about the architect. Were they aware or |
| energy design), which is composed by USBC (The US | | | | deadlines? Were they available for questions |
| green building council). It is also a good idea to verify | | | | between meetings? |
| any diplomas, certifications, and professional | | | | |