FreeGreen Showcases Free Plans for Affordable Green Homes

<a href="http://freegreen.com/" target="_blank">Freegreen.com</a> is a compendium of affordable green house plans that are available for free online, and they've just launched a competition showcasing a stunning set of projects to see <a href="http://www.freegreen.com/whosnext/" target="_blank">Who's Next?</a> in green home design. Designers from all over the world have submitted plans for <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/19/upcycled-living-rolls-out-affordable-shipping-container-housing/" target="_blank">affordable green homes</a> that fit contemporary lifestyles. Twelve finalists have been chosen and we've rounded up our top six <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/sustainable-building/" target="_blank">green homes</a> from this year's competition - read on for our favorites!

<b>The Loft House by Alan Knox</b> <br> <br> This traditional massed house focuses upon <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/19/sustain-design-studios-affordable-trio-prefab-lands-in-ontario/">passive solar design</a> and a strong focus on natural daylighting and ventilation. The roof can easily accept solar panels and is designed to harvest rainwater, which collects on one side of the house.

<b>Woodloft by MBA Architectes</b> This compact, two-story home places a strong focus on <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/11/exciting-advances-in-insulation-with-aerogel/">high performance insulation</a>, large windows for daylighting, solar hot water heating and rainwater collection.

<b>(Sub)urban House by 24 Architecture</b> <br> <br> This modern, flexible home for a growing family also uses innovative passive heating and cooling systems, like geothermal air tubes, solar chimneys, shading and natural ventilation.

<b>Urban Savoir Faire by Tergos</b> <br> <br> Planned for an urban infill lot, this home is designed to be a refuge from the city and achieve LEED certification. The home includes natural ventilation, solar panels, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/28/sinktoilet-combo-is-an-all-in-one-greywater-recycling-system/">greywater recycling</a> and much more.

<b>A Modern Craftsman for the New South by Daryl S. Rantis Architects P. A.</b> This traditionally-styled but completely modern home features <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/solar-power/">solar panels</a> on the roof and is built from SIPs. Planned for an urban infill lot, the Modern Craftsman is designed to achieve LEED certification.

<b>The Eco-Box by SERPA + LEE</b> <br> <br> A non-traditional modern house with a system of dynamic shading devices on the exterior made from either glass or vegetation. The home is linear by design and includes solar panels and a living roof.