FreeGreen Showcases Free Plans for Affordable Green Homes

Freegreen.com 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 Who's Next? in green home design. Designers from all over the world have submitted plans for affordable green homes that fit contemporary lifestyles. Twelve finalists have been chosen and we've rounded up our top six green homes from this year's competition - read on for our favorites!

The Loft House by Alan Knox This traditional massed house focuses upon passive solar design 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.

Woodloft by MBA Architectes This compact, two-story home places a strong focus on high performance insulation, large windows for daylighting, solar hot water heating and rainwater collection.

(Sub)urban House by 24 Architecture 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.

Urban Savoir Faire by Tergos 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, greywater recycling and much more.

A Modern Craftsman for the New South by Daryl S. Rantis Architects P. A. This traditionally-styled but completely modern home features solar panels on the roof and is built from SIPs. Planned for an urban infill lot, the Modern Craftsman is to LEED

The Eco-Box by SERPA + LEE 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.