For a major overhaul, consider installing photovoltaic cells on your roof, hydronic radiant heating in your floors, double-glazed panes in your windows and low-flow toilets in your bathroom.

FORBES: Julia Cosgrove

Other resource-efficient projects like New York's 4 Times Square office building, Atlanta's EarthCraft House and Village Habitat Design's cohousing conservation communities include such innovations as energy-efficient insulation, water and air filtration, or hydronic heating, aiming for healthy, nontoxic construction processes and buildings for humans and the environment.

CNN: Developer advocates 'spiritual' approach to building