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Architects Design an Eco-Friendly Home For Barbie

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Date: Aug 24, 2011

Barbie's Eco-Friendly Dream House
By: Rebecca Fleischer
Beach houses, castles, vacation homes, cottages and mansions have been designed for Barbie. And now, a sustainable home can be added to that list.
On August 2, the American Institute of Architects announced the winners of their recent competition that challenged designers to create Barbie’s dream house for Mattel’s I Can Be…Architect Barbie.

Barbie’s Dream House

The winning designers, Ting Li, Assoc., LEED AP and Maja Paklar Assoc. AIA, offer sustainable features on the house that is United States Green Building Council (USGBC)-certified and includes solar panels, a roof with a landscaped garden and irrigation system, operable shading devices, bamboo flooring and low flow toilet and sink fixtures. Plus, the home encourages energy efficiency, with an efficient HVAC system, energy-efficient lighting and ENERGY STAR appliances that decrease energy use.
Located in Malibu, California, this almost 4,900 square foot Barbie house also promotes the use of fuel-efficient transportation with a small parking spot for her scooter, in lieu of a large car garage.
Photo: Designed by Ting Li, Assoc., LEED AP and Maja Paklar Assoc. AIA. Click on the picture to see more 

Your Energy-Efficient Dream Home

While Barbie’s new dream home is an imaginative vision for energy efficiency and sustainability, transforming your home into an energy-efficient haven can be a reality.
  • The Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN) offers a handy Energy Code Guide so you can see if your home meets national standards.   
  •  Barbie isn’t the only one who can install ENERGY STAR appliances. Check out this Alliance and EnergyNOW! video that tells you more about energy-efficient appliances.  
  • You can also check out additional videos by the Alliance and EnergyNOW! that provide tips on how to make energy-efficient choices in your house.
  • Do you live in the southeastern United States? Learn more about home retrofits with the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Better Buildings Program – SEEA WISE.
  • And if your house is in need of Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) certification, check the USGBC Building Certification Rating Systems. Both existing and potential buildings can use these guidelines.