 The "cabin-in-the-woods" concept is becoming quite stylish and eco-friendly when it comes to the latest green designs and models. There are many examples that are a testament to how beautiful "roughing it" can be as well as providing a healthier situation for you and the planet.
One strategy that is successful in green building is daylighting, also known as passive solar. This is a technique that doesn't require any photovoltaic systems, just the positioning and planning of the cabin so that sunlight is used efficiently. This allows for optimal solar use and less energy consumption. Look out for taller buildings and trees that will inhibit sunlight from reaching the building. Southern facing windows are best for passive heating, with east and west exposure being the most difficult to deal with. However, a site with poor solar exposure is not a poor site; it will just require creative building design to take advantage of what exposure there is available.
One of the most distinguishing features in regards to cabins is rather obvious—they are built with wood. Wood buildings have received a bad rap due to all of the information out there about forest clear cutting, but there is a solution! Use sustainable wood. Whether you need a finished wood product, a few small pieces of lumber for a simple project or timbers for the construction of an entire home, sustainable wood is always a safe choice. Given the benefits to the environment and our future, it's the one kind of wood you can feel good about using. Look for products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an organization that has developed sustainable standards for forest management and operates programs that verify adherence to them. Avoid all tropical hardwoods, woods like redwood, Douglas firs and many western cedars, which typically come from unsustainably harvested forests unless they have been certified. Look for products made with reclaimed or recycled wood. This is wood that has been used before, so no trees are cut.
The idealist may enjoy the fact that it is still possible to have your own Thoreau -like experience out in the woods in a cabin easily and sustainably. All it takes is carefully planning and defining your goals and hiring the right help so that your dream can come to fruition. Be sure to hire a reliable green designer and builder so that your cabin will be as green as possible without disturbing its surroundings.
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