Sweeney Architecture Blog

Information, news, and insights about Passive Homes, construction and design.

Sweeney Architecture Blog

Information, news, and insights about Passive Homes, construction and design.

Simplus Systems Blog

Information, news, and insights about Passive Homes,
construction, and design.

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Energy Efficiency

A collage showing smokestacks emitting pollution, modern wind turbines, and power lines, with a red arrow symbolizing rising energy costs and a bright, energy-efficient home in the corner.

3 min read

Why Rising Energy Costs Make Smarter Housing a No-Brainer

Picture of Timothy Lorang Timothy Lorang: Jul 29, 2025 9:36:02 AM

What a recent Ezra Klein episode reveals about cost, permitting, and how to rebuild faster On a recent episode of The Ezra Klein Show, climate...

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Architectural drawing of energy-efficient townhouses with solar panels, illustrating sustainable design and passive solar features.

3 min read

The 3 Simple Steps to Maximize Energy Efficiency Without Increasing Costs

Picture of Tim Sweeney Tim Sweeney: Apr 3, 2025 6:57:37 AM

The Way Forward The way we design and construct buildings today will shape the future of our planet. With rising energy costs and growing concerns...

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1 min read

Tim Sweeney Interviewed on Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast!

Picture of Timothy Lorang Timothy Lorang: Feb 16, 2024 3:49:00 AM

Tim Sweeney, Owner and CEO of Sweeney Architecture and creator of the Simplus Building System, was recently featured in an interview conducted by...

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Prototypical Residence Hall

2 min read

Six Reasons Universities Should Support More Efficient and Sustainable Building Projects.

Picture of Rod Aeschlimann Rod Aeschlimann: Nov 24, 2023 2:21:35 PM

When it comes to selecting the most beneficial construction systems for new Residential Life, Housing, and Foodservice buildings, University and...

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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on the hill.

2 min read

Sweeney Architecture Brings the Benefits of the IMPEL Program to Nevada

Picture of Tim Sweeney Tim Sweeney: Oct 25, 2023 12:50:00 PM

As our climate crisis increases the demand for more sustainable building solutions, the U.S. Department of Energy's IMPEL program has empowered a...

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2 min read

Why We MUST Switch to Truly Sustainable Construction NOW!

Picture of Tim Sweeney Tim Sweeney: Oct 14, 2023 3:00:00 AM

Aren't the Building Codes all that we need to comply with? Why must we switch to truly Sustainable Construction NOW? The short answer to that...

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1 min read

What is the Best Energy Design Software for a Green Home or Building?

Picture of Tim Sweeney Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023 1:56:59 PM

Opinions of what’s the “Best” software depends upon whom you’re talking to. What’s actually being used typically depends upon the preference of the...

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2 min read

Your Future Depends Upon Switching to Green Energy & Green Buildings

Picture of Tim Sweeney Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023 9:10:45 AM

The Simple Truths are: Fossil Fuels are the predominant source of energy for most of our lives. They power vehicles, heat buildings, cook our meals,...

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3 min read

Why Rising Energy Costs Make Smarter Housing a No-Brainer

Timothy Lorang: Jul 29, 2025

What a recent Ezra Klein episode reveals about cost, permitting, and how to rebuild faster On a recent episode of The...
6 min read

Wildfire Resilient Homes: Policy and Building Solutions That Work

Timothy Lorang: Jul 13, 2025

Wildfires don’t just destroy homes—they upend entire communities. From Paradise to Lahaina to Los Angeles, fire...
4 min read

Wildfire Resilient Homes: Safe Indoor Air with Passive House Design

Timothy Lorang: Jul 6, 2025

When a wildfire hits, most people worry about flames. But smoke is often both the immediate killer and the more...
4 min read

Wildfire Resilient Homes: Fireproofing with MgO Panels That Don’t Burn

Timothy Lorang: Jul 6, 2025

When it comes to wildfires, speed is everything. Fires can jump highways, level homes in minutes, and spread from...
3 min read

The Land Is There. The Real Question Is How We Build On It

Timothy Lorang: Apr 22, 2025

The Housing Crisis Isn't Just About Land The United States doesn’t have a land shortage. From booming metro areas in...
3 min read

The 3 Simple Steps to Maximize Energy Efficiency Without Increasing Costs

Tim Sweeney: Apr 3, 2025

The Way Forward The way we design and construct buildings today will shape the future of our planet. With rising energy...
3 min read

Why We Can’t Rebuild the Old Way After the LA Fires

Timothy Lorang: Mar 24, 2025

LA Is at a Crossroads The wildfires that tore through Los Angeles County this January weren’t just devastating—they...
15 min read

Before It's too Late, Distinguished Speaker Series

Tim Sweeney: Nov 6, 2024

On September 19, 2024, Tim Sweeney gave a presentation to the Dianne Dodd Cheseldine Distinguished Speaker Series at...
1 min read

Building to Benefit the Planet: Join Tim Sweeney at the Dianne Dodd Cheseldine Distinguished Speaker Series

Timothy Lorang: Sep 12, 2024

As climate change continues to be one of the most pressing challenges of our time, the call for sustainable building...
2 min read

Beyond Affordable Student Housing

Timothy Lorang: Apr 22, 2024

Cal State Long Beach Breaks Ground on $115 Million La Playa Residence Hall Project. According to this recent article in...
3 min read

Earn Tax Credits for your Energy Ready Multifamily Building Now

Timothy Lorang: Mar 30, 2024

Your next multifamily building project could earn thousands of dollars in tax credits. To help the country meet its...
1 min read

‘Passive House Design’ could be the future of sustainable living

Timothy Lorang: Feb 16, 2024

After Tim Sweeney after his presentation of "Before It's Too Late," at the Nevada AIA Luncheon, KOLO 8 Reporter Taylor...
1 min read

Tim Sweeney Interviewed on Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast!

Timothy Lorang: Feb 16, 2024

Tim Sweeney, Owner and CEO of Sweeney Architecture and creator of the Simplus Building System, was recently featured in...
1 min read

Building a More Sustainable Future: A Conversation with the Inventor of Simplus Building System™

Timothy Lorang: Feb 1, 2024

The exclusive interview by QeCAD with lead architect Tim Sweeney, posted on EINPresswire.com., highlights the Simplus...
3 min read

Why Most Uninsulated Concrete Tilt-up Construction should be Prohibited

Tim Sweeney: Jan 5, 2024

There is more than adequate proof that poorly and uninsulated tilt-up concrete construction is a terrible Loop Hole in...
2 min read

Six Reasons Universities Should Support More Efficient and Sustainable Building Projects.

Rod Aeschlimann: Nov 24, 2023

When it comes to selecting the most beneficial construction systems for new Residential Life, Housing, and Foodservice...
3 min read

The Rise of Sustainability-Minded Builders: Shaping the Future of Construction

Tim Sweeney: Nov 2, 2023

Discover how sustainability-minded builders are revolutionizing the construction industry and shaping a greener future...
2 min read

Sweeney Architecture Brings the Benefits of the IMPEL Program to Nevada

Tim Sweeney: Oct 25, 2023

As our climate crisis increases the demand for more sustainable building solutions, the U.S. Department of Energy's...
2 min read

Why We MUST Switch to Truly Sustainable Construction NOW!

Tim Sweeney: Oct 14, 2023

Aren't the Building Codes all that we need to comply with? Why must we switch to truly Sustainable Construction NOW?...
6 min read

What do MgO + Passive House™ Panels Really Cost vs Wood Framing?

Tim Sweeney: Sep 12, 2023

One of the most common questions we hear is “OK, so what will it really cost me?” Obviously, the answer depends upon a...
1 min read

What are "Embodied Carbon" and a "Carbon Footprint"?

Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023

Homes, like any building, use materials when they are built, and materials need to be obtained from many sources in...
1 min read

What is the Best Energy Design Software for a Green Home or Building?

Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023

Opinions of what’s the “Best” software depends upon whom you’re talking to. What’s actually being used typically...
2 min read

What are "SIPs" and Which Are the "Best" SIPs?

Eduardo Semoto: Jun 23, 2023

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are factory-fabricated panels that can be used as load bearing walls, floors, roofs,...
2 min read

What Does A "Green" or "Sustainable" Home Really Cost?

Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023

Firstly, your Green or Sustainable Home does not have to look like something from another world. In fact, if you're...
2 min read

Your Future Depends Upon Switching to Green Energy & Green Buildings

Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023

The Simple Truths are: Fossil Fuels are the predominant source of energy for most of our lives. They power vehicles,...
2 min read

So, Why Should I Have a “Green” or “Sustainable” House or Building?

Tim Sweeney: Jun 9, 2023

Being “Green” means being truly “Sustainable”. Something that is “Sustainable” is something you can do for a long...
5 min read

How to Choose the Best “Green” House or Apartment

Tim Sweeney: May 17, 2023

What makes the “Best Green” anything? Maybe the hardest thing to know is which thing is really “Best”. There are so...

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