The house of the future has to protect the health of the environment, which is possible only through energy efficiency, according to a former ISU employee.

Pia Schneider, a practicing architect in Rome for more than 15 years, discussed sustainable architecture at a lecture Thursday night.

“A house becomes the real machine to produce energy, not just use it,” Schneider said.

Schneider highlighted several key architectural elements involved in energy efficient sustainable design, including solar panels, photovoltaic – a type of solar power technology – triple-glazing windows, improved ventilation and geothermal pumps.

Schneider explained how solar panels can be incorporated into a house design by showing pictures of European architecture.

“[Solar panels] can be used as a railing, and at the same time produce solar energy,” Schneider said.

Photovoltaic is similar to a solar panel, but is used to produce power.

Triple glazing is a process of insulating windows by using three plates of glass, making insulation more efficient while allowing sunlight into a house.

Improving ventilation and using a geothermal pump can reduce heating and cooling costs, Schneider said.

In addition to environmental benefits, Schneider discussed the financial benefits to energy conserving construction.

“Sustainability also means saving money,” Schneider said.

Although solar panels and photovoltaic require energy to be produced, they soon make up for this “grey energy” through their own energy production.

“Within a year-and-a-half you make up the energy used in making photovoltaic,” Schneider said.

Raymond Gandayuwana, senior in architecture who attended the lecture, said energy efficiency is a response to “the condition of global warming.”

“It’s good to start thinking about saving the world,” Gandayuwana said.

Janna Welch, senior in architecture who also attended the lecture, said attending lectures broadens people’s view of the world.

Schneider said it’s important that students get involved as much as possible in the future of sustainable design.

Schneider taught design and drawing at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and landscape design at Iowa State and Pennsylvania State University School of Architecture in Rome. She owns a consulting firm, and specializes in energy efficient construction methods.