Britannica Sources used in this answer

What was the purpose of the Rocky Mountain Institute founded by Amory and Hunter Lovins?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Know how painting the roofs white help cool the buildings and its environmental benefits — Green architecture Learn how a white roof helps cool a building in hot sunny weather.

Amory and Hunter Lovins founded the Rocky Mountain Institute in 1982 to serve as a research center dedicated to the study and promotion of a "whole system" approach to resource use and architecture.1

The institute aimed to advance the principle of authentic green architecture by prioritizing the use of regional resources and materials, moving away from the conventional, inefficient reliance on distant, centralized sources. By following what they termed the "soft energy path," the Lovins team promoted the use of alternative energy sources, demonstrating these concepts through their own energy-efficient and aesthetically appealing facility.1