Plan early

It will certainly be a less expensive exercise if we work towards energy efficiency goals from the beginning with block selection, orientation and choice of materials for example.

Orientation

House orientation is crucial in order to increase your home’s energy efficiency keeping it warmer in winter, cooler and summer and making it more comfortable and affordable to run. Even with difficult block orientations, we are experienced in designing your home to maximise natural sunlight and energy efficiency.

Choose materials carefully

There are a lot of new building materials and systems coming onto the market that have great green credentials. But keep in mind that some of these new systems are more complex. The more components you add, the more contractors you involve, the more it may end up cutting into your budget. It’s good to know what can work, and what is a little experimental. Experience really counts when you’ve got options on the table, and we feel that this is an area where we can really make a difference.

Layout

Heating and cooling considerations are very important when it comes to designing your home. Bigger homes with open plan layouts require thought into the how to best heat and cool that large space. A formal living area that is only used on special occasions may be beautiful to look at, but it may cost to maintain. That’s why it’s essential that you get the right advice to get you the outcome you want and allow you to stay on budget.