The Economy of Design and Sustainability

The future of eco-friendly homes

We live in a healthy economic environment with renovations and building rampant throughout Austin. In other parts of the world there is a steady depletion of natural resources and as we continue build, downsize and adapt our lifestyles, the effects of our new infrastructure can help or impair our local and global environment – the economy of design and sustainability if you will.

Sustainable design and architecture is rarely talked about. Fundamentally, it’s our responsibility to be less of a drain on the world’s resources.

A comfortable life is both physically and psychologically imperative. Harkening to the days of cavemen, today more than ever, “smart” home design considers where the sun rises and falls each day to allow us to harness that sun where we need it most throughout the year. Snushine can strategically help us light up and heat spaces in winter and allow a cool breeze on those hot humid summer days.

Designing with some basic sustainable principles in mind can save you money over the long run. Putting a price on a well-lit, warm and environmentally friendly home in February is priceless for our psyche. Beating the February blahs may simply mean improving your home environment. And, I’ll be exploring more of that in depth in future.

There are challenges when it comes to designing an environmentally friendly home

Inside and out, you may want to take a moment to consider and be conscious of the space you are living in today. Is it like a box with a few covered windows? Do your paint colours give you energy, calm you, drain your emotional energy?
Are your windows double pane, low E-argon? Does your urban landscape offer curb appeal? Stick out like a sore thumb? Require huge maintenance and drain your energy and wallet in upkeep?  If you’re going to renovate, a good architect and landscape artist will help create the connection between your house style and setting.

We are seeing more and more local  or historical design being tossed out and a sensible and sustainable modern design taking its’ place.

Architects have no clue about how to build environmentally respectful homes. So, carefully consider who you’re interviewing for the job of renovations and newer buildings. Because we are using the world’s resources it is our job and responsibility to understand where the resources come from as we move forward. While many seniors are looking to  downsize and live in smaller homes, many are choosing to build bigger homes these days. If you’re in either category, as you adapt your lifestyle energy efficiency is a key consideration.

Want to see some ridiculously cool sustainable modern home design ideas? Check out this blog site by Wanken. Have you made any sustainable improvements to your home? Are you considering any?  We’d love to hear from you!