Sustainable, green building design for an eco friendly house plan

Sustainable, green house plans are not achieved simply with the use of appropriate materials. It is a marriage between green, eco friendly design and construction philosophies and practices. If true sustainable house plan design is not understood and specifically designed for, the benefits of green building design won’t be achieved, no matter how suitable the materials may be.

Did you know?

Where you place your house can help make you more comfortable all year round.
Timber homes require up to 4 times as much shading to control heat and cold as do concrete homes.
Many illness symptoms, including asthma and heart disease, can be significantly elevated or reduced based on the house you live in and its air quality.
Thermal mass and double glazed windows are key design components, and should not be underestimated in comfort level consideration.
Many building materials are not good for you, even though they are approved for use.
If planned for, a new home can be virtually 100% recyclable at the end of its useful life. This means less waste of precious resources.
The treated water coming into your home may not be as good for you as you think.

Why use green, eco-friendly design?

There are many reasons to embrace a sustainable, green home and lifestyle. Personal health and comfort, no negative imprints (leaving the world the same, or better, than we found it), and general peace of mind are just some of the benefits! Currently, NZ rates commercial buildings using the NZ Green Star System developed in 2007. Residential resale values in Australia are directly tied to their HERS Star (Home Energy Rating System) efficiency ratings. More stars translate directly into more dollars on resale! Australians are switching on to “green” homes... Kiwis won’t be far behind. This is a global standard, newly adopted in NZ, which has been used since the 1980’s. This isn’t a fad - it’s a lifestyle that makes economic sense!

So contact us now to get started on your new Eco friendly, sustainable, green home design. The time to start planning responsibility to help lessen the environmental impact is right at the start, not part way through. Sustainable house plan design starts with the very first thoughts and permeates the whole building design, and construction, process.

Sustainable, green house plan design

Interest in sustainable architecture & green, eco friendly building design is greater than ever. Whether the concern is about allergies, energy costs, old-growth forests, or durability and long-term value, homeowners and builders are looking for ways to ensure that their homes are healthy, safe, beautiful, and efficient.

The staff at Tarzan Design are devoted to assisting our clients, both the homeowner and the builder or developer, in creating a home that is the smartest and best choice for the resident, the home site and the environment. As designers, we acknowledge our responsibility to help you meet the needs of today, without adversely affecting the needs of tomorrow. Ultimately, that is the reasoning behind the growing focus on building sustainable, green buildings.

There are so many decisions involved with building a new residence or renovating an existing structure. All the specifics accumulate to the point that it can be overwhelming. When approaching the design phase, it is essential to consider more than just the number of rooms, how the spaces will be used or the finished look of the place. How the building will fit in with the environment is extremely important. This is one of the major drivers of sustainable, green building design.

Affordability and design flexibility are typically the two areas most professionals and clients focus on. But here are some values that can be overlooked in the decision-making process. Ignoring these at the beginning can be a mistake that will stop you having the smartest, best home, one that's sustainable and eco friendly, for the time you are living in it. The old way of picking a site, a design, materials and a builder independently are no longer a good way. Making the smart environmentally friendly choice has huge paybacks!

Site orientation
Passive solar design
Comfort, health & safety of the occupants - use safe materials
Responsible use of natural resources - a core of sustainable building design
Proven performance criteria - specific to your job and location - and ease of installation