Sustainable architecture & green building design - be eco-friendly

What does it mean?

Interest in sustainable architecture & green building design is greater than ever. Whether concerned 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 living areas.

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.

 Affordability and design flexibility are typically the two areas most professionals and clients focus on. But here are a few of the values we see that are often overlooked in the decision-making process. Ignoring these at the beginning can be a mistake that will prevent you having the smartest and best home for the years that 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. There is much more to it than that!

• Site orientation
• Passive solar design
• Comfort, health & safety of the occupants
• Safe materials
• Responsible use of natural resources
• Ease of installation
• Proven performance criteria - specific to your job and location

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. But now, pure filtered water is available at EVERY tap/outlet in your house is not only easy to achieve but very affordable.

Why use green, sustainable design?

There are many reasons to embrace a 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.