We have had many enquiries over the last few months for home extensions in particular! It has been really interesting to hear the thought processes that have led our clients to the decision to extend.
The most common, and relatable, is that when clients were used to spending most of the day away from home at their place of work and the kids at school, living in a house that didn’t fully meet their needs was tolerable. However, having spent the best part of six months at home, working and co-habiting with the rest of the family, a ‘newly appreciated’ lack of space and odd layouts (but with no desire to move location), has led them to realise that extending the house was the best option for their family.
In addition, while 2020 has been a shocking year, one thing we can’t complain about is the weather…or can we? Even in September we have had 30-degree temperatures! Has this been a nightmare at home with no air conditioning? Some of our clients say their house is freezing cold in winter and boiling hot in summer! With winter on its way, if you have a house that howls with the wind, what are your heating bills going to be like if you are going to be at home much more than last winter?
Sustainable Design
Whatever your motivation when planning a home extension, our talented designers take into consideration sustainable design solutions that can help solve the issues you have with your house and are better for the environment.
While sustainable design is sometimes dismissed as expensive and for ‘grand designs’, the simple choices you make now can have a huge impact on your energy costs over the years. Saving money on energy costs is a no-brainer. It’s just a case of weighing up the initial investment against the return over a number of years. There are many ways you can be eco-conscious to help minimise waste, and carbon emissions.
As architectural designers, we work closely with the construction industry and there are specific targets in place such as the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework to reduce carbon emissions especially energy used to heat, cool and power buildings. Houses actually account for around 28% of all carbon emissions worldwide.
Here are some advantages to thinking green:
- Take advantage of the sun and the natural breezes to warm and cool your home, this is why smart orientation and layout of the house is so important in the design
- Considered, practical design ensures windows maximise sunlight for light and warmth – this reduces the need for artificial light which saves power
- Environmentally friendly and natural materials within your home can influence positive health and wellbeing
- Installing solar panels to roof space will harness the energy of the sun to power your home
- Choose eco-friendly materials – they can improve insulation, speed up construction, can be sound proofing, prevent mould and damp and improve the air quality
- Opening up a space, such as a rear kitchen/dining extension or knocking walls through improves air flow through the house
- Innovative design provides you with efficient spaces that can be closed off, so you don’t waste energy heating rooms you are not using.
Live in a healthier environment…
Please give Kevin a call to discuss any home extension or new build ideas. Better still, give him a problem to solve! He would love to chat about how sustainable building design can improve your living spaces, help lower your bills, and provide a healthier environment for you and your family.
Call 07973 227925 or email: kt@kevintoddarchitectural.co.uk
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