exterior home

Green Architecture ? The Techniques Revealed

As more and more people become interested in the effect they are having on our environment, the ability to design and construct buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly is becoming more important. This area of design is called green architecture and is a growing trend amongst those wanting to live in harmony with their environment and those wishing to conserve traditional energy resources.
Green architecture aims to work in harmony with the natural features that surround the location of the project, to use construction materials that can be easily grown or that have been recycled and to maximise the energy efficiency of the building. This has benefits for both the environment and for the occupants of the building.

Green architecture should use the natural ecology of the planet as a macro model and green architects should always keep the environment in mind when designing.

Listening to a client and transforming their needs into a workable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly design is a skill and one that you should ensure your choice of green architect has.

A building designed using green architecture will reduce energy bills, use less water and will reduce the amount of waste being added to landfill sites. There are a variety of ways through which these savings are achieved.

One of the best known methods of reducing energy bills is to have solar panels installed. There are many benefits to using solar panels ranging from low maintenance and versatility to it being non-polluting and a renewable energy source. After the initial installation, there are relatively few ongoing costs. No moving parts mean low maintenance and the heat and light from the sun is free!

Another method used in construction of green architecture is thermal mass. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's) produce a framework when locked together much like Lego bricks. This framework forms a permanent and integral part of the building and is pumped full of concrete that has been composed and cured to reduce its thermal conductivity. This produces the thermal mass required to reduce the effects of outside temperature fluctuations on the ambient temperature inside the building thus reducing energy bills.

The use of recycled materials is becoming increasingly popular, as is the use of green materials. Recycled materials include glass, plastic and tyres while green materials include wood, stone and earth. Using these recycled resources helps to reduce the waste being sent to landfill sites and the use of the green, more natural resources helps our buildings blend more harmoniously with their environs.

These techniques are just some of the ways that green architecture is helping to make our buildings much more sustainable and environmentally friendly. For example water, mud, rammed earth and logs can all be utilised to provide thermal mass to a building instead of ICF's. Which one is right for your project should be determined by the environment around the location of the building and the immediate ecology of the area. Discussions with your green architect will help you decide how to proceed.

Other techniques involved with green architecture are maybe not so well known generally but your green architect should mention them as they all help to add to the energy efficiency of a project, for example:

• Using locally sourced materials reduces the cost and use of fuel for transportation and if trees are felled to make room for your project then this wood could be put to good use in the construction.

• Recycling ‘grey water' (waste water from baths, showers and wash hand basins) can be captured, stored and treated to a standard suitable for WC flushing.

• Rainwater harvesting can be as simple as a water butt under a downpipe or a more complex over or underground tank depending on your use for the water which can be anything from watering your garden or cleaning your car to flushing your toilet or having a shower.

• Small scale wind turbines can be used to generate energy to charge small batteries with applications such as lighting and electric pumps.

Many opportunities exist for all of us to start living in a way that is more in harmony with our surroundings. Whether you want to light your garden using solar power, generate wind energy to light your caravan or build a home from scratch that is environmentally friendly, energy efficient and at one with nature we can all add to the conservation of our planet.

Green architecture is the way to release ourselves from the grip of fossil fuels into the hands of renewable energy, green architecture is the future of us and of this planet.

Aesthetic and Sustainable Architecture

I recently attended a global eco design conference. Whilst the basic principles of a sustainable house such as insulation, ventilation and orientation to suit the climate were good - the resulting houses seemed to lack something. They didn't seem to have much intrinsic beauty or elegance.

The only principle that was mentioned that excited me was "bio-mimicry" - copying nature. Although the concept has been around for some time, it has been brought to prominence recently by by Janine Benyus in her book ""Biomimicry, Innovation Inspired by Nature". It was mentioned at the conference by Ray Anderson - an American manufacturer of commercial carpet tiles who is trying to make his company more sustainable and it was also touched on by Dr David Suzuki - the famous environmentalist - who also spoke at the conference. It seems to be the latest buzz word.

Perhaps it is the fact that Vedic houses - those based on ancient Sthapatya Vedic principles - are also based on natural design that makes them have a better feeling and which makes them look more appealing.

I have had a house built according to these principles.

It faces true East and is aligned to the cardinal points. This design in accordance with natural laws is called "Vastu". You enter from the East and North sides only. One of the main guiding principles is that everything good comes from the East. But this doesn't mean that you can't also design your house to suit the climate (in my case the tropics) and filter the light if necessary and have large eves.

So the design corresponds to the effect of light on the earth - to the effect of the sun. In fact you can work out what true North is simply by observing what the sun does to the shadows it creates at different times of day.

You can also use a GPS to confirm it.

In Vedic architecture the placement and dimensions of the rooms, as well as the length, width and elevation of the building are individually calculated. The measurements are based on ancient mathematical formulas. These formulas take into consideration, among other factors, the relationship of the house owner with the planets according to Jyotish (Indian Astrology). So the design relates to the people - it isn't based on some man-made notions of what would be good.

According to Vedic principles, the nourishing aspects of the house are placed on the East side of the house just as the rising sun coming from the East provides nourishment. So the meditation room is placed in the North East corner to nourish the spiritual aspects of the individuals in the house. The kitchen which nourishes the physiology is placed in the South-East. The North is considered the best side of the house in which to pursue creative activities and so that is where the study is located. The Western side of the house embodies the qualities of the setting sun - that being relaxation, calmness and restful sleep. So it is the best side on which to locate bedrooms and relaxation rooms. So in this sense, they are also mimicking nature.

1500 to 2000 square feet in Home Plan

Minimum space in make best small home plan 1500 to 2000 square feet
3 : Bedrooms
2 : Bathrooms
Width: 58'0"
Depth: 32'0"
Total Area: 1659 Sq Ft.
1375 Sq Ft. : Main Floor
284 Sq Ft : Second Floor

Finding The Best Architectural Services

Britain is extensive and rich in its architectural heritage, which stretches back to more than 5000 years. A new generation of architects started the modern form of architecture after the Second World War. Today the architecture is equipped with technological advancements by the creation of interior and exterior designs and graphics on the computer giving colour to the dreams of their clients.

An architect is a person who design buildings, help plan sites, is responsible for supervision of the plan and construction of buildings and complexes and work on restoration of historical structures. Get professional architectural services if you want to build a striking house or to renovate any building cost-efficiently and without hassle. Everyone has their particular needs and the architect will serve you in several different ways depending upon your ideas.

The modern architect usually works on commercial and institutional buildings.

They are commonly known as commercial architects, they are that class of architects who are capable of designing a great number of constructions other than single family residential dwellings. The major projects seeking the help of commercial architects are retail stores, residential apartments, shopping malls, airports, hospitals, high-rise towers, stadiums, hotels, office buildings and other commercial buildings. They also pride the interior design and lightening services to the constructions.

Whether you are building your own home or designing a commercial complex, it is vital that you hire an architect who understands your opinions and preferences in order to make the project successful. He can help you out in evaluate potential home sites and figure out how to best use the resources if your project requires complex structural engineering.

Certain architecture services are now concentrating on greener homes and eco-friendly constructions. They design the house in such a manner that it will be energy conserving and make use of sustainable materials during the process.

Take a quick look at some of the previously designed projects on an architect and consult your friends and family who have used their services before in order to find the best architectural design service. SearchMe4 is a local information and online business directory that contains the contact details of the UK architectural services.

For more information on Architectural Services, visit our business directory.

Pictures Of Modern Living Rooms - Pictures Of Modern Living Rooms Decorated

living rooms designs

But first, back to break abroad from a theme? A active allowance charge be adequate for you and your guests. However, if the purpose of decorating is to promote your home, stick with the acceptable colors and abstain claimed touches. Added bodies will be able to anticipate it as their own.

You've bankrupt up the mess! But what do with all the available space? A active allowance can be bendable and available afresh after able architecture ideas. You charge some suggestions to accord your allowance attending added important date for your ancestors and business.

living room interior design

An American country attending can be accomplished with apparent brick, balmy copse tones and delicate colors. Period appliance usually a rustic, hand-carved detailing. Use pastels or apple tones and apple-pie lines. The civic floral and accompany this affair actual able-bodied together.

The ablaze colors and designs of amplitude appropriately can accord your allowance a contemporary, metropolitan. A avant-garde appearance may be added for aesthetics, how are things, that its absolute function. Select appliance with simple lines, curves. Carefully baddest or emphasis colors warm, not to beat the eye. These colors may be featured in accessories as cushions, lamps, or carpet.

Pictures Of Modern Living Rooms

Emphasize abreast styles in both bendable colors and textures. The colors are balmy and adumbration in the average range. Pale colors are accepted to not be so relaxed. Textures can accommodate copse floors and bendable fabrics couch.

The attending of the Mediterranean may be accepted and available to generate. The colors reflect those start in nature, like a sky dejected and sea green. Make use of terracotta tiles and arches. The appliance can ambit from simple and anatomic brass, wrought iron, and formal.

Architectural Firms

Architectural firms are the people to talk to if you want a building customised to your every need. Architects are probably amongst the most skilled people in the world. Their job entails more than just being able to draw and use a ruler on a piece paper. They are multi-disciplinary men and women with a flair for multi-tasking.

Architects are people who are trained and licensed in planning and designing buildings according to the specifications of their clients. They also participate to a greater or lesser degree in supervising the construction of the buildings they have designed. They bring together technical knowledge, management skills, business sense and artistic talent to create buildings that people want. An architectural firm is more than just a few people drawing plans; it is a multi-disciplinary gathering of skilled people.

Most architects are commissioned by a client to do a job for them.

Architectural firms are approached and the client gives them the brief on what is required. Not all clients want a building built from scratch. Some just require the architect's expertise in the field, consultation on a problem they are experiencing in construction or assistance in some field of design and construction. It is when the client commissions an architect to design a building for him, however, that he can truly shine.

Designing a building is more than just putting some lines down on paper. Architects need to deal with local and federal government regulations, building codes and operation codes. They need to be aware of local zoning and planning laws such as maximum height, parking, transparency and historical importance. Architects coordinate design teams that often include structural, mechanical and electrical engineers all working for the same architectural firm.

Once the plans are ready, architects need to have them cleared by government to attain the necessary permits. Only then can the architectural firm tender contractors to start the building. Architects often handle the tender process for their clients, pulling from a database of trusted general contractors. Once the contractor has been chosen, the architect's role becomes an advisory one. They will supervise the construction, assisting where necessary and ensuring that everything is going according to plan and to schedule.

From start to finish, architects have a very difficult job. There is much more to their career than just drawing the plans for the buildings their clients want to build. Building codes, regulations, permits and so many other things have to be juggled to make a client's dreams come true. With a solid architectural firm behind them, architects ensure that their clients get exactly what they ordered.

House building and home improvement

House building and home improvements are costly plans. Annually, more and more people are trying to refurbish their homes. Whether house building for a new house, construction of addition, or refurbishing the kitchen or comfort rooms, these are all expensive projects. However, as the work is taken on, a lot of people will possibly accomplish not as much research about it. Practically at all times, reasonable and sharp-minded persons make unanticipated oversights in contacting trades for house building. Unnecessarily, they spend a lot of money on work that can cost less if planned properly. It is important to lay down the size of the house building contingent to the size of financial resources available. Attempting to accomplish much with not enough cash is like employing people with not much skill and experience and scammed by fraud contractors. In addition, with this situation you are taking the risk of losing money even before finishing the house building project.

To employ contractors and workers, you have to obtain references or get to look at previous work of applicants and prospects.

It is not impolite or being impertinent to ask for references and asking to see previous projects prior to hiring. This is standard when trying to employ people for house building projects. Moreover, it is also smart to get more than one bidding from contractors. When looking for a single do-it-all contractor, at least fifteen percent markup is enough to accomplish the work and may look for at the most five prospects to bid. For minor work you want to handle on your own like a new bathroom or kitchen or house building less than five bids are adequate like two or three. It is just important to guarantee that all considerations are covered and that the amount they make estimations of such as for plumbing and other stuff that had been chosen are practical.

It is also standard for house building to obtain written quotation or estimation. No one can say but it would have saved others a lot of exertion and aggravation had they had the terms and costing in written form. If the contractor is agreeable with the written terms and costing and had affixed signatures to the contract, he and the homeowner can no longer protest even a little about the contract later. Both sides have to make sure that there are no more minor adjustments needed in the contract. Once it has been signed, there is no more chance to do any adjustments later.

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