A home is not only a place one returns to every evening. It is the place where daily activities take place, where a family comes together and where people find moments of calmness and tranquility. As life becomes more complex, what people consider desirable in their home evolves too. Large rooms, beautiful interior and first-class finishing remain important, but there is a rising interest in homes that are consciously designed, are in touch with nature and surroundings.
Sustainability and luxury become more and more interconnected. A house doesn’t have to sacrifice any comfort, aesthetic or convenience to be ecological. On the contrary, the right approach can bring together all these qualities. It is such a cozy feeling when someone wakes up in the morning surrounded by natural light, breathes fresh air through an open window and looks at some greenery during the day. All these details might affect the experience of being at home. Thoughtful planning in architecture can make all this quiet possible. Orientation of the building, strategic placement of windows, natural ventilation and open spaces ensure that the houses function well. As opposed to depending on artificial lights and cooling mechanisms, the house becomes more efficient by harnessing the daylight and flow of air. Being sustainable is not always about creating radical changes. Sometimes, it means being more conscious of the decisions taken while designing the house. Selection of durable materials, efficient use of natural light and water-saving devices are some examples of reduced resource consumption. The same philosophy should be used in planning houses. Instead of concentrating merely on large rooms and extensions, emphasis should be laid on designing efficient homes.
As per Bureau of Energy Efficiency, buildings are responsible for 30% of electricity consumed in India. Hence, planning energy efficient designs becomes essential right from the start. Proper cooling, high efficiency glass and adequate ventilation will not only ensure comfort but also minimize wastage of energy. Planning a house does not mean designing an aesthetically pleasing one. One needs to design a space that ensures convenience and comfort in living. Greener surroundings, landscaped gardens, walking paths and recreational spaces would enable residents to come out of their homes and enjoy nature. Inside the homes, usage of natural materials, natural light and efficient planning can provide comfort. There is a crucial relationship between wellness and sustainability. Proximity to nature, relaxation zones, and active lifestyle spaces could promote healthier habits among the residents. It also extends the definition of luxury to include not just individual homes, but the entire residential area. Sustainability has a number of components that don’t become immediately apparent. Water harvesting, water treatment facilities, proper waste management practices, and low-flow water features will not be immediately evident in a house, yet they ensure its proper functioning. These are most effective when included in the initial design of a development. Efficient cooling systems and energy-efficient buildings could make a sustainable lifestyle easier to live, without changing the current daily routine of residents. Longevity is one of the major criteria to be considered. Proper material choice, energy-efficient infrastructure, and maintenance practices could significantly decrease the number of repairs needed throughout the years. In other words, longevity is a sign of resource efficiency. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.