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Sustainable design ideas for homes adhere to the philosophy of designing buildings or products with the intention of reducing negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants. The basic goal of sustainable design is to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources such as energy, water, and raw materials.
Sustainable design provides ingenious environmentally conscious solutions to problems such as water shortages and power cuts which are commonplace in countries like India. It also addresses more global issues such as environmental destruction and global warming.
Sustainable design is not only about designing buildings and products, but also about designing relationships. Homes with a sustainable design allow occupants to relate to the environment and feel more connected to nature.
Given that we take so much from nature, choosing to use a sustainable design can be extremely fulfilling as it allows home owners to give back to nature. Having a greener home is deeply therapeutic and inspiring.
Last but not least, sustainable design is financially liberating as home owners can reduce the cost of energy consumption, and also reduce other costs by utilising recycled materials.
This ideabook is a collection of some handpicked sustainable designs from Homify’s professional architects, interior designers, landscape gardeners, and construction experts.
Rainwater harvesting systems basically collect rainwater and use it for everyday routines such as flushing the toilet and watering the garden. Flushing the toilet once requires about 6 to 12 litres of water. That is way too much when you consider that many people don't even have access to clean drinking water.
Homify hosts some award winning architects such as Nicolas Tye Architects in the field of sustainable design, who have gone a step further to design homes to recycle the water used in the shower. This is called grey water recycling.
Bear in mind that this is not an extreme precaution. Indian environmental activist, Vandana Shiva suggests that future world wars will be fought over water instead of oil. Although this may seem like science fiction for many people living comfortable lives, it is very real in India where the water mafia controls the distribution of water.
Creating a comfortable home is about improving the quality of life. When there is a scarcity of water, rich or poor, the scarcity will be felt sooner or later. Sustainable design is about thinking of the bigger picture.
The popularity of solar powered roofs has gone through the roof in recent years. However, the price of solar powered roofs is not going through the roof, rather it is becoming more affordable.
As of January 2015, there are major subsidy revisions for solar powered rooftops in India. Once off the grid, home owners will have the opportunity to sell solar power to the government of India and help to power slums in India.
Another advantage for home owners opting for solar powered roofs is that it increases home sale and rental prices.
Solar powered roofs are an ideal solution to global warming, the energy crisis, and the global economic recession. There are just too many good reasons to opt for a solar powered roof.
Green roofs have started to take root globally as part of the sustainable urban development movement. Recently France joined the trend of requiring all new commercial buildings to include a green roof. In India, green roofs are a breath of fresh air in the polluted cities and blistering heat.
Green is the colour of harmony, and green roofs create harmony therapeutically, aesthetically and functionally. Green roofs improve air quality and thermal performance (reduce the 'urban heat island effect') while acting as a noise or sound insulator.
Since green roofs provide efficient thermal insulation, roof durability is improved by preventing large temperature variations. In this way, roofs are less likely to crack. Another benefit of green roofs is that they do not catch fire as quickly as conventional roofs.
Research suggests that green roofs reduce the harmful radiation produced by wireless devices. With all these benefits, it is not surprising that financial value is added to homes through green roofs. Furthermore, voices that speak out for sustainable design are heard as green roofs are one of the most visible features of an environmentally conscious design.
A lack of garden space in overpopulated cities is dispiriting for gardening enthusiasts. Green roofs offer a higher level solution. Some people have even started growing food on their rooftops.
Green roofs blend and camouflage perfectly with the natural environment and align with natural forces to create a tranquil environment. They are alive, and create a habitat for plant and animal life. Isn't the idea of sharing the roof with other earthlings endearing? Imagine all the pretty bird songs to be heard as our winged friends perch themselves on the rooftop.
If eyes are the windows to the soul, then roof windows must reveal the soul of the world. It's a bit like connecting with the soul of the world when one looks up at the limitless sky or gazes at the stars. Roof windows can work magic for the soul, body, mind and the earth. One simple roof window can go a long way.
Essentially, roof windows allow natural light and fresh air into the home. Not only is sunlight great for indoor plants, it's also great for us. Our bodies produce more happy hormones
and vitamin D when we're exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium, keeping our bones healthy and protecting us against chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Roof windows also reduce energy consumption by decreasing the need for artificial light.
Roof windows bring back the magic and romance into our lives. Imagine being in the comfort of home and star gazing or dancing in the moonlight. It's more than just a window, it opens up to a happier, healthier, and more inspiring life.
Green room dividers are great for efficiently organising space, and having an indoor garden at the same time. They improve the quality of air in the house and beautify the house.
Green room dividers create privacy, and can be cost-effective therapists too! There's nothing like having a bit of green indoors to calm the mind. It could also be used to grow herbs or vegetables. Sustainable design is about making the most out of spaces.
Organising space doesn't have to be rigid, and having a bit of privacy doesn't mean one needs to hide behind a screen. Now we can organise organically with green room dividers.
In fact, this environmentally friendly wallpaper
is not paper at all, it's actually woven bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth. For this reason, it has become widely popular in sustainable design.
This intricately woven bamboo piece adds an incredibly natural texture to otherwise lifeless concrete walls. It creates the feeling of being out in nature while being in the comfort of home.
Bamboo is a better choice compared to paper when it comes to hot and humid countries like India. Wallpaper doesn't last very long in humid temperatures. Sustainable design is about creating long-lasting solutions.
This sustainable kitchen in rustic-country style has a woodsy fragrance and a cheerful disposition of colours and textures. The designers have used reclaimed timber for its aesthetic pleasure and sustainability. Using reclaimed timber is a sustainable measure as timber is a luxury product sought after by many, sadly at the cost of widespread environmental destruction.
Of course a sustainable kitchen is not only about the material used but also the kitchen appliances. Some sustainable kitchen appliances that are available are water-saving taps and energy-efficient refrigerators. For more ideas on eco friendly kitchens, click here: Eco friendly kitchens
This sustainable kitchen sings a happy, sunny tune by letting in plenty of natural light; reducing the need for artificial light. The cobblestone walls give the kitchen a rustic ambiance while the bright hues of yellows and blues liven up the kitchen. Minimising clutter in the kitchen can be challenging, but this designer has found a creative storage solution by using the fireplace.
Sustainable design is truly holistic and covers every aspect of sustainable kitchens from the materials used, to the lighting, and the kitchen appliances.
This retro-vintage piece of functional, sustainable art works well as a seat and also to stir up a bit of excitement in the air.
The eco conscious design of this chair is all about recycling in retro style. Get blasted back to the past with this functional, sustainable, edgy piece of art.
The industrial design of these eco friendly pillowcases recycled from old coffee bags creates a stark contrast with nature inspired homes resulting in a fine balance of ying and yang.
The durable material of the pillowcases reflect the resilience of a plant growing from a crack in the concrete.
These eco friendly pillowcases tell a story and show character.
This eco design chair mimics the patterns of nature. It's an exhilarating high for sustainable design addicts! Upcycling never ceases to fascinate us. It's hard to phantom that this beautiful eco design chair is actually made out of old cardboard.
Stay tuned at Homify for the next fix!
