Eco Home DesignDoes ‘going green’ in the world of eco home design mean that you have to go all or nothing?
The answer is no, simply do as much as you can with the facilities that you have. The highest level would be to build your own green home from locally produced and processed natural materials, without damaging the surrounding landscape, that is carbon neutral through design, build and occupancy....... There are so many levels of eco architecture and eco interior design.
This is not for everyone, so instead you could adapt your home and lifestyle to suit a more eco-friendly outlook. Anything that reduces the negative effect on our natural environment, promotes sustainability and maximises human health & wellbeing is a step in the right direction. My eco interior design articles are full of information about how to make that greener step.
Eco home design - it would be great if all you had to do was choose one green product over a non green product. That would be simple and easy! As an eco interior designer, I am forever researching and exploring alternative methods, materials, finishes and products. There are a variety of factors to consider when making eco home choices.
BenefitsIn architecture, typically the immediate cost of building eco homes is more expensive, with the use of higher quality materials that have a longer lifespan – whereas the costs in the long term are minimal (think of the cost reductions with energy efficiency systems, thicker insulation and the use of natural resources like solar power).
For eco home design, again eco products may be more expensive than their conventional counterparts initially, but they may be made with higher quality materials that have a longer lifespan and are more hardwearing. Most eco products are manufactured to last, rather than built cheaply for quick disposal. So the cost savings of eco interior design is made over a longer period of time.
This is not to say that eco products will always out perform conventional products in cost savings, lifespan or durability. Overall the ethos of green products is to promote a sustainable lifestyle by making things last and making the most out of everything. With an all round consideration for the natural environment, human health & wellbeing and the reducing the impact of our current activities on future generations – eco design looks at the bigger picture.
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