We look at inspiration from all over the world to see what architects and designers are doing in homes. What we seem to see over and over is the commitment to sustainable development and sustainable architecture. Society, in general, is evolving towards environmental commitment and architectural trends, as a collective consciousness.
Beyond Solar Panels
Over the last 15 years, people in South Africa have really started investing in solar panels. We know the benefits of solar panels far outweigh any other form of energy output, but popular ways to increase sustainability goes far further than solar panels.
From choosing local materials (no imports) and employing local artisans to create what you need, to keeping energy and transportation costs to a minimal, multi-million-rand homes and buildings are now considering more than going solar. Garden roofs are also becoming more popular as people are using them to grow food in the cities too.
Smart Homes
Automated home systems are increasingly in demand to control everything from temperature, lights and security. A smart home offers owners greater comfort and reduces consumption bills. The quickest way to get automated is straightforward. The quickest way to get involved in home automation is by using “plugin devices” that only needs a WiFi connection. You can plug the device in, pair it with your smartphone and be up and running with your first smart home installation.
Read more about home automation on HOMEMAKERS here.
Mix and Match
Making use of natural resources and surroundings and pairing them with top designs in functional homes is stylish and timeless. Mixing materials in architectural design isn’t a new concept. Architects have been designing schools, museums, cathedrals, and nearly every other building using a mix of materials for centuries. We have been seeing more however invest in this eccentric building style.
Combining different materials in architecture will end up playing a major role in the durability and aesthetics of the home you’re designing. According to metal mouldings experts at Dahlstrom “Like artwork, mixing materials can break up large expanses of similar, otherwise-boring designs. Using different ratios of dissimilar materials can create a spectrum of ambience. Incorporating more metal, for example, will create a cool, industrial aesthetic, while incorporating more wood will create a warmer, more organic look and feel. Metal, wood, glass, and stone can also be layered to accentuate dimensions and create further contrast. Placing dissimilar materials on top of each other creates a striking visual distinction, and the transitions between different materials can be further accentuated by decorative trim, such as wood or metal mouldings“.
