Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Feng Shui Architecture


Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy focusing on the relationship between humans and the environment. It is a natural earth science which reveals how people are affected by their immediate surroundings. Since everything is connected, certain geographical, architectural and planetary conditions have the power to either improve or worsen our well-being.

Feng-Shui is based on the laws of nature and provides us theories that explain why certain things happen in our lives. These theories stem from logical conclusions about natural cause and effects that have endured through time The Chinese philosophy dictates that everything is made of chi, or energy which is further broken up into the five basic elements of metal, fire, water, wood and earth. Each of these physical elements has energies that have frequencies with a unique wavelength which react with each other in different ways, either positive or negative. Humans are affected by cosmic and earth energies and feng shui is a way for us to harness this power and use it for our good.

Based on the Taoist philosophies of nature which include the Yin-Yang Theory, Five Element Theory and the Yi-Jing Trigrams, feng shui helps us determine which frequencies work positively with our own personal energy as well as the energies of our family members and co-workers. By using this knowledge we can create an environment of comfort that allows us to live efficiently and progressively. Everything can be designed keeping the principles of feng shui in mind - feng shui decorations, feng shui bedrooms, fengshui living rooms etc.

However, the phenomenon of Feng-Shui as passed down from the generations is complex to understand in its entirety and mastered by only a privileged few.

Today, feng shui is a multi-disciplinary study encompassing architecture, urban planning, geography, astrology, electromagnetism, landscape design, environmental psychology and much more.

Using the ancient science and philosophy of feng shui we can design, build, remodel, and decorate our homes successfully so that they will become environments that support our lives and our well-being. In today’s fiercely competitive world, architects have thus succumbed to the needs and demands of the clients and started incorporating principles of feng shui to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it, and their application in architecture through planning principles, services, building elements and materials. The architect well versed in feng shui can also use its benefits to match structures and land, forecast development related concerns such as cost overruns, quality issues, worker injuries and trade disputes.

Modern Architecture

Modern architecture is a style found in the buildings that have simple form without any ornamental structures to them. This style of architecture first came up around 1900. By 1940, modern architecture was identified as an international style and became the dominant way to build for many decades in the 20th century. Modern architects apply scientific and analytical methods to design.

Many historians relate the origins of this style of architecture to the social and political revolution of the time, though others see modern architecture as primarily driven by technological and engineering developments. The availability of new materials such as iron, steel, concrete, and glass brought about new building techniques as part of the industrial revolution. Some regard modern architecture as a reaction against ancient building style. Above all, it is widely accepted as a matter of taste.

For the international style, the most commonly used materials are glass for the facade, steel for exterior support, and concrete for the floors and interior supports. The floor plans are functional and logical. But, many people are not fond of the modern style. They find its stark, uncompromisingly rectangular geometrical designs quite inhumane. They think this universal style is sterile, elitist, and lacks meaning.

Modern architecture challenged traditional ideas about the types of structures suitable for architectural design. Only important civic buildings, aristocratic palaces, churches, and public institutions had long been the mainstay of architectural practices. But, modernist designers argued that architects should design everything that was necessary for society, even the most humble buildings.

Architects began to plan low-cost housing, railroad stations, factories, warehouses, and commercial spaces. In the first half of the 20th century, modern architects produced furniture, textiles, and wallpaper - as well as designing houses - to create a totally designed domestic environment. The aesthetics used by modern architects celebrated function in all forms of design, from household furnishings to massive ocean liners and new flying machines.

Modern architecture originated in the United States and Europe and spread across the rest of the world. The characteristic features that made modern architecture possible were buildings, stylistic movements, technology, and modern materials.

Architecture provides detailed information on Architecture, Architecture Designs, Architecture Schools, Landscape Architecture and more. Architecture is affiliated with Residential Architects.



By Kristy Annely

Laminated Glass in Modern Architecture

The usage of glass is inevitable in changing construction trend and modern architecture. The style and elegance of glass are most evident in the design of skyscrapers and modern buildings. The orderly arranged glass walls and steel structures are the characteristics of high tech architecture.

Architectural glass is used as glazing material for the facet of the building, windows and in internal partitions. These glasses are of safety type of toughened, reinforced and laminated glasses to resist environmental stresses like hurricanes, bomb blasts, fire arms, high winds and impact of other objects.

The laminated safety glass plays an important role in protecting these impacts of natural and man made disasters. This laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when shattered and offers resistance to the penetration of objects. It is produced by bonding two or more layers of toughened glass together with a plastic layer inside so that it ensures high impact resistance. It protects people outside or inside the building from consequential damage following an explosion

If the laminated glass had not been invented, most of the modern architecture would not exist. Getting more daylight into buildings has several advantages. Research indicate that increased day light helps the people more productive at work and also aid in physical and psychological recovery in hospitals by allowing daylight into buildings. This new technology of coatings gives high performance, low reflectivity and high transmission of light. This can be achieved by using laminated glass.

In tall buildings the two layers of laminated glass facilitates solar control and natural ventilation. It can also significantly reduce noise from the street as well as control solar energy transmittance. Most significantly, these laminated glasses can reduce up to 98% of UV radiation. Fading away of fabrics, such as curtains, carpeting and furnishings that are exposed to sunlight entering buildings through the windows, are mainly due to the Ultra-violet energy from the sun.

Glass strengthening systems Inc; is the pioneer in this industry and they have more than twenty five years of experience in this field and have distributors in all over the world. They manufacture a micro-thin transparent polycarbonate laminate which turns regular glass into barriers that can resist the force of small firearms, bombs, high impact projectiles, and severe weather such as hurricanes. They are having world wide customers who are very much satisfied with the products and demanding more of the products for their safety and security.

We, GNG associates, are of the authorized distributor for Glass strengthening systems, Inc. We wish for the safety and betterment of the lives of the people residing over India. We are proud to be the distributor of GSS products which have worldwide reputation.

For more product reviews please visit our site http://www.gngassociates.com



By Christopher Devadoss

10 World Wonders Of Modern Architecture

The end of the XXth century was marked with the architectural boom. Grand erections similar to ancient constructions classified as the wonders of the world began to arise one by one all over the globe. Many of them became the places of tourist pilgrimage even while not being completed. Ten of such projects have already gained the worldwide fame.

Great Egyptian museum in Giza.

Great Egyptian museum in Giza is about the same architectural wonder as the Giza pyramids themselves. As a matter of fact, it is the basis of architectural development of modern civilization. It is a massive row of chambers enfolding the scenery, with triangular roofs like in pyramids. The space of the largest archaeological museum in the world exceeds thousands of square meters.

The Tate Modern art gallery in London.

The Tate Modern art gallery in London is the largest-scale gallery in the world. And now the construction of the second 11-story glass building with 23 thousand square meters of space has been started. It is planned to complete the construction in time for the 2012 Olympics. The use of new areas will allow to solve the problem of over-crowding of the gallery that was visited by 4.9 million people in the year 2006. The cost of the project, designed by Swiss architects, is 215 million pound sterling. The expenses for extension to gallery are expected to be comparable to the main construction bill.

Burj Dubai.

The skyscraper in United Arab Emirates pretends to be the tallest building in the world. There will be the fastest elevators and the “highest” communications. When the construction is completed the final height of Burj Dubai will be more than 700 meters, it will have more than 160 floors. Now the builders work at 484.1 meters height. Interestingly: the weight of concrete used in building construction equals approximately the summarized weight of 100 thousand elephants.

Simon Wiesenthal Museum in Jerusalem.

Simon Wiesenthal Center suggested an idea to create the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem in the year 2002. Famous American architect Frank Gehry developed the model of museum complex. It is situated on the plot of land between “Gan Ha'atzmaut” park and Nahlat Shiva in the West Jerusalem. 120 million dollars were invested in this construction. The museum that is officially called “ Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem” occupies the territory of 14 thousand square meters. It has been built from Hierosolymitan stone with the insertions of titanium allays that is Gehry’s favourite construction material.

The third terminal of the Capital International Airport in Peking.

The country that builds the biggest dam, the longest bridge and the greatest shopping mall just ought to have the most immense construction plot while erecting the largest airport terminal in the hugest airport. The future third terminal will occupy 17 tiers, will stretch for nearly 4 kilometres, will require 35 thousand builders and will be capable of handling 53 million passengers in a year.

Olympic stadium in Peking.

Huge complex will be constructed by the year 2008. Its sizes are impressive: 330 metres lengthwise, 220 metres widthwise, with 62 meters in height, it will hold a 100 thousand persons. Though it is still unclear whether there will be as many lavatories there as for example in the famous Wembley stadium.

Ground Zero Memorial in New York.

Ground Zero is the memorial on the site of the former World Trade Center towers destroyed during terrorist attacks on the 11th of September. The huge construction with the slabs on which all the witnesses and sympathizers sign, now yields in size only to Holocaust memorial. The Tower of Freedom will be as tall as 1776 foots - 541 meters.

MAXXI - National Museum for Contemporary Art in Rome.

Zaha Hadid, the only one lady-architect in the world who won the Pritzker Prize, has designed MAXXI – the Roman Centre for Contemporary Art, it is a sophisticated concrete erection that simultaneously impresses with extravagance and monumentality. It is impossible to measure the length of the building since it has an extremely odd shape; it is even compared to spaghetti.

CCTV - the Chinese Television building in Peking.

CCTV - the Chinese Central Television building - is to be completed by the year 2008. This building – the skyscraper – is impressive due to its unusual shape. Chinese television head quarter will have 500.000 square meters of total space and will become one of the 300 skyscrapers that are to be constructed in the down town of Peking. The estimated cost of the project is 600.000.000 euros. Its infrastructure includes restaurants, hotels and theatres.

The Bishopsgate Tower in London.

It is another skyscraper of unusual configuration. Today it is the largest construction in London’s history. Its height is going to be 288 meters – it was originally proposed to be 307, but civil aviation authority prohibited such height. The tower will become one of the tallest buildings in the whole Europe. Recently the project was renamed The Pinnacle. The date of the construction first phase is planned for the beginning of the year 2008. The building will also be ecological – it will be covered with the solar cell panels.

Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His Travel Deals site is http://www.travelime.com



By Iuri Tarabanov

The Use of Glass in Architecture

Acclaimed architect Bruno Taut said, “If we want our culture to rise to a higher level, we are obligated for better or for worse, to change our architecture. And this only becomes possible if we take away the closed character from the rooms in which we live. We can only do that by introducing glass architecture, which lets in the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars”.

A New Architectural Era
Built in Hyde Park, London to house the Great Exhibition in 1851 the Crystal Palace is commonly considered as a significant turning point in architectural history. This magnificent structure built from steel and glass paved the way for further exploration of glass as an architectural element. The glass sail of the new Milan trade fair and Louvre pyramid are other stunning example of the use of glass as a structural as well as a design element. Other examples of glass architecture include the London Bridge, Agbar and Federazija Towers as well as the Tokyo International Forum.

While the use of glass in construction was previously quite limited to grand designs and office buildings it is starting to become a core structural and design element in many homes. Glass facilitates natural light and opens up rooms allowing smaller spaces to look bigger as well as facilitating a natural indoor/outdoor flow which often enhances the tranquillity as well as the value of your home. Glass is also relatively inexpensive and fully recyclable, an important consideration in the current era of heightened environmental consciousness. Glass use in construction has increased dramatically due to the rapid changes in glass production and technology. Previously glass was thought to be quite a fragile building material and many steered away from it because of this. Modern glass, however, is not only spectacular to look through but it is safer, stronger and energy efficient.

Glass in the home
In the past glass was mainly utilized for windows to allow some air and light in to rooms. Today glass is utilized in the construction of several elements of exterior and interior architecture. Exterior glass architecture includes facades, display windows’ skylights, skywalks, entrances, revolving doors, canopies, winter gardens and conservatories. All of which allow homes to be bathed in natural sunlight with gorgeous outdoor views. Interior glass architecture can be used for staircases, elevated walkways and even as traditional walls. There are some houses in which all of the walls are actually glass. Such high quantities of glass previously compromised other aspects such as the heating and cooling requirements. Often glass architecture would incur high heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer. Fortunately such great progress has been made in the glass industry that we now have access a variety of different kinds of glass each with fantastic benefits. One such example is glass with spectrally-selective qualities, which allows light to stream into the house without being harmful or degenerative to occupants and their belongings.

Caring for your Glass
To keep your glass looking great and streak free you will need to ensure that it is cleaned often. Try a few different cleaning solutions before you decide which one to use, options vary from store bought to home made solutions. Many use products such as ammonia, vinegar, borax, alcohol or Epsom salts to clean glass. An important point to remember is that when using your own solutions never combine an acid and an alkaline, for example vinegar and ammonia, as they neutralise on another. After washing use a dry cotton towel rather than paper towels or newspaper as they tend to disintegrate and leave deposits on your glass. For a great shine a dry blackboard eraser can be used.

To keep frost from accumulating on exterior windows during the winter, add two cups of antifreeze or rubbing alcohol to each gallon of wash water. For deposits of paint, resin or glue wet the surface and then scrape them off using a razor blade scraper. Take care to scrape in one direction only in order to avoid scratching the surface.

Another option, and a fantastic one at that, is the breakthrough technology that has brought us self-cleaning glass. An ultra-thin coating is applied to the glass during the manufacturing process; this coating has two highly beneficial effects on the glass. First organic residue on the glass broken down by the ultraviolet wavelengths in sunlight then when it rains the dirt is washed off. As the coating is hydrophilic when rain hits the glass, it doesn't form droplets and in turn eradicates streaking. Rain water flows down the glass in a sheet and washes the dirt away. If you don’t have time to wait for the rain a simple garden hose will be just as effective. Self-cleaning glass is making the lives of homeowners far easier and is giving home owners absolutely no reason to hesitate to use of glass in the construction of their homes. What could be better than bright, open rooms with excellent outdoor views facilitated by huge sheets of glass, without having to spend your days cleaning them?

Modern day architectural trends have elevated the way we think about the use of glass in our own homes. It is no longer simply a material for windows and the occasional sliding door; it is a design component in its own right.

With each passing day glass becomes a more important element in architecture not only in grand public structures but also in the lives and homes of families across the world. The beauty of glass lies in its simplicity, it enables us to be enveloped by nature while living comfortably in doors.

Many architects, designers and construction companies recommend Pilkington when it comes to glass. Having been in the glass industry for 179 years, Pilkington is recognised as the world's technological leader in glass. Out of all of their innovative products, Pilkington Activ™ - the world's first self-cleaning glass is one of their greatest products and is an ideal material in glass architecture.

Environmentally Friendly Architecture Design

There once was a day where one someone was speaking about the word green, it was obvious they were referring to a color formed by mixing yellow and blue. That assumption is no longer true; with our society leaning toward a healthier environment and ways we can help save the earth, the term green now takes on a whole new meaning. One way to support an environmentally conscious lifestyle is with green architecture.

'Green Architecture' is a form of environmentally sensitive design and construction. Energy-saving, sustainable development and natural materials are all hallmarks of this form of construction. Green Architecture is also sensitive to the impact of the construction on the environment in the years and decades after the construction is complete. It explores a relationship between architecture and ecology.

One of the key points to green architecture is to create synchrony with the surrounding environment. Everything about a green building should easily transition from the natural landscape, including the building materials. The best material to use for green construction is materials that have been recycled or come from easily restored resources.

Advantages of Green Architecture:

1. Optimizes the use of resources, especially energy and water. At the design and construction stage, it incorporates resource recycling during construction, and later when the building is being used.

2. It causes minimal impact on the environment during the entire building life cycle of siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal.

3. Where possible, the natural topography is used to optimize energy usage.

4. It leads to reduced operating costs by optimizing resource usage. Green Architecture focuses on recycling resources - especially water. Wherever possible, it focuses on using building materials from the building site itself. Well-insulated doors, windows and walls reduce energy usage and loss.

5. Green Architecture promotes improved health of the occupants of the building, due to better natural air circulation and use of natural light.

6. Provides onsite facilities for recycling, thereby minimizing waste being sent to landfills.

Materials Commonly Used in Green Architecture

1. Recycled materials such as wood, tiles and bricks that are available at the building site or in/near the surrounding area.

2. Where new materials are used, the focus is on material that can be rapidly replenished, such as bamboo, which can be harvested for commercial use in just 6 years.

3. Insulation made from low volatile organic compounds that use materials such as recycled denim as opposed to fiberglass insulation - which has long-term adverse effects. Insulation may be treated with boric acid to retard insect damage. Organic or milk-based paints also afford protection.

4. Solar energy is an abundant resource that is used through passive solar, active solar and photovoltaic techniques.

5. Packed gravel in parking lots and driveways instead of concrete reduces rainwater run-off and replenishes ground water resources.

Many countries have developed their own standards of Green Architecture for energy-efficient and sustainable building. Given below are some common standards:

1. Code for Sustainable Homes - United Kingdom
2. EnerGuide for New Houses - Canada
3. House Energy Rating - Australia
4. Green Globes - USA, Canada and UK

Practitioners of Green Architecture and sustainable development seek to achieve ecological and aesthetic harmony between structures and their surrounding natural environments.

James Heimler, Architect Los Angeles California, owns one of the leading firms in green architecture and environmental sustainable design practices.

Sustainable Green Architecture


Sustainable architecture is designing buildings keeping in mind environmental goals and sustainable development. The terms green architecture or green buildings are often used interchangeably with sustainable architecture to promote this definition further. In a broader sense and taking into account the pressing economic and political issues, sustainable architecture seeks to reduce the negative environmental impact of the buildings by increasing efficiency and moderation in the utilization of building materials, energy and development space. Similarly, green architecture denotes economical, energy-saving, environmentally-friendly, sustainable development and explores the relationship between architecture and ecology.

In a case strongly promoting sustainable architecture, some experts have laid down certain basic elements that will help us to contribute to this matter further.

Small spaces
Large houses generally use a tremendous amount of energy to heat and cool. They also consume far more building materials which may have their own environmental consequences. In a move to do away with such wastefulness, small houses are now being preferred allowing one to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary depletion of natural resources.

Solar Energy
Nothing can be more comfortable for body and mind than living in a good solar-heated house. If designed ecologically, good passive solar energy provides just enough sunlight into the rooms to be absorbed by the surrounding thermal mass which acts as a heat battery and gives the warmth back into the room when the sun goes down. Crushed volcanic rock and straw bales make for good thermal mass insulation and designs in a green house

Renewable Energy
Among the several ways to conserve fossil fuel and produce electricity are using the natural powers of the sun, wind, or water.

Conserving water
The use of low water capacity toilets, flow restrictors at shower heads and faucet aerators are now being used as a part of sustainable architecture. More radical water conservation approaches include diverting gray water from bathing, clothes washing and bathroom sinks to watering plants; catching rain water from roofs and paved areas for domestic use. Landscaping with drought tolerant plants can also save water.

Using local and natural materials
Nature has been benevolent enough to provide us with several materials to build with, no matter what region you live in. If you use local materials for construction, processing and transporting hassles are minimized thereby also keeping environmental and economic costs low. From both, an aesthetic and health point of view, building with natural materials also helps sustainable development. Natural materials would include stone, glass, lime or mud plasters, adobe or rammed earth, bricks, tiles, untreated wood, cork, paper, reeds, bamboo, canes and grasses as well as all natural fibers. Including plants in your living space can greatly enhance the natural ambiance. Plants not only look nice, but they also release oxygen into the air, and some of them can actually filter some pollutants out of the air.

Saving our forests
While wood is most definitely a renewable source of energy we have gone beyond sustainable harvesting and ruined our eco-systems through deforestation. Wood must be used as little as possible and mainly for decorations. Cull dead trees for structural supports. Use masonry, straw bales; paper crepe, cob, adobe, rocks, bags of volcanic rock, etc., instead of wood. Homes can be made with certified sustainable harvested trees. This means that the forests where the trees are cut down from are carefully monitored to ensure that the health and character of the forest is maintained. Only certain trees are culled periodically, leaving the remaining trees to grow and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Durability
One of the important elements of sustainable architecture is durability. If a building doesn't stand the test of time, it would be a waste of energy, from all perspective, human, resource and economic.

What Green Building Means

There's a lot of talk in real estate about green building lately, but the phrase is still a little vague. Here's a guide to understanding a few key terms, so you can investigate whether or not a potential home is truly eco-friendly.

Insulation and Building:
Many new buildings are being insulated with recycled materials, such as old blue jeans or blown-in fiberglass. Proper insulation now goes a long way toward saving on energy bills later. Walls can be made of steel and concrete, rather than more expensive and volatile treated wood. Many cities have lumber yards and "re-stores" where you can buy recycled or left over building materials that are strong, cheap, and often antique or authentically vintage.

Appliances:
Look for low flow shower heads and low flush or composting toilets. Consider energy saving washers and dryers, or put a line in your yard to hang wet clothes on sunny days Make sure your HVAC unit is sealed and clean, and look for gas stoves and instantaneous, or tankless, water heaters.

Flooring:
Rather than use expensive hardwoods that endanger the land and deplete forests, many real estate builders have found inexpensive and beautiful alternatives in bamboo (which is technically not a wood but a grass, and yet one of the hardest and most easily replenished flooring materials) and cork (also easily replenished). Concrete, too, can be a sturdy and inexpensive alternative, as can old fashioned linoleum, which is actually made from linen and other natural fibers.

Paint and Other Materials:
Many paint manufacturers are looking for green alternatives to oil and latex; one such option is the use of milk-based paints (which upon application smell like milk instead of harsh chemicals, and which don't have any carcinogenic ingredients.) Recycled glass is now being made into kitchen and bath tiles, and countertops are being made with recycled materials that look even more beautiful and unique than mined granite.

Solar Energy:
Solar energy doesn't just mean expensive panels that sit on your roof (though that's one kind, called active solar energy). Considering a solar home can mean investing in thick-paned, glazed windows or in more complicated photovoltaic cells. Though solar tends to be an expensive investment, upfront, the rewards show up every month in your energy bills.

Landscaping:
Look for Xeriscaped yards and common areas with plants that require little watering. Consider getting rain barrels (many cities sell them through their water and energy programs) or converting your outdoor water system to "graywater" (which involves using recycled water from dishwashers and washing machines to water your lawn or wash your car). Looks for trees that are native to your area, and plant them so they shield your windows from too much sun during hotter days.

Neighborhood:
While a lot of green building means being aware of what is going into your home, you might also want to check out your neighborhood. Are there recycling programs or community gardens? Public transportation? Bike paths so you can have the option of avoiding traffic? Are there shops and restaurants close to you, to encourage walking? While thinking about these things may seem unimportant now, our global climate and community with thank you later. (Oh, and don't forget the federal tax deductions.)

If you are looking for property in the Austin Texas Real Estate market Ki Gray can help you in your search. A broker with a long background of helping clients in the Austin market. His site Escapeso Austin Texas Real Estate is a source for information about the real estate market and current events in Austin Texas. It also provides a description of the different Austin Condos going up in downtown Austin.

Sustainable Landscape Architecture

Sustainable landscape architecture is a category of sustainable design concerned with the planning and design of outdoor space. This can include ecological, social and economic aspects of sustainability. For example, the design of a sustainable urban drainage system can: improve habitats for fauna and flora; improve recreational facilities, because people love to be beside water; save money, because building culverts is expensive and floods cause severe financial harm.

The design of a green roof or a roof garden can also contribute to the sustainability of a landscape architecture project. The roof will help manage surface water, provide for wildlife and provide for recreation.

Sustainability appears to be a new addition to the traditional Vitruvian objectives of the design process: commodity, firmness and delight. But it can be seen as an aspect of both firmness and commodity: an outdoor space is likely to last longer and give more commodity to its owners if it requires low inputs of energy, water, fertiliser etc, and if it produces fewer outputs of noise, pollution, surface water runoff etc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sustainable Landscape Architecture

Sustainable landscape architecture is a category of sustainable design concerned with the planning and design of outdoor space. This can include ecological, social and economic aspects of sustainability. For example, the design of a sustainable urban drainage system can: improve habitats for fauna and flora; improve recreational facilities, because people love to be beside water; save money, because building culverts is expensive and floods cause severe financial harm.

The design of a green roof or a roof garden can also contribute to the sustainability of a landscape architecture project. The roof will help manage surface water, provide for wildlife and provide for recreation.

Sustainability appears to be a new addition to the traditional Vitruvian objectives of the design process: commodity, firmness and delight. But it can be seen as an aspect of both firmness and commodity: an outdoor space is likely to last longer and give more commodity to its owners if it requires low inputs of energy, water, fertiliser etc, and if it produces fewer outputs of noise, pollution, surface water runoff etc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

When Architecture and Design Make Your Dream Home

One of the most watched segments in the woodworking industry is architectural woodworking. For the past few years, it has fast created its own market, usually composed of homes and high-end facilities like hotels.

But you may ask, “What created the need for architectural woodworking?” Well, it seems that this kind of artwork has been a symbol of long-lasting impression to the kind of commitment the owner has for quality. Every architectural woodwork plan has become an enduring element of elegance, beauty, and timelessness. Therefore, you can conclude that only the best kinds of materials are used, designs are well thought of, and only the best architectural company or person was hired to do this complex task.

This article focuses on the different architectural woodworking plans you can do for your home. There are many styles to choose from, and you can freely decide which bests suits your needs and can bring out the uniqueness and overall feel of your house.

Georgian homes are stately looking. It is reminiscent of the period of classical revival in England, which happened before the onset of the American Revolution. These types are usually are made of brick. In the colonies, there is a shortage of such material, and so most Georgian homes are built of wood. A more common feature includes two-story English-style freestanding columns that serve as support for a triangular pediment. In America, these pillars, often are referred to as pilasters, and are connected to the building. In order to maintain its classicism, you may need to conduct periodic maintenance and repair. The first area you need to check is the pediment. Make sure that all the three sides of the triangle are not exhibiting any signs of deterioration such as rotting. If bird nests are present, it is ideal that you remove them as birdlime will speed up wood rot.

Most mansions built today are influenced by Greek architecture. Unlike the courthouses constructed in 1800s, where columns are made of bricks, these houses have wooden pillars. The good thing about this is you can create your own column designs to add a more grandiose look. However, since they are seldom solid, they easily deteriorate. Should you encounter this problem, the best solution is to replace them or apply some preservation methods.

If you feel like living in a sort-of castle, perhaps you can consider building your own Tudor home. The towers and parapets that are the roof, and their huge timber beams that cross some broad regions of brick stimulate the idea of a fairy tale. They are usually added, however, not as a support structure but as exterior design.

The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Home Improvement community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Home Improvement Articles and Ideas.

Front Yards: Matching Landscaping With Architecture

You have a beautiful home and you want to have a beautiful yard as well. However, you can have both and them not look all that beautiful together. That happens when the front yard landscaping does not match the home’s architecture. If you live in the Phoenix area and are interested in having the most beautiful yard in your neighborhood or the entire city then you can do so buy choosing a Phoenix landscaping company that knows how to landscape your front lawn in a way that will complement your home. A Phoenix lawn requires special care and a professional landscaping company knows just how to make your grass green, flowers bloom, and create an overall beautiful appearance. A good idea is for you to always ask for a landscape plan up front or maybe even two. That way you can evaluate the plan for your front yard before anything is done. So, if you like the plan you can give the go ahead and if not you can work on changes or find another landscaper that will work better with you. The importance is to find landscaping techniques that complement your home.

For example, you always want to landscape in a way that will always emphasize the beauty of your home’s architecture. At no point do you want to hide any of your home’s architectural beauty by planting large plants or trees that will grow and shade parts of your home. Of course if you have problem spots on your home that you just don’t care for you could always landscape in a way to camouflage them. However, this is not usually the case and you will want to plant plants and shrubs to frame and emphasize your home, not the other way around.

When you find a Phoenix landscaping company that understands what you are looking for and is capable of coming up with a plan to help you landscape your yard in a way to make your home’s beauty really stand out then you will be ready to get started. Also, don’t go with just any landscaper but rather one that is educated and understands landscaping. This will be an important decision and you will see the ultimate difference in the beauty of your lawn. Remember, it is your home and your lawn so you get the final say in what looks best and what it is exactly that you want.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. If you live in the Phoenix area and are interested in having the most beautiful yard in your neighborhood or the entire city then you can do so buy choosing a Phoenix landscaping company that knows how to landscape your front lawn in a way that will complement your home. A Phoenix lawn requires special care and a professional landscaping company knows just how to make your grass green, flowers bloom, and create an overall beautiful appearance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caitlina_Fuller

By Caitlina Fuller

Building A Home In Sarasota, Florida - What You Need

Sarasota, Florida certainly is a magnet for those seeking the ultimate vacation house, as well as the permanent home, since the place offers a wide variety of enlightening experiences within beautiful surroundings.

Historically, people are not quite sure how Sarasota derived its name. One theory is that it was named after the daughter of Hernando De Soto, Sara. De Soto, along with Ponce de Leon and Panfilo Narvez, were the first explorers to land on the Gulf Coast in search of gold and silver. Another legend says that the name may have been derived from the Spanish "sarao sota", which when translated means "a place of dancing."

Sarasota, Florida is a fantastic, and colorful city. With a population of over 53,000, there are a lot of options for housing that are accessible to prospective homeowners. If you are considering building a home in Sarasota and need more information in regard to modular homes, there are assorted companies available to provide you and your family the very best home for your needs.

The Sarasota market continues to gain strength compared to the overall state of Florida, according to the Sarasota Association of Realtors. For example, Condominium purchases went up by 12% in July 2007, as compared with 141 sales in July 2006. The median sales price was up 14.8%, from $269,990 in July 2006 to $310,000 in July 2007. Single family home sales went up by 5% from 351 in July 2006 to 369 in July 2007, but median sales price was down 14.5%. Statewide however, the real estate market saw a decline of 24% from July to July for single family homes.

In deciding to build a home in Sarasota, there are some more questions to ask yourself and priorities you need to establish. Here are the stuff you need to consider:

* How much could you really afford in buying a home. A local mortgage company can help you answer this question.

* How much space do you need, or want.

* Are there specific areas of town that you prefer.

* How many bedrooms and baths do you feel you need ?

* Find out other amenities are important to you (ex: eat-in kitchens, family room, pool, attached garage, etc)

* How big a lot of land would you like to have

* Should the house be close to certain schools, your job, or public transport

In looking for housing developers and contractors in Sarasota, it would be best to check out the local yellow pages for additional support, or chck on online developers and real estate agents. One notable local developer would be McKenzie Builders LLC. McKenzie Builders is a full service residential construction company building affordable homes in Manatee and South Hillsborough counties on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, with over 20 years of building experience in this area.

Another noted Sarasota developer would be Vision Homes of Southwest Florida. Vision Homes, according to its website, "has redefined what "Excellence" means when it comes to residential design and building for the 21st Century". Vision Homes is also acknowledged as Sarasota's Leading Builder of Energy-Efficient Green Building Technology. For prospective home buyers, looking for advice online would also be a good option, and one of the suggested sites to go would be www.siestakeysrealestate.com.


by Vanessa A. Doctor

Buying Your First Home And Sleeping Well At Night

The real estate process of buying a home for the typical family can be a very stressful event, almost at the top of the charts. The selection of a professional agent can be a tremendous benefit as a counselor and guide to navigate you through the process with as little stress as possible. The average home buyer spends very little time interviewing and investigating agents for the role as their agent.

The first part of the home buying process for many is the desire to look at homes and not the careful selection of a real estate agent. This can be a huge mistake as the knowledge and experience level of an agent can change the outcome of the stressful process to a smooth one. Many homebuyers end up with an agent by default, what I mean by this is that the buyer has no plan of action for selecting their agent. The introduction may have been as casual as the buyer calling on an ad or attending an open house.

Of course you want to start the home buying process with a strong foundation and finding the right agent will make a big difference in the total experience. As a first time home buyer you will depend on the expertise of your agent. You will not know what to expect or when to expect it within this very challenging process.

You will want to interview several agents before you even start looking for a home. By pursuing an interview process you will also educate yourself. Here are several areas you will want to discuss with agents that you are interviewing.

1. What is the experience level of the agent? Selecting someone that has at least two years or more of experience will show they have survived the test of time and the knowledge to assist you in the home buying process.

2. What is the geographical area that they service. As an agent works in a given neighborhood they will gain additional non-real estate knowledge such as which area has better schools, less rush-hour traffic or lower crime rates.

3. Does the agent carry errors and omissions insurance? This protects them and you when there is a contractual issue or an undisclosed defect in the home. The Department of real estate doesn't require a broker to carry it, and this is not something you want to find out after closing.

4. Many agents work only on a buyer broker agreement basis, you will be asked to sign a contract for several months during which you will be obligated to work with this agent exclusively for that time period. Other agents will ask you for this agreement once they have worked with you, both parties feel it is a good relationship, and you are ready to make an offer.

5. Always ask for references. A good agent will have their references ready for you.

6. In order to serve their client as best as possible some agents have decided not to represent both a buyer and seller in the same transaction. One of the main reasons for this is that it is very difficult to be an advocate for two parties with opposite goals.

7. How does the agent select the homes that they show you? Many agents will e-mail their clients a lot of properties and let the buyer decide which homes to see, this can be a very ineffective and time consuming process in which the buyer sees many homes that do not suit their needs. The best agents will preview all of the homes on the market that fit a buyer’s general criteria and then show their client only the best homes. This process leads to a much more efficient and beneficial outcome for the buyer.

8. Does the agent have a close relationship with a trustworthy and knowledgeable lender? By working closely with the lender an agent will be more able to guide the process ensuring that the buyer gets the best loan program for their situation and is only looking at homes that fit their budget.

So as you can see, by methodically and strategically selecting an agent you can positively influence the outcome of your home purchase.


by James Dedolph and Randy Nathan

Go Green and Fit In

Just a thought on Going Green...

With the recent “Go Green” headlines getting splashed around the media arena it might not be a bad idea for home builders to find effective cost cutting strategies to free up a little money for Green Building. Our environment needs our help and people are beginning to realize the potential of doing a few little things to help save energy. Home builders are also learning the value of Green Building and some builders are creating a buzz by offering Green Friendly Homes. It might not be a bad idea for all builders to start producing green homes. They could get more sales, headlines and referrals from their efforts.

A couple things we can do as consumers to lower energy costs in our homes include changing traditional light bulbs in for energy efficient bulbs. I heard that if every American household changes one light bulb it would be equivalent to removing 1,000,000 cars from our roads annually. We can also buy energy efficient appliances and turn computers, receivers and laptops off instead of leaving them in power save mode. Another great way to save energy is to make a conscious effort to turn lights off when they’re not being used.

Going Green is becoming a big part of some American purchases and the trend will likely increase as exposure continues. Here’s an article about some things custom home builders are doing to accommodate the Green needs of home buyers.


by Jayson Gibson

Tenaga CONSTRUCSI ( Laki-Laki ), Di ARAB SAUDI dengan Kontrak Kerja 3 Tahun

PT. ANUGERAH USAHA JAYA

JL. RAYA SIWALAN PANJI NO. 88 BUDURAN, SIDOARJO

DIBUTUHKAN SEGERA:

Tenaga CONSTRUCSI ( Laki-Laki ),

Di ARAB SAUDI dengan Kontrak Kerja 3 Tahun

►► Gaji Pokok Perbulan 1050 REAL atau Rp. 2.625.000,- ( Sesuai crus uang Rupiah ), Belum termasuk Lembur ( Overtime )

►► Tanpa ada Potongan, bulan pertama bekerja langsung terima Gaji

►► Tidah ada Pajak TKI ( Lefi )

►► Jam bekerja 8 jam Perhari

►► Fasilitas Makan 3 kali sehari & Tempat Tinggal

** BONUS HAJI **

Proses cepat & langsung dari

PT. ANUGERAH USAHA JAYA ( AUJ ) Pusat Sidoarjo

Dengan persyaratan :

1. Laki-Laki Moslem Usia 18 – 45 Tahun

2. Sehat Jasmani Rohani & Bisa Baca Tulis

3. Ijasah Minimal SD

4. KTP + KSK ( kartu keluarga )

5. Surat Ijin Keluarga ( Orang tua / Istri )

6. Photo Warna 4x6, 12 Lembar

7. Biaya masuk Rp. 4 jt. Rupiah

8. Selama Proses bisa tunggu dirumah

Understanding the Green Building Boom

Demand for environmentally friendly buildings has grown considerably in recent years, and Realtors are making a lot of money helping investors buy and sell them. As this market grows, it's up to savvy agents to follow new green technology, and the changing interests of buyers. Government green building incentives and international treaties are also a big factor, and agents who know what policies are next can often anticipate demand.

Part of the reason green buildings took so long to attract demand was the lack of knowledge on the subject. Many developers assumed building costs would be inaccesibly high because of standards that had to be met, and materials required. But in recent years the opposite has happened - buyer awareness has helped expand the market, and many developers have found green buildings to be much less expensive than they assumed. As green buildings become more common, construction materials, such as insulative glass, and public information, have increased dramatically.

Realtors looking for the latest information and industry perspective on green buildings can attend now attend regular conferences on the subject, which are among the most popular events in the real estate industry these days. The most common theme at these events is how to stay ahead of the curve, and ensure green developments don't go out of date as new technologies emerge.

Green buildings are also having an impact on the buy-sell cycle of many real estate markets, because their owners act differently than other buyers and sellers. Many green building owners and renters keep their homes for longer before selling them, a trend running counter to the common practice of buying and flipping in many high-end markets. With sustainable value comes higher overall prices, and the demand for better construction and longer lasting buildings.

The benefits of environmentally friendly construction are now well known: these buildings have a smaller demand on power and plumbing, resources resulting in fewer greenhouse gases and less resource extraction, heating and cooling cost savings, and more comfortable living spaces. They're also generally more attractive and complementary to the cityscape.

Realtors who understand the benefits green construction, and know how to talk about it with buyers and sellers, will profit considerably as demand for these buildings increases. Now's the time to learn all you can about this exciting new home market.


by Rick LeForce

How To Design Your Own New House

It can be a deeply American experience to build a house. For upholding traditional ideas of the family, there is nothing like building from a plan. These days it is possible for completely unqualified people to design their own house, thanks to the wealth of house plans available. Whether you are a traditionalist or are looking for truly contemporary design, you can be sure that a professional has already done the donkey work for you – all you have to do is name your specifications and pick up a design.

For anyone with a little imagination – or a dream – and a computer with a mouse, house design has become as easy as drawing is for children. After learning the basics of a package, which are comparable to paint or Photoshop in terms of level of difficulty the sky’s the limit. No wonder this cost and time saving solution is catching on. Architects already use it – so why not you?

Most of us can’t imagine what a plan will pan out as, which is why the software is able to give you a preview projection of your design as you draw it up and modify it. If you do not wish to design a whole house, but only a certain feature like a porch, a particular room or the garden area, you should look for a specific package to further save on costs.

There are basically two types of house plan available the good ones, and the ones that are absolutely incomprehensible. Look consider carefully the following factors: Cost – be careful to make sure you understand not just the cost of buying the plan, but all the materials which you will need for executing it. Setting – how well does your plan match the neighbourhood and surrounding area? You are sure to be able to get just the right plan for your neck of the woods, if you shop around.

Optimal use of space – will the finished house meet your space requirements? The most successful plans are those which create a fine-looking house, with the required rooms, and just that little bit over for the yards to fill the plot. You don’t want to end up sharing your bedroom with the dog. Building regulations – these vary from state to state. The building plans available in your area are generally marketed there because they meet specifications. If you are buying plans out of state, check the packaging and if need be your local planning office.

If you are planning a house for a hot or tropical climate area, you would do well to choose a cool house plan. These tend to come with flat roofs – more efficient for heat-deflection- and a lot of ventilation features, as opposed to built-in air conditioning.

The materials for a cool house plan will be a little different from a conventional house, because insulating materials will be avoided. Instead, materials which readily absorb and let off heat will form part of the plan. The general design of a cool house is sure to include wrap-around porches and adequate space for ceiling fans. More information on this can be found at http://www.new-house-plans-guide.com, together with other tips and advice about house plans.

Whichever new house plan you end up choosing, you will be purchasing the right to use that plan once to build a house. They will be printed on a vellum, or transparent paper, to which minor modifications and extra copies can be made without infringing copy write laws. Likewise, the CAD files, in other words the construction drawings in electronic format, can also only be used for a single construction.


by Kelly Hunter

How to Successfully Move to Spain and Stay

At first sight the title of my book may seem a little odd? Well you might think it’s easy to move to Spain; just book a flight, and find somewhere to stay; the rest will sort itself out. “We just need to get there” and start to enjoy the new life in the Sun Right?

Wrong. Sorry but a lot of us that escape in search of the “Dream”, find it all goes wrong and they struggle like crazy to get everything in place, but in the end they return back home, with lost dreams, big debts, and having to start all over again.

It doesn’t have to be like that if you plan a ahead…

Did you know that every year more than 191,000 Britons emigrated but in the same year 105,000 returned having failed to make their dream work?

That’s 86,000 lost dreams, an awful lot of sadness indeed. Worse still it has caused each and every one of them, not only a great deal of heartache, but there are also the financial costs involved.

Coming home involves getting a job, finding a home and so on. Possibly you will have sold the car, and bought another in Spain. Inevitably you will have to sell that and start all over again.

This book aims to give you a few straight facts; albeit in a light hearted writing style, so that you can make a few plans ahead of your move, and truly make it a one way trip, and achieve the dream of a new life in Spain forever!

So, why do some people fail to survive abroad?

Often the reason is down to family level. It is a very simple decision if you live alone. If you have a partner then it is absolutely essential that you talk through everything very thoroughly.

In my many years of hosting Spanish Property Exhibitions in The United Kingdom, I met numerous couples that attended purely with the intention of “selling” the whole idea of the Spanish Dream to their respective partner. They hoped that by seeing the beautiful photographs of the lovely Villas. Happy couples sipping wine outside the traditional tapas bars, or relaxing on the long sandy beach in Guardamar on a lovely sunny December afternoon would do the trick. Unfortunately life is not quite that simple.

Don’t try selling the dream to your partner…

Hey, when you went on your last holiday to Spain, I’ll bet it was perfect? What you are now contemplating is not going to be a holiday; it is truly going to be something you both have to live, everyday maybe for the rest of your lives. You can’t persuade anybody, least of all your beloved partner to have the same dream as yourself. You may be lucky and truly both have the same dream. It is essential right now that you completely and absolutely have the same dream. If not of course there are alternatives to a complete move. Subject to your finances it may well be possible to compromise, and split your time between The UK and Spain. With the flight costs being reasonable these days, this is a distinct possibility for many of us.

If we step back say to the 1990’s for a moment, at that time many of us just wanted to sell our property in the UK, and with the pot of cash from that, it may well have been enough to purchase a satisfactory Spanish Villa, and still retain enough of that “pot” to invest in the Bank, and “live happily ever after off the interest and pensions received.

Property Prices are no longer at 1990 prices of course, and this scenario is not often possible any longer. Spanish Property Prices have leapt ahead faster than any other EC Country if you look back 20 Years, so by the time you make your property purchase in Spain, the “pot” may well be looking a little shaky.

Splitting your time between UK & Spain?

Both you and your partner must be completely honest with each other right now before you spend a single Euro. If you have even a 10% doubt about making it in Spain at this time, then that doubt will surely fester once you make the move, and things might just slide from there on.

What’s the way around this?

Clearly if you have doubts, then you can still go ahead and enjoy the dream, but with little “Home Breaks” built in. Maybe it will be that one of you will want to hop back to visit the Grandchildren? So build this into your plan now. After all it is pretty cheap to go back, you are not moving to Australia are you! This simple escape clause in your “agreement” can well make the difference between success and failure. Talk it through at great length.

This is possibly the most frequent cause of people “going back home”, so don’t skip over these issues. If you are still in doubt, take another holiday in Spain, but this time make certain you stay in a property that will be similar in cost to the type of property that you will be able to afford if you decide to move. That way it is almost like a dress rehearsal. You can taste “living in the real Spain” not insulated from reality in a five star hotel, with waiters offering you your every whim!

When you move you will have to go shopping for Groceries; decorate the spare room with real paint and get hot and dirty too!

We once did just that in the middle of August in temperatures exceeding 36c inside. Being too hot to wear “overalls” or pretty much anything at all, (well apart from the essential coverings of course) we ended up with more emulsion paint on ourselves than the walls, and vowed to leave all future decorating jobs until the winter!

Splitting Countries

If costs are a little strained, you might well be able to “trade down” your UK property, and use the profits form the sale to purchase your Spanish Property. Another popular way to afford a home in both countries is to Rent out part of your UK property, but keep an “apartment” (or create one) for your home visits. Often the rental achieved can mean that your home “apartment” comes “free”, that is to say, the tenanted part of your property covers all of the property costs including your portion.

Another option if you have family in the UK is to consider extending their property in some way. Our own example was to extend our daughters property by building a Garage Conversion. This provides us with a low cost, but comfortable home stay property with its own facilities, whilst adding value to the property at the same time.

If you can try to “think outside the box” you might surprise yourselves just how creative you can be.

It’s always better to have a home base if you have any lingering doubts.

Even though in reality you may only use the “home base” quite infrequently, the simple fact that it is there for you if you should need it, and will almost certainly solve any of those nagging emotional or homesickness thoughts that you or your partner might have. You can then feel ready to face the new life in Spain with confidence, in the sound knowledge that there is a bolthole back home should the need arise at anytime.

Where in Spain will you live?

Countless times I am told that the Spanish dream property is something like this… In the Country, with lovely views, near the beach, large gardens, quiet location away from it all. How practical is this? You are both planning to move to Spain for the rest of your lives, so pause for a moment and ask yourselves, How much would that dream cost? Given a quick internet search, I can tell you now that it would not be a cheap option. Lovely views do not come cheap, especially if you want that view near the beach.

Let’s take a look at each of these options in more detail…

Buying inland is normally cheaper than coastal, but you still have to go grocery shopping.

How far is it to the nearest Supermarket?
What if you want an evening out?
How far is it to the Restaurants and Bars?

Remember in Spain, the drinking laws are quite strict, and now comply with EC directives. In effect this means that even a small glass of Lager will place you over the limit, and liable to arrest, a fine and a possible driving ban. If you like a small end of evening tipple then it is best that you have a local bar, from which you can easily walk home.

What about a Finca?

Some 10 years ago, that was our dream too. A lovely finca which really is a Spanish Farmhouse, or smallholding, tucked away in the countryside.

In reality it often involves a long winding single track road leading up to the Finca, so imagine getting home, and as I am sure we have all done at times, realise that we have forgotten to get some essential items for dinner that night. Yes we have to trail right back along that winding single track road again. Pretty soon you will hate that road intensely.

It’s one thing getting away from the tourist hustle and bustle, but think carefully before you buy something in the middle of nowhere, with no local services.

Another downside to consider when “getting away from it all” is of course it is going to take you that extra journey when you decide to hop back home for a week. Having done this now for the past seven years, I can assure you it is quite important to have easy access to Motorways and subsequently The Nearest Airport.

Expectation and the Reality

Watching one of the numerous “Place in the Sun” television shows, might give the impression that everything is just so perfect. In reality you will still have to stand in queues to Pay Bills, visit banks, builders, even the tax office perhaps? You cannot escape from the reality of life completely. Yes of course you can put behind you your past mistakes, but you have to make that extra effort not to make those same mistakes again in your new Country.

Finding the perfect home in Spain.

The fact is that you might not find the ideal home first time for two reasons. Firstly it is quite different to finding the ideal home in your home town in the UK, as you will already know the good areas that you would like to move to. This is of course not obvious on a short visit to Spain. It is good advice to rent short term, but you should remember that every penny spent on renting is working to reduce your final capital available to you when you buy in Spain.

If you find a property that “ticks most of the boxes” for you, and you buy it at the lowest possible price, then you will be in a good position to sell on and move up the property ladder just as most of us are doing now (realise it or not) in The UK. Thus retaining your capital, and quite likely even making a profit in the process.

Property Prices in Spain

Over the past 20 years, property prices have in Spain increased faster than all other European Countries. Rumours are awash that the bubble in Spain has finally burst. My research, backed up with facts, does show that in some areas, particularly that of Valencia they have indeed fallen some 10%. In all other areas of Spain including The Costa Blanca and The Costa Del Sol they are still rising at 8% per annum. What has changed is the supply and demand situation, and understandably this has caused builders and Estate Agents big financial headaches in terms of Cash Flow. That said the stronger Companies, are riding through this, and already there are signs that demand is returning. This lack of demand is thought to have been started by the upsurge of Eastern European Countries like Bulgaria & Turkey offering competition. Gradually though the old favourite Spain is winning through once again.

And Finally…

If you have thought things through carefully, it may well be time to “make it all happen for you” and start the ball rolling. Moving to Spain full time, or on a split time basis, is not the one way decision it used to be. So many flights everyday, mean that you can always afford to “hop” and get the best of both worlds, so why wait any longer.

Have a Happy new Life



by Patrick Holland

Build Your Own Home - The World of Wacky Property

Are you looking for an alternative to the standard two up, two down, red brick house in the suburbs? Do you want to live in a home with a difference? Well, you're not alone; inspired by TV shows such as Grand Designs, more and more people are designing and building their own quirky property that is very different to the average home.

The chance to live in a home that you've designed and even built yourself is a huge draw for many adventurous architectural types. The ever rising costs of buying a property in the UK, has meant that building your own home is now a much more economically viable option compared to a decade or two ago; and adventurous individuals are using the current economic atmosphere to build a house of their dreams.

Self built homes are often regarded as being of a higher construction quality than commercial developers' properties. The personal touch, and the fact that the designer will actually be living in the property, tends to mean that they won't scrimp and save on materials and construction; whereas some less scrupulous construction companies tend to have less consideration for running and maintenance costs, and are generally more interested in meeting basic building regulations and keeping construction costs down.

Some estate agents say that self builds can be a little harder to sell than the average red brick home. The fact that self builds are very personal to their creators, means that they may have limited appeal, especially in some of the most quirky designs, such as church conversions or eco-friendly houses. In saying that, although the appeal may be less widespread, these designs are so different from the average home that there is always somebody, somewhere who wants a room with a slightly different view.

The range of quirky property which is being built by individuals is huge, and is not limited to any one place or style; interesting self builds are popping up all over the country; from modern concept property in Lancashire, to rustic and rural thatched projects in Scotland, to inner city urban conversions in London.

If you need inspiration for your own self build project, here are a few ideas: how about converting an old river barge into a modern, floating home? Or try to build with straw bales - a surprisingly sturdy, cheap and easy building material with excellent insulating properties. And you could always go green with an off-grid eco build, using wood as the main material and incorporating photovoltaic cells, wind turbines and a composting toilet into the design.

Self build homes are on the increase, and there are even specialist self build mortgages and insurance available, so rather than buying a ready made home, why not build your own?

by Andrew Regan