Today I ran the 2nd day of a course on sustsinable interior design. Today's session focussed on using natural light. If we open our homes to natural light we reduce the need for energy hungry artificial light. We also reap the mental and physical health benefits of living in a light-filled home.
If you are building new, ensure the building is oriented on the plot to receive maximum natural light throughout the day. In hot climates you will need to use shading techniques to lower thermal gain and so reduce the need for cooling systems. In cooler climates, solid floors will store heat gained during the day to slowly relsease it at night.
Wherever you live, your home's interior design needs to be planned, or 'designed'. Too often we bring in decorators packaged as designers. A true designer will look at all the aspects of your lifestyle, your wider home environment, how the rooms flow from one to another, and from indoors to outside. Beware costly mistakes with an interior decorator/designer who may sell you beautiful curtains that do nothing to address the issues of do you have sufficient natural light in the room? and what can you do about it if you do not?
Friday, 23 October 2009
Friday, 25 September 2009
Singapore sustainable living
I enjoyed a brief stop over in Singapore last week. While there I visited the Botanical Gardens and was particularly impressed by the Grow Your Own fruit and vegetables gardens. It is inspiring to see people all over the world being encouraged and importantly shown how easy it is to grow their own food, naturally, at home.
Even if you only have a window sill or a porch, there will be something you can grow that will be good to eat. Although many fruits require sunshine to ripen, many vegetables grow in the soil and so the plants will tolerate low light levels and shade.
If in doubt as to what will grow in your situation, ask your local garden centre or local food growing co-operative. There is a wealth of knowledge out there. We just need to harness it and share what we find with our neighbours.
Even if you only have a window sill or a porch, there will be something you can grow that will be good to eat. Although many fruits require sunshine to ripen, many vegetables grow in the soil and so the plants will tolerate low light levels and shade.
If in doubt as to what will grow in your situation, ask your local garden centre or local food growing co-operative. There is a wealth of knowledge out there. We just need to harness it and share what we find with our neighbours.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Gracious living
While relaxing on the rear deck of a small boat over the weekend I was reminded of the era of gracious living.
The boat was built in the 1970's. That was the time when people took time to sit and watch the sun go down. They designed homes orientated towards the view, the sun and to provide privacy. We were sitting under a canopy, out of the direct heat of the sun but with wide open views over the bay. There was sufficient space for 4 people to sit comfortably with a small table for snacks and drinks.
In the rush for fast gains, developers and planners have been happy to plonk homes on plots with little thought to the livability of the site.
If we are to live sustainably we need to consider our mental and physical health, and how a well designed space can make us feel. Outdoor living on a verandah or covered terrace allows us to take holidays at home.
Our home and garden can support us and future generations if it is well designed. The key is in the design. See www.greenstonedesign.co.uk for more information on how to design your home for sustainable living
The boat was built in the 1970's. That was the time when people took time to sit and watch the sun go down. They designed homes orientated towards the view, the sun and to provide privacy. We were sitting under a canopy, out of the direct heat of the sun but with wide open views over the bay. There was sufficient space for 4 people to sit comfortably with a small table for snacks and drinks.
In the rush for fast gains, developers and planners have been happy to plonk homes on plots with little thought to the livability of the site.
If we are to live sustainably we need to consider our mental and physical health, and how a well designed space can make us feel. Outdoor living on a verandah or covered terrace allows us to take holidays at home.
Our home and garden can support us and future generations if it is well designed. The key is in the design. See www.greenstonedesign.co.uk for more information on how to design your home for sustainable living
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Planting for drought tolerance
As our climate changes we are seeing more frequent 'unusual weather events'. Here in Surrey we've had a baking June followed by torrential downpours throughout July. Some local trees are showing autumn leaf colour, and it's not even August!
So what can we do?
In addition to reducing our energy consumption by turning OFF appliances, doing things by hand where we may have taken the conveient option and used a machine, and drastically cutting our use of the family car, we can adapt the way we garden.
1. Mow the lawn at a higher level so it stays green longer without the need for additional water (and mow it less frequently, saving you time and mower fuel , and our planet)
2. Plant more trees. Trees can be grown in almost all climate zones and do great things for absorbing atmospheric carbon, reducing local heat by shading the ground/interior of buildings, absorbing vast amounts of water from the soil through their roots, humidifying the air and providing habitat for local birds and associated natural communities.
3. When we plant, if your soil is retains water, ensure the ground is raised slightly so the roots do not become waterlogged in times of heavy rain. Once the tree or shrub is in the ground make an earth ring around the plant, at a distance of 2- 3 times the size of the root ball. This becomes the watering zone, holding moisture around the plant, where it is needed most.
4. Choose drought hardy plants. That does not mean you need cacti all over your garden, but rather choose plants for their ability to stand up even to baking summer sun. Prairie grasses and flowers, Mediterranean herbs and trees, roses, all do well in a variety of soil types and growing conditions.
5. Plan for shade in your garden so that (you and ) some more tender plants can get out of the heat.
So what can we do?
In addition to reducing our energy consumption by turning OFF appliances, doing things by hand where we may have taken the conveient option and used a machine, and drastically cutting our use of the family car, we can adapt the way we garden.
1. Mow the lawn at a higher level so it stays green longer without the need for additional water (and mow it less frequently, saving you time and mower fuel , and our planet)
2. Plant more trees. Trees can be grown in almost all climate zones and do great things for absorbing atmospheric carbon, reducing local heat by shading the ground/interior of buildings, absorbing vast amounts of water from the soil through their roots, humidifying the air and providing habitat for local birds and associated natural communities.
3. When we plant, if your soil is retains water, ensure the ground is raised slightly so the roots do not become waterlogged in times of heavy rain. Once the tree or shrub is in the ground make an earth ring around the plant, at a distance of 2- 3 times the size of the root ball. This becomes the watering zone, holding moisture around the plant, where it is needed most.
4. Choose drought hardy plants. That does not mean you need cacti all over your garden, but rather choose plants for their ability to stand up even to baking summer sun. Prairie grasses and flowers, Mediterranean herbs and trees, roses, all do well in a variety of soil types and growing conditions.
5. Plan for shade in your garden so that (you and ) some more tender plants can get out of the heat.
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