With energy prices rapidly rising, it’s inevitable that some of the focus when designing and building homes needs to be on energy efficiency. This fits in with a broader focus on sustainability, flexibility, and well-being.
Energy Efficiency
These homes are designed to generate as much energy as they consume, often using solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and smart building management systems.
They also incorporate improved insulation and energy-efficient glazing to enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption. A focus on water management is also expected to become more common, especially in regions prone to extreme weather events.
Weather Responsive Designs
As more homes are built in areas susceptible to severe weather occurrences, such as cyclones, bushfires and floods, new designs that are more practical in those areas are emerging. They include the ability to withstand high winds, or bushfire-resistant features.
Australia is a land with many different weather and energy challenges, and building trends are moving in the direction of being more sensitive to regional requirements. The ultimate goal is housing that saves money in energy costs and can withstand harsh weather conditions.