by Annelle Carter

Created on: May 17, 2008

Facing the climatic changes that are taking place in the 21st Century,our perspective of Architecture should be changing rapidly.Gone are the days when we should be building Victorian type homes.A few ideas to think of, before you design your next home.

To help carbon emissions go solar as much as possible.Plant trees near your house,if you are in a hot climate,and away from the house in climates that are not tropical.Plant trees on the border of your property too.Have some pot plants inside the house,and cover the soil with colored crushed glass, which comes in a variety of colors.Or put white stones on top of the soil.This helps keep in the moisture,and also stops the cats from using the soil as a littler box.

Bring the garden inside,by carefully planning that you have lots of glass and less bricks.In other words, bigger windows,glass sliding doors.Try to design your home that wherever you look,which ever way you are walking,you get a view or glimpse of the garden.I lived in a house like this,designed by a German Architect, and it was wonderful.When we came home,we were really able to relax and leave the office problems behind.

Floor tiles are much more healthy for your family than too much carpeting. Carpeting keeps dust and as more and more people suffer with hay fever, allergies and asthma,tiles are a better choice.One can always have a rug over the tiles, in specific areas like the middle of the lounge area, touching bottoms of the couches and under the coffee table.Under the dining table, and at the sides of beds.For those who like wooden floors, just remember,there has been an increase in termites,in Western countries.

When it comes to the kitchen,the biggest problem,is always,bending to get what you want out of the cupboards.A Pantry is a good idea,but in open plan area it is not always easy to find a place for the pantry.If you want one, make sure it is in a corner,not far from your workbench. to alleviate the constant bending, put large drawers,to store children's toys, and other utensils, like sleeping bags,week end bags, which you don't need all the time.Young children will also be able to access their toys themselves.This method,helps to raise the level of your work bench and drawers,sink,stove,oven. For easy cleaning of bench tops, make sure you have your appliances you use regularly,in a cupboard against the wall,on the bench top, with a plug for each appliance, and you can shut the cupboard door,once finished and washing the appliance. A cupboard

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