planning a house for the future

Insight If, like the Coopers, you’re thinking about a major overhaul, here are a few pointers Design solutions Environmental impact

Replanning or even building your own home is the biggest investment you’re ever likely to make, not just financially, but in terms of time and commitment too. Making sure it’s a property that will last for many decades to come involves even more consideration. For this reason, there are a number of important factors you’ll need to bear in mind when planning your contemporary home. A natural starting point for a modern home is to choose the design you want. Architectural styles range from barn style to Art Deco and organic to New England, but the most important factor is that it meets the needs of the homeowner – both inside and out.

A Modernist structure is typified by geometric shapes, flat roofs and large expanses of glass, but this style might be out of step with nearby houses and the surrounding landscape. For this reason, the construction materials you choose are vital, and traditional ones, such as clay tiles, timber shingles, stone and wood are as valid as the steel and concrete found in many modern houses, and can age more beautifully. A building project gives you the perfect opportunity to consider the energy efficiency of your home. And one of the main advantages of creating a state-of-the-art dwelling is that it will be well insulated and ventilated.

Fitting large windows and using energy-efficient glazing will reduce heat loss and cut down costs, while installing solar panels and groundand air-source heat pumps will also reduce your energy bills over time.

‘A well-designed home will cost virtually nothing to run, saving you thousands of pounds in the long term,’ says Tom Greford of Architect Your Home. ‘It will also be much quieter, more comfortable and healthier.’