Rather than creating living areas that fit in with so-called trends, Australians should be tailoring their homes to match individual current and future needs while incorporating the natural attributes each site offers, according to Archicentre Australia.
The national architect’s advisory service says its member architects work closely with each client on an individual basis to ensure the design of each home suits their unique needs.
Many residential trends seen today are introduced by volume-based builders who are simply coming up with a one-size fits all approach in order to get the homes built quickly and to the builder’s benefit, Archicentre Australia director Peter Georgiev says.
“So-called trends are often gimmicks invented for marketing purposes to get as many homes sold off a template and as soon as possible.
“Many trends do not necessarily add to the longer term functional benefits achieved by architect designs.
“Sensible features that address site circumstances will generate tailored design solutions rather than superimposing trends.”
For instance, he says, if a site aspect allows the ability to take in views and/or solar gain at a living room edge, this might become the focus for a tailored external living space leading into a garden or pool.
“This all depends on client proclivities,” Peter Georgiev says.
“Archicentre Australia’s Architects can design appropriate indoor and outdoor living spaces reflecting the needs of each individual client and in their respective climate zones. This often means striving to bring the outdoors in to provide a comfortable, enjoyable, practical and sustainable lifestyle from southern Tasmania up to the tropics.”
“Prestige” is a word often used in marketing today – that Peter Georgiev says is a misnomer as it is an entirely subjective word that can mean something different to each particular client.
“The “prestige” peddled by volume builders is not the true definition of the word. It can only be tailored or crafted by an architect to accommodate site opportunities and client needs.”
He says rather than opting for trends or even trendy colours such as white, grey or charcoal, clients should be asking their architect to celebrate life with a little colour, texture and imagination to reflect the individual client’s personality.
“I would like to see authenticity coming into the built form, such as the use of natural stone, timbers and face brick rather than texture coated Blueboard or polystyrene, fake stack stone, stick on classical features and the like. There’s more than mining ore for export that can come out of Australia – we should celebrate the excellent building materials that come out of the ground – clays for face bricks or tiles and stone for cladding, paving and benchtops.”
“In the same manner, smart technology should not be seen as a ‘must-have trend’.
“Technology is changing and more people are seeking to incorporate smart technology, such as Wi-Fi, into their homes but this should be part of the design process meeting current and future needs of residents, whether in new homes or apartments, or additions to existing homes.”
For more information go to www.archicentreaustralia.com.au
This media release has been written and distributed by:
Archicentre Australia
Peter Georgiev, Director
Level 1, 9 Strathalbyn Street,
Kew East, VICTORIA, 3102
Phone: 1300 13 45 13 | 03 9859 9950