FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This month Archicentre Australia provides information about identifying constructional defects in buildings, complemented by sound advice that home owners or buyers should be aware of in order to ensure that the integrity of the home they live in or are buying is secure.
Odour control is vital, says Archicentre Australia
Environmental issues such as indoor air quality, access to natural light and privacy have become important issues for Australian home-owners. Archicentre Australia says these issues impact negatively on the comfort and enjoyment that homes should bring but can be overcome with the assistance of architects.
“Increases in population density across Australian cities and suburbs mean that people are living closer together and this has put a premium on designing or buying properties with healthy environments,” says Archicentre Australia director Peter Georgiev.
“This not only applies to inner city apartments but also increasingly in suburban areas where older homes are demolished and replaced with medium density developments.”
Poor air quality can detract considerably from a comfortable lifestyle, he says, whether the odours are from internal sources, such as kitchens, or external, including air pollution, proximity to industry, neighbours, food outlets and municipal waste.
A lack of ventilation, inadequate building materials and poor design, internally and externally, can increase the risk of poor air quality and lack of odour control. This is exacerbated by the provision of open plan living areas.
“Adequate ventilation is a must in the cooking areas to ensure that occupants and neighbours, especially in apartment blocks and townhouse developments, are not impacted by kitchen cooking odours. Common areas of apartments such as hallways and stairwells are particularly susceptible to poor ventilation,” Peter Georgiev says.
“A rangehood plumbed into the roof cavity rather than externally results in poor control of odours, allowing vermin to feed off residue cooking fats in roof spaces. Worse still is the “Claytons Rangehood” – where exhausts are re-circulated into the kitchen and living spaces”.
“Inferior building materials can also fail to effectively filter odours and poor quality air,” he says.
Archicentre Australia says that quality internal and external designs can also play a major part in reducing the impacts of odours generated from inside the home or from outside sources.
“Involving an architect in the design process right from the outset can alleviate these issues,” Peter Georgiev says. “This applies whether you are building a new home or apartment, or intending to carry out extensions or renovations to your existing dwelling.
“People are becoming more conscious of the need for their homes to provide a healthy environment and smart design has become extremely important to delivering healthy lifestyle outcomes.
“Designing healthy, sustainable environments within the home and surrounds is an integral part of the work of an architect, so make sure your new home or renovation is as well-designed as can be.
“Starting your project with an Archicentre Australia design sketch that balances your requirements with energy efficiency considerations and all applicable design controls can save you time and money in long run.
“Your architect will consider in detail site orientation, people circulation, energy efficiency and sustainability, furnishing, cost and many other matters, including odour control.
“Because Archicentre Australia does not build homes or undertake renovations, you can rest assured that our advice and recommendations will be completely independent and objective to provide you with the information required to help you decide on the best course of action,” Peter Georgiev adds.
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
