1. More and more people are aware of the need to save
resources by building eco friendly houses. In cooler
climates there are many eco friendly building methods
that are becoming main stream.
eco friendly furniture
2. Incorporating solar panels into the design of a house is one way of
cutting heating bills and reducing carbon emissions But what
considerations do you need to take into account when building an
eco house in a tropical zone? Keeping the house cool, rather than
warming it up, is one of the main considerations
3. Air conditioning is as expensive, if not more so, to run than heating
and greatly increases a house's carbon foot print An architect
with knowledge of airflows can design a house that takes full
advantage of natural breezes to keep the house cool and uses light
and shaded areas to full advantage
4. The late, great architect Laurie Baker enshrined a set of principles
which included the advise to "study and know local materials" and
know how they perform and where to find workmen that understand
their use
5. He also advised - "don't rob natural resources" - they should
not be used extravagantly or unnecessarily
6. One of his main eco principles was the need to "study and know
energy" used both in the transportation and the manufacture of
materials and the need to reduce this wherever possible
7. You are also advised to "get your conscience out of the deep
freeze" when designing and building
8. If you have decided to build an eco friendly house in a tropical
climate, you will want to find a set of house plans that conform to the
principles of this revered architect
9. As the cost of land is generally high, you will also want to find a set
of plans that maximize the use of the space available to give you a
light, airy, naturally cool and easy to run home
