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Designing for Accessibility and Aging in Place
We should all be so lucky to age in a society that allows us to age gracefully.
Designing for inclusion is one way we hope to leave the world better.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDAs)
It costs on average 22% more to retrofit a home for accessibility than it would be to design for it upfront. NDIS SDAs provides investors with the opportunity to purchase a property that has been approved for use as SDA and rent it out to NDIS participants.
Designing Healthy Spaces: Creating an Environment for Wellbeing
Architecture has a significant impact on health and well-being. Poorly designed buildings can lead to poor air quality, causing respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. Good architecture can promote social interaction and community, as well as encourage biophilic design which can improve mental health. Passive House is a building standard that can reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, as well as improve indoor air quality and encourage active transportation. All of these factors can have significant health benefits for building occupants.
Should I hire an Architect or a Draftsperson?
When deciding whether to hire an architect or a draftsperson, consider the size and complexity of your project, your budget, and your personal preference. Architects are typically the best choice for large-scale and complex projects, while building designers may be more cost-effective for smaller projects. Make sure to review portfolios and references before making your decision.
Interview with “My First Architecture Job”
At Whisker Architecture we’re passionate about continuing to share and expand our knowledge. When Sarah Lebner from “My First Architecture Job” invited our principal and founder, Audrey Whisker, to do an interview it was an easy decision.
Pro Tip: Inspiration
“Audrey, I just had this great idea! I was talking to my friend’s girlfriend who…”
— Beloved Client
What is a Home Masterplan Report?
A Home Masterplan Report is ideal for clients still deciding on: Strategic Direction [sell or extend, buy or build], Scope of Works [3 bed or 4], Budget [how much do you choose to invest for the outcome], Configurations [should the master suite be at the front of the house or on level 1], and/or Professional Guide [who will lead you through this process).
Home Renovation: Trends to Avoid
Home renovation can be a costly and expensive exercise. Here are some of my tips on trends not to get caught up in this year.
Value of Design: Avoiding Micro-Frictions
When the little rituals, the tiny little chapters in the stories of our lives, don't align with the spaces we live in there is friction. You find yourself worn down by a dozen micro-frustrations every day. Good design can relieve that burden.
“Do I need a building permit?”
It can be tricky to know if you will need a building permit for a small project. It’s a common question amongst DIY-ers and if the answer is “Yes” it could trigger costs you may not have accounted for.
Working From Home: Will it Last?
All around the country, and the world, people have been working from home. This year, 2020, the Year of the Pandemic.
Some have embraced this new experience, some have loathed it, some have grudgingly been dragged into a new era of digital competency they never expected or wanted.
Will it last? Or will we slingshot back into the pre-Covid “normal”?
Project Budget vs Construction Budget
Do you know the difference between Construction Cost and Project Cost? Read on to learn more about this common pitfall new clients fall into.
12 Tips for a Low Maintenance Bathroom
Nobody likes cleaning their bathroom. Follow these 12 tips toward a low-maintenance bathroom for your next renovation or new build.
Home Design: Research Mode
Where to start when you don’t know where to start? You might not be building for a few years or you might be diving into the design of your dream home. Here are a few practical resources to get you started.
Grand Designs & Chill
Compared to many renovation shows Grand Designs is fairly accurate. Here are some common questions we hear after a client TV binge session.
On time and on budget
We’ve all heard the horror stories about projects that take years to finish or end incredibly over budget. That doesn’t have to happen. The key is understanding the risk points and mitigating them.
10 Tips for Kitchen Design
Here’s 10 tips to help you design a practical kitchen. You’ve been trawling Pinterest and Houzz for months. Your head is spinning with kitchen design ideas. Or maybe you’re just about to start designing a kitchen and you just don’t know where to start.
Why Work with an Architect
Should you work with an architect? Yes! Good design is not the ‘fast fashion’ of housing but can fulfill social, environmental and practical needs much more effectively than many large-scale housing companies.
How to Brief Your Architect
Lost in the woods and not sure where to start? We can help with that. We've put together a little tool called "What’s my story?" - it's a very simple way to make sure your design reflects your personality.
Choosing an Architect
Whether you're meeting with us or another studio, these are some questions to help you cut through the marketing pitch and find out if you're a good match.
Ask us.
Can’t find the answer to your question? Ask it here and we’ll write a blog post on the topic.
We should all be so lucky to age in a society that allows us to age gracefully.
Designing for inclusion is one way we hope to leave the world better.