SMALL HOUSE

Sustainability - The Capacity to Endure
The health of our environment is one of the most pressing issues facing us today, and the onus is on all of us - both as individuals and collectively - to respond to this challenge as best we can. At SMALL HOUSE, this challenge is a fundamental reason for our being.

The concept and practice of sustainable design can be overly complicated, but we believe that it is essential to keep it simple. Our designs and buildings draw inspiration from the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Essentially, we always look to do more with less. We maximise the environmental opportunities of any particular site, we reduce the use of resources in our buildings (materials, water and energy), and we source our materials locally from certified and sustainable sources. Finally, we believe that it is essential to build our houses well and to make them comfortable - things that are made well tend to be better cared for, last longer, and retain their value. Like a favorite china mug versus a throw away plastic cup.

Saving You Money
Taking a sustainable approach to building isn't just about caring for the environment, though - it also makes good economic sense. Filled with natural light, heated by the sun and cooled by natural breezes, Small House conserves our fragile and finite resources whilst simultaneously saving you money. With the need for mechanical air conditioning virtually eliminated, with energy efficient appliances and fixtures and potential for rainwater collection and reuse, both your energy and water bills are reduced to levels far below the average residential house. If you save a $1000 dollars this year, imagine how much you will be saving in five or ten years time? Economics and sustainability are not polar opposites - a win win scenario is not only possible but is in fact essential. In the end it is an easy choice, and the right one.