Getting inspiration. Creating input for the architect

Once we’d decided to build a house on the section we bought in 2010, we began the exciting and fun process of finding inspirational house designs and information about how to build a sustainable house.

There are many books, apps and websites that cover the subject of how to build a sustainable house. Below is an overview of the ones I have used to draw inspiration:

Websites / apps:

inhabitat

www.inhabitat.com/architecture

This website tracks the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

 

imageswww.houzz.co.nz  (www.houzz.com for the US version)

This website has a large database of house pictures that you can filter by rooms, styles, features, materials and budget.

 

pinterest

www.pinterest.com

Pinterest is well known and an endless source of beautiful houses and interiors to dream about and get inspiration from.

 

Schermafbeelding 2016-08-26 om 16.46.45  www.smallhousebliss.com

This website about small houses ranging from tiny homes, cabins, cottages to prefab modern houses.

 

 

JenReviews

www.jenreviews.com

Jen Reviews is a website which has reviewed a large range of products for in or around your home and lists the best option from security cameras to ideas like 15 Best Small Space Design ideas .

 

 

Books:

A deeper shade of green, Johan Bernhardt, 2008

thebook_front-cover

Sustainable urban development, building and architecture in New Zealand.

A good source of sustainable practices, building processes and examples of sustainable houses in New Zealand.

 

Green Modern, Claire Mc Call, 2014

9780143570820

Eco conscious contemporary New Zealand homes. Contains an explanation of 20 eco principles and has many showcases of sustainable houses in New Zealand with a summary of sustainability features of the homes.

 

Green from the ground up, David Johnston, 2008

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A bit outdated and focused on the US this book however gives a lot of practical building information on green building techniques and products.

 

Kiwi prefab, Pamela Bell & Mark Southcombe, 2012

large_-kiwi-prefab-national-book-launch

Not specifically green focused, the book gives a history on prefab building in New Zealand and describes the techniques, companies and products involved.

 

Small Eco houses, Benitez & Vidiella, 2010

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Nice pictures and examples.

And, still on my wish list is the book

Small house living, Catherine Foster, 2015

small-house-living-cover
Input for your architect 

Using all these different sources I created a pdf of my favorite selections of exteriors, interiors, outdoor areas as input for our architect to communicate the style we like.

pdf-icon-copy-min

 

Inspiration selection (15 MB so loading can take a while)

 

Below my top 5 of beautiful buildings. All out of reach for our budget but really stunning architecture.

stringio

Binomials House, Polidura + Talhouk, Chile

Moonlight-Cabin-JCBA-02

Moonlight Cabin, Jackson Clements Burrows, Australia

Sommerhus 028
Acerb House, Christensen & Co, Denmark

bak-arquitectos-casa-mar-azul-exterior1-via-smallhousebliss

Casa Mar Azul, BAK, Argentina

Carl-Turner-Stealth-Barn6

Stealth Barn, Carl Turner, England

 

If you know good websites or books about small contemporary sustainable homes please let me know in the comments.

Margriet Geesink

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