SMART HOMES

I think that many of us still associate home automation and ‘smart’ technology with James Bond style hide-outs complete with velvet curtains which open at the flick of a switch or Jetson’s-style flying machines which conveniently fold up into a suitcase once you arrive at work! Up until more recently home automation has been driven by the desire for convenience, fuelled by advances in technology and paid for by the super-rich.

ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN SELF BUILD & DESIGN MAGAZINE

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS: SNOW

OK so not always practical, I know! But as the UK shivers behind its brick and block walls it occurred to me: isn’t snow just one of the best sustainable building materials out there?

It is an ancient building material used by hunters to create temporary shelter in vast arctic wastelands. Igloos were able to be constructed quickly with simple tools and construction techniques and most importantly out of a plentiful natural resource. So no transportation, fast track construction and renewable material; the ultimate eco-build!

Ice has in fact in recent years become the new cool! From the infamous ice hotel to the fabulous Iglu-Dorf (www.iglu-dorf.com) chain of igloo villages there are various options now for a chilly vacation. Methods of construction have even developed from the traditional snow block method to inflating giant balloons and covering them in snow using a snow plough. Once compacted the balloons are deflated and beautiful snow clad spaces are revealed. N ice!

Obviously the key flaw to this sparkly glittery material is the temperature required to sustain it, which means it’s unlikely to be cropping up in the next Grand Designs episode unless Kevin McCloud relocates to the northern hemisphere. 

Iglu-Dorf Engleberg Igloo Hotel

MAKE CASH FROM YOUR ROOF

Most of us have some sort of roof over our heads, but did you know that you can actually make money from it? With the new Government Feed In Tariff (FIT) the previously ‘pie in the sky’ concept of solar panels has become a realistic way of generating income with the added benefit of doing your bit for the environment.

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?

You maybe considering extending or altering your house to avoid the currently rocky house buying and selling market. If so, have you considered whether you need planning permission or not?