Choosing an appropriate size for your home is the most important step in controlling its economic and environmental cost. It makes good sense to think carefully about the space you need. Some points to consider are:

• * Could you add it later if you do?
• * Will you use a formal dining area?
• * How many living areas do you need?
• * Do you need more than one bathroom? Would a well designed 3 way bathroom suffice?
• * How much garage space? Do you want to devote 20 percent of your house to your car?
  
  

1. Well designed rooms with clever storage and carefully considered furnishing patterns can often allow a reduction in size of up to 30 percent without loss of amenity.
   
2. Poorly designed spaces are often difficult to furnish due to door, window, heater locations and traffic paths. Poor (or no) design is often compensated for by allowing additional space. This costs far more than the services of a professional designer without the added benefits of a professionally designed home.
   
3. Ask your designer to consider how your furniture (existing or planned) will fit into each room. Do a scale drawing and experiment with your furniture placements before buying.
   
4. Consider combining smaller separate living spaces into one larger multi-purpose space with nooks and crannies for individual activities. This can give a greater feeling of space while reducing floor area.
   
5. Build or buy your home for your needs. Avoid the mistake of building for re-sale. Be confident that the home you like will be very saleable to people like you, if and when you sell it.

SENSITIVITY TO NEIGHBOURING DEVELOPMENTS

Minimise your home's visual impact by choosing:

• * Appropriate materials.
• * A form sympathetic to the precinct.
• * Appropriate bulk, height and style.
• * Non reflective/low glare materials and finishes.
• * External colours most sympathetic to the surroundings.
• * Consider the effect your house will have on your neighbours' solar access, visual and acoustic privacy and views.
• * Avoid housing designs that significantly overshadow or overlook the main living areas or garden space of neighbours.
• * Avoid locating noisy areas (such as pools, driveways, service equipment) near the bedrooms or living areas of neighbours.

Social impact

• * A safe home, in a neighbourhood watch area, overlooking a well lit street or park can help discourage crime.
  
• * Consider how you can achieve visual privacy when you want it while being able to interact with neighbours when you need to.
  
• * Though sometimes desirable for noise reduction, building a fortress can cut you off from your community.
  

TOPOGRAPHY

1. Design or choose your house to respond to the natural topography of the site and minimise the use of excavation and fill. This saves energy, preserves natural drainage patterns and prevents soil erosion.
   
2. Excessive excavation can damage the ecological integrity of the site and disturb groundwater zones.
   
3. Investigate the underlying geology as it will influence construction costs and energy used in excavation.
   
4. A geotechnical report is often requested by Council or your engineer. If in doubt, obtain one.
   
5. Stormwater, particularly overland flows, can create severe problems. Check that the site is not affected by stomwater entering from neighbours' gardens or downpipes before buying.

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