The Arcadia Design Guide
double BRICK or FRAMEd construction?
Homeowners in Perth and the southwest region of WA are very familiar with double brick as the ‘standard’ construction method but is it the best way to build?
ENERGY RATING BASICS
Energy ratings are an important part of your build. What are the minimum requirements, what are the optimal ratings and how do you achieve them?
WHAT MAKES A HOME HIGH QUALITY
Building large homes or homes with large spaces may not be the best way to build. Is it better to save construction costs by building smaller with higher quality?
AIRTIGHT HOUSE CONSTRUCTION
This is a common construction method in Europe but despite being rare in Australia they are gaining popularity. What are they, how do you build them and are they worth the cost?
Which HOT WATER UNIT?
There are a variety of hot water units available for your home build. They all have strengths and weaknesses. Lets find out if there is 1 right answer to this question.
SMART-HOME BASICS
Z-wave, Zigbee, Clipsal Wiser, Smartlocks and the ‘internet of things’. The can-of-worms that is a smart-home can be confusing, lets look at some basics to get you started.
CLADDING - DIRECT FIX OR CAVITY?
The standard cladding fix method deployed by the building industry is clear example of building code compliance NOT guaranteeing ‘best practise’ construction.
DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOW SYSTEMS
The recommendation I make for every home design is “use double glazing'“, but is it worth the cost and which ones do you choose?
THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD SET OF PLANS
A good set of construction drawings are like the footings of a house, they underpin the success of the entire project. Poor drawings can lead to cost overruns and poor building methods.
AVOIDING CONDENSATION
NCC 2022 introduced new codes to help with the control of condensation but were they enough and why is it so important to factor this into a home design and your home usage?
SOLVE PLUMBING LAG
If you have ever turned on a hot water tap or shower and been frustrated by how long it takes for that hot water to flow you may be interested in hearing how to minimize this issue.
SOLAR BATTERIES
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HIGH PERFORMANCE HOMES
What is a high performance home and what kind of features or construction methods would you include to achieve a high performing, energy efficient home?
INSULATION & BUILDING WRAPS
Insulation is key to the thermal performance of a home however, some insulation products are unfamiliar to the average home builder and not all building wraps are made equal.
PLAN OWNERSHIP
When commencing a custom building project should you approach a builder to get your design done or preserve your options and independence by engaging a designer?
HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION
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INTERNAL TRIMS AND FINISHES
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Concrete floor finishes
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