5 rules for smart design

With ANZ, Homes to Love is exploring the ways we live now, under the theme of ‘Smart homes’ – and how this trend allows us to live and build today.

ANZ, designs for living — Photograph by Samuel Hartnett.

Houses keep getting smarter: even houses built a decade ago lack the technical sophistication of their newly built counterparts and progressions in engineering mean sections that were once considered unbuildable are now viable. But building a smart house is about more than automation and iPads – to be truly smart, home owners and architects must take advantage of the latest techniques in geo-tech, engineering and design, along with precise construction and, in many cases, pre-fabrication. And at its core, smart design is just really good design – houses should be beautifully resolved so that they last their owners well into the future, through many different ages and stages.

The 5 rules

Get the brief right: it’s less about number of bedrooms and more about how you live.
Involve your architect early on – they will see things in a site that looks unbuildable.
Use materials and fittings that last and age beautifully – trends come and go but good materials just get better.
Find great professionals – lighting designers, geotechnical engineers and interior designers are worth every dollar.
Don’t chase trends: ask yourself what you need and why you need it, rather than installing this year’s latest must-have.

If you’re thinking about building, buying or renovating use the ANZ home loan calculator to work out how you can achieve it. Visit anz.co.nz/homeloans for more information.