In episode #26, Ludwina Dautovic talks with Antony DiMase, from DiMase Architects about the future of sustainable housing.
Sustainable architecture has the potential to reshape our future. In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of discussing this topic with Antony DiMase from DiMase Architects. Antony firmly believes in the transformative power of good design. His vision for sustainable living spaces paints a picture of a world where houses are not merely commodities, but energy-efficient sanctuaries that contribute positively to the environment.
The core of sustainable architecture, according to Antony, lies in the creation of small footprint buildings. These structures, enriched with natural light, good ventilation, and adaptable spaces, go beyond providing shelter. They create an environment that enhances the quality of life while being kind to the planet. Antony's work exemplifies this approach, offering an ideal blend of comfort, functionality, and sustainability.
A well-designed building lasts a long time. It can last centuries. It can last for an incredible amount of time. So the notion that if we want to create a sustainable building is actually we build well, we build small footprint buildings, natural light, good ventilation, spaces that can be adaptable for a multitude of uses - Antony DiMase
One of the key topics Antony discusses is the importance of energy efficiency in homes. This is an aspect that renters can also contribute to, despite not owning the property. Simple measures like closing off vents, using bubble wrap on windows, and installing strips under doors can significantly reduce drafts and make a home more energy-efficient. Regular maintenance, Antony emphasises, plays a critical role in enhancing a building's longevity and sustainability.
But energy efficiency is just one piece of the puzzle. To create truly sustainable housing, we need to delve deeper and explore more complex solutions. This includes strategies to reduce carbon emissions, like improving insulation and decreasing energy consumption. It also involves exploring active systems such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting, and even moving away from gas.
If you're designing a house with good insulation, good cross ventilation, you're not designing a house that's too big for what it needs to be and you've got good landscaping in and around the building. The need for heating and cooling it's much reduced - Antony DiMase
Another intriguing concept Antony explores is the potential of green loans and subsidies. With the rising importance of environmental, social, and governance reporting standards for housing, green loans could offer homeowners the means to make their homes more energy-efficient. This ties in with the idea of creating a logbook system to track progress in energy efficiency, a system that could provide tangible proof of a home's sustainability credentials. The affordability of housing also forms a crucial part of the sustainability conversation. With rising house prices and construction costs, an increasing number of people are turning to renting. This shift presents its own challenges, but also opportunities for creating sustainable, affordable living spaces. Antony advocates for a community-based, grassroots approach to solving these issues, emphasising the potential of small-scale interventions and resource-sharing.
The conversation with Antony DiMase offers a compelling glimpse into the future of sustainable housing. It emphasises the importance of good design and energy efficiency, and explores innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions and creating affordable, eco-friendly homes. With architects like Antony leading the way, we can look forward to a future where every home is a sanctuary that complements our planet.
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Katika kipindi cha 26, Ludvina Dautovic anaongea na Antony DiMass, kutoka DiMass Architects, juu ya siku zijazo za makazi endelevu. Usanifu-ujenzi endelevu una uwezo wa kubadili wakati wetu ujao. Katika kipindi chetu cha hivi karibuni cha podcast, tulikuwa na furaha ya kujadili mada hii na Antony DiMase kutoka DiMase Architects. Antony anaamini sana katika nguvu ya kubadili ya muundo mzuri. Maono yake ya nafasi za kuishi endelevu huchora picha ya ulimwengu ambapo nyumba si bidhaa tu, lakini mahali patakatifu pa nishati inayochangia mazingira. Msingi wa usanifu endelevu, kulingana na Antony, uko katika uundaji wa majengo madogo ya alama. Majengo hayo, yenye nuru ya asili, uingizaji hewa mzuri, na nafasi zenye kubadilika-badilika, hayatumiwi tu kama makao. Wao huunda mazingira ambayo huongeza ubora wa maisha huku wakiwa wenye fadhili kwa sayari. Kazi ya Antony ni kielelezo cha mbinu hiyo, ikitoa mchanganyiko bora wa starehe, utendaji, na uendelevu. Jengo lililobuniwa vizuri hudumu kwa muda mrefu. Inaweza kudumu kwa karne nyingi. Inaweza kudumu kwa muda mrefu sana. "Kama tunavyojua, ""mfano wa ujenzi wa nyumba ya kudumu"" ni kujenga nyumba ndogo, na nafasi nzuri ya hewa, na nafasi za kubadilisha kwa matumizi mbalimbali, na kwa hivyo kuimarisha ufanisi wa nishati katika nyumba." Hii ni kipengele ambacho wapangaji wanaweza pia kuchangia, licha ya kutokuwa na mali. Hatua rahisi kama kufunga vimbunga, kutumia bubbly wrap kwenye madirisha, na kufunga vipande chini ya milango inaweza kwa kiasi kikubwa kupunguza drafts na kufanya nyumba zaidi ya nishati ufanisi. Antony anasisitiza kwamba matengenezo ya kawaida hutimiza fungu muhimu katika kuboresha maisha marefu na uendelevu wa jengo. Lakini ufanisi wa nishati ni kipande kimoja tu cha fumbo hilo. Ili kuunda nyumba endelevu kweli, tunahitaji kuchimba kina na kuchunguza suluhisho tata zaidi. Hii inajumuisha mikakati ya kupunguza uzalishaji wa kaboni, kama vile kuboresha insulation na kupunguza matumizi ya nishati. Pia inahusisha kuchunguza mifumo ya kazi kama vile paneli za jua na kuvuna maji ya mvua, na hata kuhamia mbali na gesi. Ikiwa nyumba yako ina insulation nzuri, hewa nzuri, na ufumbuzi mzuri, basi nyumba yako itakuwa nzuri na nzuri kwa ajili ya mazingira. "Kama vile, ""Utekelezaji wa mazingira ni muhimu kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya nchi,"" Antony DiMass alisema, ""Kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kuwa na mazingira ya kijani.""" Kwa sababu ya umuhimu unaoongezeka wa viwango vya ripoti za mazingira, kijamii na utawala kwa ajili ya makazi, mikopo ya kijani inaweza kutoa wamiliki wa nyumba njia ya kufanya nyumba zao kuwa na ufanisi zaidi wa nishati. Hii inahusiana na wazo la kuunda mfumo wa kitabu cha kumbukumbu ili kufuatilia maendeleo katika ufanisi wa nishati, mfumo ambao unaweza kutoa uthibitisho halisi wa sifa za uendelevu wa nyumba. Uwezo wa kununua nyumba pia ni sehemu muhimu ya mazungumzo ya uendelevu. Kwa sababu ya ongezeko la bei ya nyumba na gharama za ujenzi, idadi ya watu wanaohamia makazi ya kukodisha inaongezeka. Mabadiliko haya yana changamoto zake mwenyewe, lakini pia fursa za kuunda nafasi za kuishi endelevu, za bei nafuu. Antony anatetea mbinu ya msingi ya jamii ya kutatua masuala haya, akisisitiza uwezekano wa uingiliaji wa kiwango kidogo na kushiriki rasilimali. Mazungumzo na Antony DiMase yanatoa mtazamo wa kuvutia juu ya siku zijazo za makazi endelevu. Inasisitiza umuhimu wa kubuni nzuri na ufanisi wa nishati, na kuchunguza ufumbuzi wa ubunifu kwa kupunguza uzalishaji wa kaboni na kuunda nyumba za bei nafuu, za mazingira. """Kwa wasanifu kama Antony kuongoza njia, tunaweza kutazamia siku zijazo ambapo kila nyumba ni patakatifu ambayo inasaidia sayari yetu." Kuunganisha na Antony DiMase kutoka DiMase Wasanifu Kujiunga na mazungumzo juu ya Chumba Xchange