Building design facts for kids
Sustainable Building Design in Australia is all about creating buildings that are good for both people and the planet. It means designing homes and other structures in a way that uses less energy, water, and materials, and has a smaller impact on nature. This article will help you understand what a sustainable building designer does and how they make buildings more eco-friendly.
Contents
What is a Sustainable Building Designer?
A sustainable building designer is a professional who plans and designs buildings. They are also called an eco designer or green designer. These designers know a lot about how buildings are made. But they also think about how the building will affect the environment and the people living in it.
A building designer helps you create plans for a building. They make sure the design fits your needs, your style, and your budget. You can hire them for the whole building process or just for parts of it.
Eco designers really care about the environment. They try to find a balance between making a building eco-friendly and keeping it practical and affordable. For older buildings, they find ways to make them work better and use less energy. For new buildings, they apply these green ideas from the very start.
These designers might even help create a living space that produces its own food or resources. This can make your life better and also help the environment around you. Some designers might even specialize in Permaculture, which is a way of designing living systems that are sustainable and self-sufficient.
Sustainable building designers often know a lot about their local area. They understand how the weather, landscape, and geography affect building. For example, a designer in Queensland, Australia, would think about sunshine, wind, rain, and how to keep buildings cool in hot weather.
What Services Do They Offer?
Most building designers offer a full range of services. This goes from the first ideas for a building to the detailed plans needed for construction. They also work with the builder and check the building as it's being made. This helps make sure the final building is just what the client wanted.
The cost for a designer's work usually depends on the project. Sometimes, they agree on a fixed price before starting. Other times, they charge by the hour.
Here are some things a building designer might do for you:
|
|
|
Building Designer vs. Architect: What's the Difference?
Both architects and building designers can create plans for buildings. They can work on small projects or large, complex ones. Here are some key differences between them:
| Building Designer | Architect |
|---|---|
| Usually studies for 2–3 years | Usually studies for 5–6 years |
| Needs different licenses in different states (e.g., a QBCC license in Queensland) | Must be registered with the Board of Architects across the country |
| Different licenses allow them to work on different types of projects | Can work on almost all types of projects |
| Can offer different services, like interior design or managing contracts | Often offers a full service, including interior design and more |
Does Their Education Matter?
Both building designers and architects can do similar types of work. Architecture is often seen as a creative degree. However, many building designers have also created very unique and artistic projects.
Each designer, whether an architect or a building designer, is different. They can vary in their prices, what they've studied, their experience, their achievements, their personal style, and how they work with clients.
What to Look For in a Good Designer
When choosing a designer, here are some good qualities to look for:
- Qualifications – Look for degrees or diplomas in building design or architecture. These show they have the right skills.
- Experience – A designer with experience shows they know how to get things done.
- Accomplishments – Awards can show that a designer's work is of a very high standard.
- Philosophy – This is the designer's main approach to their work. Make sure their ideas about beauty, sustainability, and how things work match yours.
- Communication – It's a great start if you feel your designer listens well and explains things clearly.
- Style – There are many different design styles. See if the designer has their own style or if they are happy to design to suit your tastes.
Building designers and architects are quite similar. The best choice for you will be a designer you trust. They should be able to show they are capable, have ideas that match yours, and have the creativity to complete your project. Good communication between everyone involved is the most important thing for a successful project.
