By Kate Hamblet
In the quest to build a dream home, it’s easy to get swept away by endless options, complex designs, and the allure of "more is better." But what if the key to reaching your sustainable, healthy home goals lies not in adding complexity, but in embracing simplicity?
A simple home design will cost less, be easier to build, have longer term durability, and be more energy efficient and healthier than a complex design. Plus, there will be less stress for you along the way. What’s not to love about that?!
Simplicity Isn't Boring – It’s Intentional
A simple home doesn’t mean a dull one. Instead, simplicity in design is about stripping away excess, focusing on what truly matters, and allowing the home to reflect your values and lifestyle. Every square foot is considered, every material carefully chosen. This thoughtful approach leads to a house that serves you, not the other way around. There is so much beauty in simplicity.
Defining A Simple Design
A rectangle with a triangle (gable) roof on top is the easiest, most straightforward house to build. The key to simplicity is minimizing the amount of jogs in the exterior walls and the amount of roof lines. The more wall jogs and the more complicated the roof, the harder it is to make the house air tight, well-insulated and water leak proof.
Simple Design
A simple rectangular form with one roof shape. Add interest with materials, windows, and exterior features like overhangs and porches.
Complex Design
Multiple jogs in the exterior wall and lots of roof intersections make for a very complicated and hard-to-build structure.
Efficiency in Every Detail
A healthy, energy efficient, comfortable home is air-tight, well insulated and durable. And a simple design makes this type of home so much easier to achieve than a complicated design. Every exterior corner and every roof intersection is an opportunity for air and water leakage, so the fewer you have on your home, the better.
Additionally, simple rooflines and fewer architectural features often make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, without the need for expensive custom solutions. These designs are easier to maintain, reducing the lifetime cost of ownership and the environmental footprint of the home.
The Power of Simplicity
Inside the home, simple designs focus on functionality and flow. When we avoid overcomplicated layouts or extravagant features, we make room for what’s essential: creating a home that enhances daily life and promotes health and well-being. For example, a well-designed, modest home might center around an open-plan kitchen and living area that encourages connection and natural light. Spaces flow intuitively, with fewer walls and corridors. This simplicity can reduce the materials needed, shorten construction time, and minimize waste, making it easier to meet sustainability goals from the start.
Health and Well-Being Flourish in Simplicity
Homes with less complexity tend to be healthier homes. In a simplified space, it’s easier to focus on healthy materials, efficient air exchange, and minimizing indoor pollutants. For example, fewer materials and finishes mean fewer places for dust, allergens, or toxins to accumulate. With a streamlined layout, it's easier to ensure good ventilation and air quality, which directly supports the well-being of the inhabitants.
Moreover, a simpler, cleaner home environment helps reduce stress. By minimizing unnecessary clutter and focusing on essential elements, the home becomes a calming, nurturing space that promotes mental well-being as well.
Sustainable Materials, Mindful Choices
Simple homes allow for mindful material selection. Instead of spreading your budget across numerous finishes and details, you can focus on quality, sustainable materials that have a lower environmental impact. Opting for renewable resources, like sustainably harvested wood or non-toxic finishes, becomes more achievable when the home’s design is streamlined. This simplicity in material selection also means easier sourcing, a smaller carbon footprint, and reduced waste during construction.
The Joy of Living Simply
Ultimately, the joy of building simply comes from creating a home that supports your life and values. When your home isn’t burdened by unnecessary complexity, it becomes a space that can grow with you. Simple homes encourage a sense of calm, reduce environmental impact, and offer a practical path toward a sustainable, healthy future.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the daunting process of building or renovating, consider that simplicity might just be the solution. By focusing on what truly matters—well-thought-out spaces, sustainable materials, and a design that works for your daily life—you’ll find that the journey to your dream home is not only easier but more joyful.
By, Kate Hamblet
The Wellness Architect Balanced Architecture
Kate helps health-conscious families create homes that support and promote health, happiness, and longevity. You'll find her at www.balancedarchitecture.com
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