Embracing sustainability in architecture goes beyond energy-efficient designs and recycled materials. One of the most significant factors in achieving true sustainability is the involvement of a local architect who understands the climate, views, local suppliers, and other region-specific elements. Let's explore the importance of choosing a local architect and how they can contribute to a sustainable future.

1. Bioclimatic Architecture:

Climate plays a pivotal role in determining the design and functionality of any building. Good Architect knows the local climate and what works in terms of thermal mass and insulation, as well as having an inbuilt understanding of the sun angle and the prevaling winds. By harnessing the natural elements like sunlight, wind direction, and rainwater, the Good Architect creates a building that remains comfortable throughout the year while minimizing the reliance on artificial heating, cooling, and lighting. Good Architect designs vernacular architecture of the Central Coast, for the Central Coast.

2. Contextual Design:

A building should be an integral part of its surroundings rather than a foreign structure that disrupts the landscape. A local architect understands the local culture, history, and aesthetics, enabling them to design structures that blend harmoniously with the existing environment. This contextual approach not only enhances the visual appeal but also contributes to a sense of belonging and identity for the community.

3. Views and Natural Ventilation:

Breathtaking views are often a defining feature of a region, and Good Architect uses different techniques to capture these views. By intelligently positioning windows and openings, they can offer residents a seamless connection to the landscape while ensuring adequate natural ventilation that reduces the need for air conditioning and promotes indoor air quality. Areas like Narara, Lisarow, Gosford, Springfield, Wyoming and Ourimbah offer rich rainforests and bush with glimpses of mountains that lend themselves to the use of Shakkei. While areas like Point Clare, Woy Woy, Umina, Ettalong and Terrigal offer glimpses of the water that are stunningly beautiful. In a place filled with natural beauty like the Central Coast, it makes sense to use an architect to capture that beauty and bring it into your home.

4. Sustainable Material Selection:

Good Architect know the local suppliers of sustainable materials and are well-acquainted with nearby suppliers and locally sourced materials, providing an opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Utilising indigenous materials not only supports the local economy but also enhances the building's resilience by leveraging materials that are adapted to the region's specific conditions.

5. Strengthening the Community:

Engaging a local architect fosters collaboration within the community. Sustainable architecture is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it requires understanding the unique needs and aspirations of the people who will inhabit the building. Good Architect is better equipped to communicate with the community, involve them in the design process, and integrate their ideas, leading to spaces that truly cater to the needs of the inhabitants. This makes for richer projects, particularly when incorporating the rich stories and history of the local aboriginals such as the Darkinjung.

6. Preserving Biodiversity:

Good Architect understands the local ecosystem can create designs that minimize disturbance to the surrounding flora and fauna. By preserving green spaces and creating wildlife-friendly architecture, the building can coexist harmoniously with nature, thereby promoting biodiversity. We have a particular focus on using stormwater detention systems that allow small ecosystems to thrive while preventing local flooding.

7. Disaster Resilience:

Good Architect is very conscious of the threat of bushfires in the Central Coast and take great care and going above and beyond the standards to create resilient buildings. We are also very aware of which areas in the central coast flood and can help you navigate the process of getting a flood information certificate from council which will give you a good idea of a safe level to build on. It is very common for inexperienced designers to not be aware of this, this can be very expensive fo rhte client when the whole building needs to be redesigned. Common areas in the central coast that are subject to flooding are Wyong around the creek, Tuggerawong, the North Entrance, Around Showground Road in Gosford and others. This can be checked using Central Coast Online Mapping, turning on the environmental layers and then checking for bushfire and flooding.