Principles

The idea of the good is an idea in Greek philosophy that there is an ideal form for everything and that is what we are seeking to find.

The outcome of most projects rests on a high level of trust between the client, the architect, consultants and the builder. The best projects happen when all these operators are good in the sense that they can be trusted. The core values of Good Architect are creativity, quality and integrity.

Finally "good on you" is what we want to hear when a project is finished.

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What is Good Architecture is the question we are always asking. Here are a few elements that we use on the Central Coast, based on the latest research into what creates healthy, beautiful spaces for people:

Light:

Light is a crucial element in architecture, and its impact on the human experience and wellbeing has been the subject of many scientific studies. Here are a few examples:

1. "Natural Light and Productivity: Analyzing the Impacts of Daylighting on Students’ and Workers’ Health and Alertness" by N. Shishegar and M. Boubekri. This gives an overview of many other studies and found that the presence of natural daylight improves students health, satisfaction, attention and performance are improved with the help of natural daylight. It suggest that humans are affected both physically and psychologically by light. Physically natural light produces vitamin D which facilitates calcium buildup which strengthens bones. Light also affects our metabolism and our endocrinal and hormonal systems through our vision system and circadian rhythm.

2. "Non-visual biological effect of lighting and the practical meaning for lighting for work" (2006) by Wout J.M van Bommel. This study found that the use of different lighting conditions can have a significant impact on good lighting has a positive influence on health, well-being, alertness, and even on sleep quality.

3. "Impact of Windows and Daylight Exposure on Overall Health and Sleep Quality of Office Workers: A Case-Control Pilot Study" (2014) by M. Boubekri et al. This study found that the exposure to natural light during the day and the use of appropriate lighting conditions at night can have a positive impact on sleep quality and circadian rhythms, and can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It found that workers without access to natural light had poorer sleep quality and did less physical activity.

4. “The Efficacy of Light Therapy in the Treatment of Mood Disorders: A Review and Meta-Analysis of the Evidence” (2005) by R. N. Golden et al found that light is effective in reducing depression symptom severity. This was found using artificial lights that mimicked sunlight so it is important to specify lighting that mimics natural sunlight with 2700K and a CRI as close to 100 as possible.

These scientific studies demonstrate the importance of light in architecture and the impact it can have on the human experience and wellbeing. The use of appropriate lighting conditions can contribute to a more comfortable, productive, and healthy environment.

Ceiling Height:

Ceiling height is a crucial element in architecture, and its impact on the human experience and wellbeing has been the subject of many scientific studies. Here is an example:

1. "The Influence of Ceiling Height: The Effect of Priming on the Type of Processing That People Use" by Joan Meyers-Levy and Rui Zhu suggest that people perceive spaces with higher ceilings as beautiful while rooms with lower ceilings were considered less.

These scientific studies demonstrate the importance of ceiling height in architecture and the impact it can have on the human experience and wellbeing. The appropriate height of a ceiling can contribute to a more spacious, relaxed, and acoustically appropriate environment.

Passive Solar Design:

Orienting buildings to the north and ensuring buildings have access to sun in winter while keeping it out in summer can help create buildings that feel comfortable and that use less energy. Passive Solar design is important as it can save energy costs and reduce our impact on the environment. It can also contribute to thermal comfort which is important to our physical health and wellbeing. Thermal comfort is an important aspect of architecture, and its impact on the human experience and wellbeing has been the subject of numerous scientific studies.

Planting and outdoor spaces:

Access to nature is an important aspect of architecture, and its impact on the human experience and wellbeing has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Outdoor views have long been considered an important aspect of architecture, and their impact on the human experience and wellbeing has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Here are a few examples:

1. "Development of Visual Preference for Natural Environments" by J.D. Balling and J.H. Falk (1982) shows that humans have a preference for green plants and spaces.

2. "Health benefits of Gardens in Hospitals." by R.S. Ulrich shows distinct benefits to patients in hospitals from exposure to gardens.

These scientific studies demonstrate the importance of outdoor views in architecture and the impact they can have on the human experience and wellbeing. Access to outdoor views and exposure to natural environments can contribute to a more comfortable, productive, and healthy environment.

Colour:

Colour is an important aspect of architecture, and its impact on the human experience and wellbeing has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Here are a few examples:

1. "Intense illumination in the morning hours improved mood and alertness but not mental performance" 2014 by O. Keis et al. This study found that the use of blue enriched white light in classrooms improved concentration and had faster cognitive processing, although there was no effect on improving memory.

2. "Brain Responses to Violet, Blue, and Green Monochromatic Light Exposures in Humans: Prominent Role of Blue Light and the Brainstem" (2007) by G Vanderwalle et al. This study compared the effect of voilet, blue and green light on participants performing a memory task, blue light inmporved activity in the brain, although this was a small study with only 15 participants.

3. "Colour Dynamics: Environmental Colour Design" (1993) by A. Nemesics. This suggests that the colour red induces motor excitation and should only be used in active environments, not classrooms where students need to sit for long periods. It showed suggests that complex mental tasks requiring acute concentration and reasoning are better resolved in blue coloured environments, whereas tasks involving sudden change or explosion of ideas had better results in red environments.

4. "Colour and lighting in hospital design" (2006) by H. Dalke et al. This study found that the use of colour in healthcare environments can have a positive impact on physical health and healing, and can improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery time.

5. "The Impact of Light and Colour on Psychological Mood: A Cross Cultural Study of Indoor Work environments" by Kuller et al (2006) has also found that colour has a positive impact on the mood of people in workplaces.

These scientific studies demonstrate the importance of colour in architecture and the impact it can have on the human experience and wellbeing. The careful use of colour can contribute to a more comfortable, productive, and healthy environment.

Narara Ecovillage House - Low VOC and Natural Materials

Low VOC Materials and Natural Ventilation:

The indoor air quality is one of the most important factors in architecture that can greatly affect people's health. Poor air quality can lead to various health problems, such as respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and allergies. Architects and designers must ensure that buildings are designed and constructed with appropriate ventilation systems to provide good indoor air quality for the occupants.

The most important factor that affects people's health through the buildings they live in is the presence of indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, mold, and radon, can have serious impacts on health, including respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and even cancer. It is crucial for architects and designers to consider indoor air quality when designing and constructing buildings, and for occupants to take steps to maintain good indoor air quality through proper ventilation, cleaning, and maintenance.

Local, Durable Materials:

Environmental sustainability: Using local materials reduces the carbon footprint of transportation, and can also support local economies.
Cost efficiency: Local materials are often less expensive than imported materials.
Improved performance: Local materials may be better suited to local conditions, and therefore perform better in specific applications.
Cultural significance: Using traditional or locally-sourced materials can help to preserve cultural heritage and maintain a connection to local history and traditions.

Using local, durable materials from the Central Coast means less embedded energy and longer lasting buildings that require less maintenance. One source we use to find sustainable materials is The Library of Sustainable Materials from Design and Architecture Scotland.

Acoustics:

"Perceived Indoor Environment and Occupants’ Comfort in European “Modern” Office Buildings: The OFFICAIR Study" by A Sakellaris et al studied the occupants of 7441 workers within 167 modern office buildings and found that the following had the strongest correlation with occupants comfort in this order: Noise, air quality, light and thermal comfort. Study of detailed parmeters found that "noise inside buildings was highly associated with occupants overall comfort, "layout of the offices was the next parameter associated with overall comfort. This study used Indoor Environmental quality (IEQ) to rate indoor conditions, this uses a mix of objective measurement (pollutant air levels, air temperature, noise levels and illuminance and subjective surveys.

Sketch to 3D Modelling

Good Architect uses both sketching and Revit to ensure seamless coordination among all services and empower clients to effectively manage their assets. This is the process:

1. Site Analysis, watercolours and sketches.

2. Conceptual Design

3. 3D visualisation

Why Architects are Worth it?

The best reason to use an architect is that they care about a good outcome for the site and will go above and beyond the fees they are paid to get you there. Architects study at University for a minimum of five years, have a minimum two years work experience and then sit written and oral exams. The term architect is protected in Australia because they are highly trained professionals who use their problem solving skills to get the best outcome for sites. The best thing for any project is to use a local architect because they will create architecture that is made for that location, with lcal materials and the right balance of thermal mass, insulation and overhangs for passive solar design. Good Architect creates architecture that is designed for the conditions of the Central Coast and responds to the particular requirements of each site including wind direction and overshadowing.

If you are looking for an architect on the South Coast on NSW, in Eurobodalla or Wollongong we highly recommend Amber Shultz from Elysium Architecture:

Elysium Architecture

If you are looking for an architect in Melbourne, we highly recommend:

Gary Beck Architect

If you are looking for an Architect in Launceston we highly recommend:

https://madeofwood.com.au/

If you find that Good Architect is not the right fit for you then we highly recommend the following architects on the coast, as we've seen their work over the past 10 years and like what they do:

Deda Design Studio

ADG Architects

True North Architects

Poppy Bevan Architectures and Interiors

CKDS Architecture

White + Dickson Architects

Whatever you do - if you want a quality project, use an architect, you won’t get better value for money.

If there is one thing we’re sure of is that it takes a good architect to create good architecture.

Wadalba Dual Occupancy - Why use an architect?

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