Healthy Homes on the Agenda

HEALTH issues such as natural light, fresh air, noise and mould have become important issues for Australian homebuyers and renovators, according to Archicentre, the building design, inspection and advice service of The Australian Institute of Architects.

Increases in population density across Australian cities and suburbs means people are living closer together and this has put a premium on designing or buying properties with healthy environments.This not only applies to apartments in CBD areas but also increasingly in suburban areas where older homes may be demolished and replaced with medium density developments.

Achicentre's David Hallet said people are becoming more conscious of the need for their homes to provide a healthy environment and smart design has become extremely important to delivering healthy lifestyle outcomes.

"With increasing housing density the noise factor has become a consideration for homebuyers, with double glazing and sound proofing becoming a high priority for renovators who want to ensure peace within their home environment and cut out neighbourhood noise."

For people moving into high-density environments such as apartment towers in inner-city areas, the added issue of 'city noise' is a major consideration in design.

Odour control is also a consideration. Odour control within homes requires adequate ventilation in the cooking areas to ensure neighbours, especially in apartment blocks, are not impacted by kitchen cooking odours either in their own premises or in public areas such as hallways and stairwells.

"A lack of ventilation in a home can lead to the development of mould which should not be taken lightly as it can trigger life threatening diseases such as asthma," said Hallett.

Mould is a common factor found during Archicentre pre-purchase house inspections, especially in older homes. Mould is also found during inspections of units and apartments where there is often a lack of adequate ventilation in laundry and kitchen areas. In units and apartments, where space is tight, often laundries are little more than a cupboard with a washing machine, a clothes-dryer and laundry basin.

Mould grows wherever it can find both food and water. As food sources are abundant in buildings, mould growth generally indicates the presence of excess moisture, which may be due to numerous factors including leaking water pipes, flooding and condensation.

Moulds require moisture, a food source, such as paper, paint, clothing and still air. Seventy per cent of mould problems are due to condensation coming from wet areas like bathrooms and laundries, while thirty per cent comes from rising damp.

Hallett said it can be eradicated by cleaning it with a special purpose household cleaner, which should kill the current infestation, fixing any sources of moisture such as condensation, rising damp, leaking pipes, and the like, and by improving ventilation by leaving windows open.

"Designing healthy, sustainable environments within the home and its surrounds is an integral part of the work of an architect."

  By Archicentre

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