Articles

The use of renewable energy sources in homes has been gaining popularity over the last couple of decades. Components of renewable energy systems are becoming more affordable. People are looking to reduce their dependency on the national electrical grid supplies and by extension, reduce their energy costs. Small island states in tropical regions are especially […]

You are setting out on a new home construction project. You wrote down all the must-haves for the design brief and you have agreed upon your home construction budget. However, when you get to your architect or design professional you realise that your design brief is bigger than your construction budget…by quite a bit. No

In tropical regions, there is an increasing need for water storage tanks on individual properties. Water scarcity is a growing concern in many countries due to climate change. Public water supply resources are under mounting pressure to meet the demands of their rising population. As such, there is a growing need to have backup storage

Residential houses have been using exterior window shutters for quite some time. They were a common element in traditional homes in many tropical and subtropical regions. Shutters on exterior windows can be extremely functional in a tropical home. However, these have lost their popularity in our Caribbean region over the past decades. They are seen

The kitchen has become one of the main showpieces of a home. We always look for new kitchen design ideas to make our home pop for our guests and ourselves. The days when kitchens were strictly utilitarian seem to have dwindled. A large part of our décor budget goes towards the kitchen design to acquire

In tropical regions, having a patio and other covered outdoor living spaces as part of your home is a must…right? After all, we have this amazing climate, awesome weather and stunning views. However, it sometimes seems that though many homes have a patio or some sort of covered outdoor space, they are not used very

A garage is one of those items that often appear as a need on your list of required spaces. But living in the tropics, is it a necessity? Functions and Benefits of a Garage A garage is a place to house your vehicle. Usually it is mostly or completely enclosed. In situations where it is

Exterior doors are an integral part of your home’s character and function. Their style, colour and material influence the overall aesthetic of your home. However, exterior doors perform several important functions beyond their appearance. They are a critical part of a building’s envelope, offering security and protection from the weather. They are many factors to

Natural or passive ventilation is one of the primary concerns of a tropical home. How good the passive ventilation in your home is, will determine the level of reliance on mechanical ventilation systems in tropical climates. What Is Passive Ventilation? Passive ventilation is the process of naturally moving air through an indoor space. It involves