JEFFERSON GODFREY ARCHITECTS · RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
Design Guides
Plain-English readers about good residential design, comfort, materials and approvals in Canberra and NSW. Each article stands on its own. Choose the subject that interests you.
Explore the readers
Browse by topic below. There are no compulsory reading sequences.
DESIGN READERS
Energy & comfort
- What do seven stars measure?What the rating includes, what it does not, and how design decisions affect the result.
- Climate and locationWhy a Canberra house and a coastal NSW house need different design responses.
- Thermal comfortComfort depends on more than the reading on the thermostat. Surface temperatures, air movement, humidity and the way a room is used all contri
DESIGN READERS
Design decisions
- OrientationArrange rooms, windows and outdoor areas around the site and seasonal sun.
- GlazingUnderstand whole-window U-values, solar heat gain and glass specification.
- ShadingWelcome useful winter sun while limiting unwanted summer heat.
- Putting design decisions togetherHow orientation, glazing, shading, insulation and construction interact.
- Siting and solar accessThe location of rooms, walls and courtyards can protect or obstruct sunlight for decades. Look at the block and its neighbours before settling
- Room zoning and floor planningHeating and cooling the right spaces at the right times starts with the room layout, not the equipment selection.
DESIGN READERS
Construction & materials
- InsulationKeep the thermal boundary continuous through roof, walls and floor.
- ConstructionConsider thermal mass, airtightness, junctions and the building process.
- Ventilation and air leakageGood homes need an intentional path for fresh air. Accidental gaps in the building shell are not a substitute for ventilation.
- Thermal massConcrete, brick and stone can absorb and release heat. Whether they improve comfort depends on sunlight, insulation, ventilation and climate.
DESIGN READERS
Approvals & ratings
Canberra & New South Wales
These guides cover ACT and NSW projects, including the different conditions of Canberra, the Southern Tablelands, coastal NSW, inland locations and alpine areas. Check your local climate and approval pathway before applying general guidance.