Today we have the lovely Jessica Murray, Director of Cooper and Blake Architecture. Jessica specialises in designing high-value sustainable homes on smaller footprints.

 

Jessica combines healthy home practices, passive design principles and the philosophy of wabi-sabi to create spaces that prioritise quality over quantity.

 

Our mental well-being and physical health are incredibly influenced by the design of our homes. Having a home connected to the environment, that incorporates high quality and low toxicity materials and considers aspect and access to sunlight impact the quality of our lives and the way we function day to day. Jessica talks us through how orientation, airflow and intentionality can help create a home that optimises health and wellbeing.

 

Jessica talks us through the philosophies of her practice, and how she takes clients on a journey from the pre-design stage. She explains the Project Roadmap offering from Cooper and Blake that is aimed at providing advice and guidance on creating a more sustainable project before you even reach the design phase. Jessica believes that careful consideration of both the motivation and expectations of a client ensures the success of a project and allows informed decisions to be made early on. This ensures sustainability is embedded in the project, rather than being expensively retrofitted at the end.

 

There is a dance that homes provide and we discuss how worthwhile it is to interrogate our use and intentions for spaces to ensure they meet our needs and allow us to live our lives in the way we desire.

 

Jessica also talks us through the benefits of a smaller footprint, considering both sustainability and liveability. A smaller footprint not only reduces material costs but allows for larger garden spaces, impacting water permeability, cooling the site overall and allowing for even more connection with the natural environment. 

 

We also discuss the evolution of homes and the concept that what we build now will outlive us. This brings a whole new meaning to the concept of sustainability and quality!

 

Jessica reminds us that sustainability can be added on early, and if it is, can lead to much better outcomes for both the home and the client’s health and well-being. She really smashes through the perception that being sustainable is expensive, complicated and a luxury add-on.

 

LINKS:

 

Connect with Jessica:

 

Website:    http://www.cooperandblake.com.au

Instagram:    @cooperandblakearchitecture

Email:        [email protected]

Phone:        0466 857 873

 

Cooper and Blake Architecture Project Roadmap Consultation

 

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