Can Luxury House Plans Be Sustainable?
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Are luxury home plans incongruous with eco-friendliness? Not necessarily. Although people may equate luxury with wastefulness, many of the world’s leading luxury brands are now gearing their goods toward the eco-conscious consumer.
Indeed, some luxury leaders are naming sustainability as the key differentiator that will set their brands apart. For instance, Gucci CEO Francois-Henri Pinault recently told the Guardian, “My deep conviction that sustainability creates value is part of my strategic vision… Sustainability can – and must – give rise to new, highly ambitious business models and become a lever for competitiveness for our brands.”
Pinault and other luxury executives call this new approach “positive luxury” because it encourages a lavish yet conscientious lifestyle. Sustainable luxury house plans are certainly possible when the concept of luxury is recast in this way.
If you’re hoping to pair luxury and sustainability in your home plans, consider incorporating the following elements:
Choose earth-friendly energy sources.If you do nothing else, including alternative, self-renewing energy sources in your luxury house plans can make a big difference for the planet – and for your home’s value. As evidence, consider that Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found that solar energy systems can add up to $17,000 to a home’s value. Here’s one instance where luxury, sustainability and financial astuteness can overlap in luxury home plans.
Include plenty of natural sunlight.This will not only help you feel like you’re living in a peaceful oasis – it will also help reduce the amount of energy you must use to light your luxury home. And the less energy your family uses, the smaller your carbon footprint.
Select durable, sustainable materials.Luxury house plans should incorporate as many recycled, reused and sustainable materials as possible. For instance, you could select reclaimed oak flooring for the main floor of your home and recycled/recyclable carpet in the upstairs bedrooms.
These are only a few of the ways to achieve sustainability when building your luxury home plans. For more ideas, meet with a LEED certified contractor or designer of luxury house plans.
Note: The home shown above is The Galloway House Plan 2462.