Smart Living Spaces
@smartlivingspaces.bsky.social
I help people achieve beautiful healthy valuable and affordable spaces to call home. Architectural Design with people and planet in mind.
Visit my website: www.smartlivingspaces.nz
Visit my website: www.smartlivingspaces.nz
What happens when a design doesn't fit the site?
Someone once brought me a plan they'd drawn and asked me to put it on their site. It fell off the back boundary by about three metres. They asked me, has the site shrunk, or has the house got bigger?
In the next reel I touch on why people pay more
Someone once brought me a plan they'd drawn and asked me to put it on their site. It fell off the back boundary by about three metres. They asked me, has the site shrunk, or has the house got bigger?
In the next reel I touch on why people pay more
September 26, 2026 at 9:06 PM
What happens when a design doesn't fit the site?
Someone once brought me a plan they'd drawn and asked me to put it on their site. It fell off the back boundary by about three metres. They asked me, has the site shrunk, or has the house got bigger?
In the next reel I touch on why people pay more
Someone once brought me a plan they'd drawn and asked me to put it on their site. It fell off the back boundary by about three metres. They asked me, has the site shrunk, or has the house got bigger?
In the next reel I touch on why people pay more
Why don't people tell their architectural designer what they can spend?
Because there's a fear that the fee will magically match whatever number you say out loud. It doesn't work like that, and I'd rather just tell you how it does work.
In the next reel I touch on what happens when a design doesn
Because there's a fear that the fee will magically match whatever number you say out loud. It doesn't work like that, and I'd rather just tell you how it does work.
In the next reel I touch on what happens when a design doesn
September 25, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Why don't people tell their architectural designer what they can spend?
Because there's a fear that the fee will magically match whatever number you say out loud. It doesn't work like that, and I'd rather just tell you how it does work.
In the next reel I touch on what happens when a design doesn
Because there's a fear that the fee will magically match whatever number you say out loud. It doesn't work like that, and I'd rather just tell you how it does work.
In the next reel I touch on what happens when a design doesn
Do not think the building code protects you from a cold home in winter and a hot home in summer.
The real problem is that the building code has no maximum temperature your home cannot exceed, and no minimum temperature it cannot drop below. That's why designing for summer and winter comfort using
The real problem is that the building code has no maximum temperature your home cannot exceed, and no minimum temperature it cannot drop below. That's why designing for summer and winter comfort using
September 25, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Do not think the building code protects you from a cold home in winter and a hot home in summer.
The real problem is that the building code has no maximum temperature your home cannot exceed, and no minimum temperature it cannot drop below. That's why designing for summer and winter comfort using
The real problem is that the building code has no maximum temperature your home cannot exceed, and no minimum temperature it cannot drop below. That's why designing for summer and winter comfort using
Can you be too involved in your own design?
I had a client once who tried to manage me like an employee. He was frustrated, I couldn't do my job properly, and the project suffered for it. I don't think he was happy with the result either.
In the next reel I touch on why people won't tell their ar
I had a client once who tried to manage me like an employee. He was frustrated, I couldn't do my job properly, and the project suffered for it. I don't think he was happy with the result either.
In the next reel I touch on why people won't tell their ar
September 24, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Can you be too involved in your own design?
I had a client once who tried to manage me like an employee. He was frustrated, I couldn't do my job properly, and the project suffered for it. I don't think he was happy with the result either.
In the next reel I touch on why people won't tell their ar
I had a client once who tried to manage me like an employee. He was frustrated, I couldn't do my job properly, and the project suffered for it. I don't think he was happy with the result either.
In the next reel I touch on why people won't tell their ar
You think high performance means whatever the designer is selling you.
The real problem is that without modelling and benchmarking, high performance is just a marketing word with nothing behind it. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre design concepts, quickly consent ready, benchmarked to both the
The real problem is that without modelling and benchmarking, high performance is just a marketing word with nothing behind it. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre design concepts, quickly consent ready, benchmarked to both the
September 24, 2026 at 4:50 AM
You think high performance means whatever the designer is selling you.
The real problem is that without modelling and benchmarking, high performance is just a marketing word with nothing behind it. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre design concepts, quickly consent ready, benchmarked to both the
The real problem is that without modelling and benchmarking, high performance is just a marketing word with nothing behind it. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre design concepts, quickly consent ready, benchmarked to both the
Who should I be talking to for my new home?
Too many cooks spoil the broth, but you do need the right cooks at the right time. I've watched clients pour energy into conversation after conversation and get almost nothing back for it.
In the next reel I touch on whether you can be too involved in y
Too many cooks spoil the broth, but you do need the right cooks at the right time. I've watched clients pour energy into conversation after conversation and get almost nothing back for it.
In the next reel I touch on whether you can be too involved in y
September 23, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Who should I be talking to for my new home?
Too many cooks spoil the broth, but you do need the right cooks at the right time. I've watched clients pour energy into conversation after conversation and get almost nothing back for it.
In the next reel I touch on whether you can be too involved in y
Too many cooks spoil the broth, but you do need the right cooks at the right time. I've watched clients pour energy into conversation after conversation and get almost nothing back for it.
In the next reel I touch on whether you can be too involved in y
You think building waste is just part of the cost of construction.
The real problem is that waste is a leak in your build budget that's been normalised. Imprecise material calculations, bin hire, removal fees and rising dumping costs all stack up. Small Smart Spaces uses off site products which ke
The real problem is that waste is a leak in your build budget that's been normalised. Imprecise material calculations, bin hire, removal fees and rising dumping costs all stack up. Small Smart Spaces uses off site products which ke
September 23, 2026 at 4:20 AM
You think building waste is just part of the cost of construction.
The real problem is that waste is a leak in your build budget that's been normalised. Imprecise material calculations, bin hire, removal fees and rising dumping costs all stack up. Small Smart Spaces uses off site products which ke
The real problem is that waste is a leak in your build budget that's been normalised. Imprecise material calculations, bin hire, removal fees and rising dumping costs all stack up. Small Smart Spaces uses off site products which ke
How do I avoid getting disappointed with my design?
A mentor of mine once told me plans are a set of instructions. He was right. And if the bridge between your vision and what your builder needs isn't well founded, the disappointment shows up on site, where it's most expensive.
In the next reel I
A mentor of mine once told me plans are a set of instructions. He was right. And if the bridge between your vision and what your builder needs isn't well founded, the disappointment shows up on site, where it's most expensive.
In the next reel I
September 22, 2026 at 9:34 PM
How do I avoid getting disappointed with my design?
A mentor of mine once told me plans are a set of instructions. He was right. And if the bridge between your vision and what your builder needs isn't well founded, the disappointment shows up on site, where it's most expensive.
In the next reel I
A mentor of mine once told me plans are a set of instructions. He was right. And if the bridge between your vision and what your builder needs isn't well founded, the disappointment shows up on site, where it's most expensive.
In the next reel I
How do I start my new build project without guessing?
You start with numbers, honestly discussed, before anything gets drawn. There's a figure in your head and there's a figure that builds the house, and they are not the same figure.
In the next reel I touch on how to get your new home built fast
You start with numbers, honestly discussed, before anything gets drawn. There's a figure in your head and there's a figure that builds the house, and they are not the same figure.
In the next reel I touch on how to get your new home built fast
September 22, 2026 at 5:01 AM
How do I start my new build project without guessing?
You start with numbers, honestly discussed, before anything gets drawn. There's a figure in your head and there's a figure that builds the house, and they are not the same figure.
In the next reel I touch on how to get your new home built fast
You start with numbers, honestly discussed, before anything gets drawn. There's a figure in your head and there's a figure that builds the house, and they are not the same figure.
In the next reel I touch on how to get your new home built fast
How do I get my new home built faster?
Not by rushing the plans. By investing the right time in the right stage, so the project flows instead of stalling. Rework and delays are what actually cost you time, and they start upstream.
In the next reel I touch on how to get the right people on your pr
Not by rushing the plans. By investing the right time in the right stage, so the project flows instead of stalling. Rework and delays are what actually cost you time, and they start upstream.
In the next reel I touch on how to get the right people on your pr
September 22, 2026 at 5:00 AM
How do I get my new home built faster?
Not by rushing the plans. By investing the right time in the right stage, so the project flows instead of stalling. Rework and delays are what actually cost you time, and they start upstream.
In the next reel I touch on how to get the right people on your pr
Not by rushing the plans. By investing the right time in the right stage, so the project flows instead of stalling. Rework and delays are what actually cost you time, and they start upstream.
In the next reel I touch on how to get the right people on your pr
You think a high performance home is out of reach because of cost.
The real problem is that most high performance designs aren't designed for efficiency. Premium systems get specified without consideration of how they're used, and the budget blows out. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed
The real problem is that most high performance designs aren't designed for efficiency. Premium systems get specified without consideration of how they're used, and the budget blows out. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed
September 22, 2026 at 4:52 AM
You think a high performance home is out of reach because of cost.
The real problem is that most high performance designs aren't designed for efficiency. Premium systems get specified without consideration of how they're used, and the budget blows out. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed
The real problem is that most high performance designs aren't designed for efficiency. Premium systems get specified without consideration of how they're used, and the budget blows out. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed
Why do so many people fall in love with a design they can't afford?
I watched it happen in the practices I worked in before I started my own business. The design comes back, the price comes back, and the two don't meet. It's a particular kind of heartbreak, and it's avoidable.
In the next reel I
I watched it happen in the practices I worked in before I started my own business. The design comes back, the price comes back, and the two don't meet. It's a particular kind of heartbreak, and it's avoidable.
In the next reel I
September 21, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Why do so many people fall in love with a design they can't afford?
I watched it happen in the practices I worked in before I started my own business. The design comes back, the price comes back, and the two don't meet. It's a particular kind of heartbreak, and it's avoidable.
In the next reel I
I watched it happen in the practices I worked in before I started my own business. The design comes back, the price comes back, and the two don't meet. It's a particular kind of heartbreak, and it's avoidable.
In the next reel I
You think low carbon means uncommon products and a bigger budget.
The real low carbon move is sourcing locally. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed concepts built around New Zealand manufactured high performance products, Formance SIPs, Ambiance uPVC windows and doors, QPod foundations,
The real low carbon move is sourcing locally. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed concepts built around New Zealand manufactured high performance products, Formance SIPs, Ambiance uPVC windows and doors, QPod foundations,
September 21, 2026 at 4:50 AM
You think low carbon means uncommon products and a bigger budget.
The real low carbon move is sourcing locally. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed concepts built around New Zealand manufactured high performance products, Formance SIPs, Ambiance uPVC windows and doors, QPod foundations,
The real low carbon move is sourcing locally. Small Smart Spaces is a range of pre designed concepts built around New Zealand manufactured high performance products, Formance SIPs, Ambiance uPVC windows and doors, QPod foundations,
How do I make Passive House affordable?
Bring it in at the start. Not as an add on, not as a bolt on, but as part of the design from day one. Late is what makes it expensive, not the standard itself.
In the next reel I loop back to how you start your new build project without guessing.
#architec
Bring it in at the start. Not as an add on, not as a bolt on, but as part of the design from day one. Late is what makes it expensive, not the standard itself.
In the next reel I loop back to how you start your new build project without guessing.
#architec
September 20, 2026 at 10:06 PM
How do I make Passive House affordable?
Bring it in at the start. Not as an add on, not as a bolt on, but as part of the design from day one. Late is what makes it expensive, not the standard itself.
In the next reel I loop back to how you start your new build project without guessing.
#architec
Bring it in at the start. Not as an add on, not as a bolt on, but as part of the design from day one. Late is what makes it expensive, not the standard itself.
In the next reel I loop back to how you start your new build project without guessing.
#architec
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
September 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
What are the opportunities hiding in my site?
Aspect, orientation, access. Your site is already telling you what it wants to do. Work with it and you create value. Fight it and you spend money creating something you didn't even want.
In the next reel I touch on how to make Passive House affordabl
Aspect, orientation, access. Your site is already telling you what it wants to do. Work with it and you create value. Fight it and you spend money creating something you didn't even want.
In the next reel I touch on how to make Passive House affordabl
September 19, 2026 at 10:04 PM
What are the opportunities hiding in my site?
Aspect, orientation, access. Your site is already telling you what it wants to do. Work with it and you create value. Fight it and you spend money creating something you didn't even want.
In the next reel I touch on how to make Passive House affordabl
Aspect, orientation, access. Your site is already telling you what it wants to do. Work with it and you create value. Fight it and you spend money creating something you didn't even want.
In the next reel I touch on how to make Passive House affordabl
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
September 19, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
How do I keep my design affordable?
By having the honest money conversation before anything gets drawn. Not after. The difference between your project budget and your build budget is the whole ballgame.
In the next reel I touch on the opportunities hiding in your site, and what it costs you to mi
By having the honest money conversation before anything gets drawn. Not after. The difference between your project budget and your build budget is the whole ballgame.
In the next reel I touch on the opportunities hiding in your site, and what it costs you to mi
September 18, 2026 at 9:20 PM
How do I keep my design affordable?
By having the honest money conversation before anything gets drawn. Not after. The difference between your project budget and your build budget is the whole ballgame.
In the next reel I touch on the opportunities hiding in your site, and what it costs you to mi
By having the honest money conversation before anything gets drawn. Not after. The difference between your project budget and your build budget is the whole ballgame.
In the next reel I touch on the opportunities hiding in your site, and what it costs you to mi
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
September 18, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
When do I need to be involved in my design?
At the points where your input changes the outcome. Not constantly, and not never. Knowing what's coming, when it's coming, and what you have to decide is what keeps this enjoyable instead of exhausting.
In the next reel I touch on how to keep your desi
At the points where your input changes the outcome. Not constantly, and not never. Knowing what's coming, when it's coming, and what you have to decide is what keeps this enjoyable instead of exhausting.
In the next reel I touch on how to keep your desi
September 18, 2026 at 10:54 AM
When do I need to be involved in my design?
At the points where your input changes the outcome. Not constantly, and not never. Knowing what's coming, when it's coming, and what you have to decide is what keeps this enjoyable instead of exhausting.
In the next reel I touch on how to keep your desi
At the points where your input changes the outcome. Not constantly, and not never. Knowing what's coming, when it's coming, and what you have to decide is what keeps this enjoyable instead of exhausting.
In the next reel I touch on how to keep your desi
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
September 17, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
September 17, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
September 17, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
June 28, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture
June 28, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Small Smart Spaces is a range of Healthy and Comfortable Architecturally Designed Homes suitable for #passivehaus Certification and Homestar ratings, Direct from the Architectural Designer to you. #newzealand #Architecture