A blank canvas on which to stamp your own style, energy efficient, built to modern standards and featuring a contemporary specification, alongside a range of potential financial incentives to help you buy – there are a host of reasons to choose a newly-built home.
Developments in new technologies, build processes and industry standards also mean that new homes are built in a more sustainable way than ever before. They are also more resilient, future-proofed by design values that enable them to adapt and respond to changing occupant requirements and future climate change.
Often overlooked are the benefits that come as a result of the meticulous planning and design process undertaken on every new homes development in the UK. Before a spade has even been placed in the ground, a team of experts will have spent months, sometimes years, creating the new community that your home is part of to ensure it is a vibrant, attractive and sustainable place to live for years to come.
At CALA we’ve taken the design process one step further with the formulation of our Light and Space collection; thoughtfully-designed homes, which have been devised to promote sustainability and wellbeing, with such advancements as the introduction of Air Source Heat Pumps, reducing the use of fossil fuels, and considered ventilation design. New technologies have also been introduced, made possible with undertaking for Superfast broadband across all of CALA’s developments.
In the UK, we typically spend 90% of our time indoors, with the majority of this time spent in our homes1. Our homes therefore have a huge impact on our comfort, health and general wellbeing. Research by the UK Green Building Council found that consumers want a home that contributes to their health and wellbeing2, while research by Saint Gobain found that 90% looking to move/buy were concerned about the impact their new homes would have on their health and wellbeing1.
Carefully-crafted by a cross-disciplinary team of professionals and informed by CALA customer feedback, the Light and Space collection does exactly what it says on the tin. Piers Banfield, Group Product Director at CALA, says, “In order to improve the health and wellbeing of families and communities, there is no better place to start than the home. It is where most people spend most of their time, and in turn has the ability to impact almost every aspect of our lives.”
Daylight, in particular, has a profound influence on our health and wellbeing. It is important for our immune system, boosts our vitamin D intake and gives us healthier bones. It can also reduce stress, enhance your mood and even help you sleep better. That’s why all of the homes in CALA’s Light and Space collection have been designed to maximise natural light ingress.
“We’ve switched to lower-sill, wider windows and made more use of roof lights, sun pipes and glazed roof lanterns, as well as side windows to stairwells and landings” says Piers. “Where possible, you’ll find folding-sliding doors that further extend the family kitchen and living space into the garden, also maximising views and promoting natural ventilation opportunities.”
The way in which we live, utilise space and interact with each other at home has been a key influence on the layouts of the Light and Space collection, with each home specifically designed with CALA’s target markets in mind. Steve Rule, CALA’s Group Architectural Technology Manager says, “The majority of our family homes have been designed to feature three-zone kitchens, opening up the cooking and informal living-dining area. This multi-functional room is great for those with busy lifestyles as it encourages social interaction and engagement, especially at mealtimes – something which is proven to have health and wellbeing benefits for families.”
“Equally important are breakaway rooms, so while we are delivering more open plan living space, we are also providing more settings for relaxation and reflection, such as formal lounges for entertaining or unwinding, and studies for focused work.
“We’ve included more TV snugs and playrooms for children and their friends – some of which are on the first or second floor to free up ground-level living space. Bedrooms have also become more balanced and equal in size, ensuring that everyone has their own haven in the home.
“By widening hallways and increasing ceiling heights, we’ve also opened up the flow of the home, creating a greater sense of space.
“Storage is also vitally important to promoting a functional and stress-free home, which is why we provide ample storage solutions in every CALA home.”
CALA’s Light and Space collection can be found at the following developments: Oakwood Gate in Bampton, Aspen Park in Haddenham, Beaumont Gate in Oxford, Edward Park in Drayton, Vanbrugh Meadows in Long Hanborough, Cotefield in Bodicote, Castle Bay in Dunbar, Kingfisher park and Ralverig Heights in Balerno.
Visit www.cala.co.uk for more information.
1 https://multicomfort.saint-gobain.co.uk/media/1163/saint-gobain-research-home-health-and-wellbeing-report-2016-full-report.pdf
2https://www.ukgbc.org/sites/default/files/08453%20UKGBC%20Healthy%20Homes%20Updated%2015%20Aug%20(spreads).pdf