"Innovation does not have to be radical, but can be an incremental change that will benefit the users and society at large. At the moment we have a huge opportunity to build sustainable buildings that approach or attain a 'net zero' energy cost. By using local and/or sustainable materials, designing for passive and/or active solar and wind power, designing for very low energy usage, and renovating and adapting existing buildings we can help to mitigate climate change,” she said.
"Addressing this environmental crisis is not only an issue that we must address but also is a tremendous opportunity for design innovation. Addressing these concerns will most definitely introduce a variety of creative solutions."
Look, it’s no secret that many of us want to impress others. We’re inherently social beings after all. There’s a lot riding on having a good reputation and being well respected. It feels nice to be liked. And it’s useful, too, because it makes life so much easier. So it’s no wonder that some of us try to impress others with our fancy homes.
A while back, Bored Panda had an insightful chat about first impressions and how we design our homes with dating expert Dan Bacon, from The Modern Man. He stressed that we have to be true to ourselves and furnish our homes in a way that makes us happy. We won’t be able to impress absolutely everyone, so we should focus on what it is that we truly want. Not what we think others want of us.
"A man’s home is part of what people initially use to judge his social status and character. However, how he behaves and acts with the people who come over to his place says so much more about him," Dan told Bored Panda that one’s behavior is more important than where they live, even if it’s our homes that leave the first impression.
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"A man might have a perfectly tidy, well-designed, and stylish home, but be very nervous and try too hard to impress people who come over. So, rather than seeing him as a cool, confident, successful man they can admire and look up to, most people just perceive him as a nervous, insecure guy with a nice place. Alternatively, they may see him as a guy who tries hard to please others with material things because he's insecure about himself and doesn't feel good enough in their eyes,” he said.
According to Dan, one of the core parts of being a good host is letting your guests be in the spotlight. Let them be the center of attention. "Remember that most people care more about themselves than other people. So, allow people to talk about themselves, rather than always trying to be the center of attention,” he said.
"Also remember to not try to oversell yourself or your place, to hopefully gain people’s approval. Be confident and secure in who you are as a person and let your surroundings provide additional clues about who you are and how you approach life."
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The expert pointed out that everyone is unique: while some feel confident only in a perfectly ordered home, others are fine with a bit of a mess and a dash of chaos.
"If you enjoy placing a lot of importance on your home because it means a lot to you, then do that. If you only see it as a place to live and want to focus your attention on other things, you should do that. You can never impress or please everyone, no matter what you do. Just look at celebrities as an example. They have millions of people who love them and millions who hate them,” he said that homeowners ought to focus on what makes them happy.
"The same applies to your home. You will never make it, furnish it or arrange it in a way where everyone loves you for it and wishes they had it. Some people will love it, others will like it and some will hate it. So, just enjoy doing what you want to do. That’s the only way you’ll truly be happy."
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