The traditional rental apartment usually follows a simple formula. A tenant rents an entire unit containing a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. That model works well for families, but it does not always match the requirements of people moving to a city alone for employment, internships, professional projects, healthcare assignments, education or lo

When homeowners discuss an energy-efficient house, the conversation usually starts with electricity. How much power will the air conditioner consume? Should the roof have solar panels? Should windows be double glazed? Can smart controls lower monthly electricity use? These are important questions, but they address only one side of a building’s carbon f

A home can look completely clean while the air inside tells a different story. Fresh paint, engineered furniture, adhesives, cleaning products, cooking, moisture, dust and outdoor pollution can all influence indoor air quality. At the same time, modern homes are becoming increasingly airtight to improve thermal efficiency and control air-conditioning loads.

Most homeowners begin planning a new residence by discussing bedrooms, elevation, parking, interiors and construction cost. Water infrastructure often comes much later. Where will the underground tank be located? Where will roof rainwater go? Can water from showers be reused? How much water will the garden need? What happens when the rainwater tank becomes f