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Why do houses have voids?

Voids can serve to ventilate, let in light and create a remarkable design focus with their double-height space. Voids are not purely aesthetic, however. Multi-level dwellings without a void can feel somewhat divided into compartments; voids can create connection points throughout a home to bring families together.

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One of the benefits of a double-storey building is the freedom to create dramatic spaces through design elements like the inclusion of a void. Voids can serve to ventilate, let in light and create a remarkable design focus with their double-height space. Voids are not purely aesthetic, however. Multi-level dwellings without a void can feel somewhat divided into compartments; voids can create connection points throughout a home to bring families together.

Using a void can improve natural lighting

Depending on your block orientation and surrounding homes, sometimes the lower floors of a two-storey home can suffer from a lack of natural light. Such issues are especially noticeable with homes on a narrow block. A well-placed void can offer the utility of a skylight without the need to include solar domes and flexible solar tubes through the home. The Soho display home showcases how a void adds to the appeal of common spaces by letting in additional lighting and a feeling of spaciousness no matter the building’s footprint.

Void design in modern homes

A void in your floor plan will usually be there to accommodate services, as a space for the staircase, or simply as an aesthetic feature such as in a foyer or sunroom. Much like a beautiful musical composition, it’s the space between the notes that allows beauty to come to the fore. Used in an entryway, a void introduces a welcoming sense of space and light that can flow through the entire home.

How to maximise the impact of a void in your home

A void offers benefits at night as well; namely adding personality to your entryway with beautifully-designed light fixtures or ornamental hanging features. Stairs create a void by their nature, but one that can be stylishly designed. If your staircase features multiple landings and turns, you might consider installing shelving to house ornaments or under-stair storage.

What do I need to consider with a double-storey void?

In Australia, stairs, mezzanines and double-storey voids require balustrading, so those with young children need not worry. A void does have some additional minor maintenance considerations, for example: dusting or window cleaning will require an extendable rod with attachments. The most frequent concern homeowners raise is around difficulty changing light globes or light fixtures. It is true that you may need a ladder to change a bulb in a void, but the already rare occasion is further reduced by opting for LED lighting. LEDs have no traditional filament to ‘burn out’ and carry warranties of around 5-7 years. They’re also one of the most energy-efficient lighting types on the market, so well worth the investment. Natural light is a benefit, though high windows can potentially result in unwanted heat transfer. Selecting double glazed windows for higher points in a home can offer better thermal control. Installing automatic shutters/blinds in hard-to-reach areas is another option that homeowners rarely regret.

Bringing the indoor and outdoor together with a void

Aussies love our outdoor lifestyle, and the alfresco area is pretty much the second living room in many family homes. Looking at the Aria display home as an example, a void allows one to elevate the ‘verandah’ coverage, connecting the interior and exterior of a building. Whether you’re entertaining guests, or relaxing inside with a good book, you’ll be able to appreciate the framing of the sky, treetops and landscaping elements, all visible from the first floor or mezzanine walkway.

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How do you make burglars think you're home?

Try remote-controlled lighting The goal, as Paine emphasizes, is to “mimic human activity,” not to have as many lights on as possible. For instance, if all of your lights turn on or off at the same time, burglars might sense that something is amiss. The same goes for having your outdoor lights on during the day.

3 / 8 Halfpoint/Shutterstock Try remote-controlled lighting Today, it couldn’t be easier to monitor your home from afar—all you need is your smartphone to access most smart-lighting systems. “Many smart lights and connected lighting systems now allow for remote-access capabilities, where you can turn lights on and off using a smartphone—whether you’re at the office or enjoying a day at the beach,” Paine says. Make sure that your remote-controlled lighting doesn’t backfire, though. The goal, as Paine emphasizes, is to “mimic human activity,” not to have as many lights on as possible. For instance, if all of your lights turn on or off at the same time, burglars might sense that something is amiss. The same goes for having your outdoor lights on during the day. Here are some other important things you should do to keep your home safe while you’re away. 4 / 8 Vasyl Shulga/Shutterstock Take TV time If you’ll only be gone for the day, consider leaving your television on for the duration of your trip. Most burglars will be reluctant to break into a house if they hear noise coming from it or see the glow of a television screen. If you’re going on a longer trip and are understandably reluctant to leave the TV on for that long, a FakeTV device mimics the flickering light of a TV. You can program these devices to kick in at sundown or remain on during the day. Even the sound of a radio or music playing can provide the illusion that someone is home. Learn the things FBI agents do to protect their own homes.

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