Looks good, tastes great, but there's more

We recently cleared out some large palm-type big-leaf fern bush things from underneath our lemon tree.

It looks really tidy.

But there's way more green waste to get rid of than our council wheelie bin can handle.

And the newly uncovered ground will no doubt be soon filled with weeds enjoying their new exposure to sunlight.

So was it really worth the two hours of sweat?

Undoubtably, because we can now get to the lemon tree, and have a washing basket full of lemons to eat, share, and turn into lemon curd.

What is the metaphorical ground cover in the property system that's stopping us from getting to fully harvest the good fruit? It's definitely there, because no system is perfect.

It probably looks really good. It's probably really useful in many ways, It probably doesn't require too much effort to keep doing, or to create.

It's probably all these things. And it's is probably overgrown.

Do we need to think about our rush to convert rural/urban fringe land into sprawling subdivisions? Do these commuter villages get in the way of true community grounded in connection between people?

Should we take a step back and get some perspective on continuing to build new homes to (arguably deficient) minimum standards? The building consent numbers look good, the houses look nice, they're simple and profitable to build, but have we limited the industry and scope of what truly good housing means?

The weeds in the system look good. They're even doing a good job! But if they aren't truly good because there's something better, and if they keep us from moving towards a greater future, they need to get cut back and binned.

Design delivers purpose, for good or otherwise

I'm a fan of good design. Of all kinds.

Interior design. Landscape design. Urban design. Architecture. Graphic design.

Design is creation with intent and purpose.

What is created embodies the purpose of the designer, and effects the environment around it accordingly.

Where we live affects how we live.

• If we have a six foot fence, we're less likely to get to know our neighbours. Because we're less likely to see them.
• If we have a 300 square meter house, we're more likely to buy more stuff. Because we have the space.
• If we have a double garage, we're more likely to have two cars. And probably even more likely to keep more junk.
• If we live close to work, we're more likely to walk or bike.

And we haven't even thought about how the inside of our house is designed and laid out, and how that affects the way we live together.

Design matters. Because it changes us.

What is the purpose behind your house?

Most of the houses being built seem to be built to-spec, not built for people. The purpose lies somewhere between making money for the developer, and looking appealing to the market, which really means the same thing.

The purpose isn't to build a home that is good for the people who will live there. It's to build a home that looks like what people want, so we can sell it at a good price.

Build a Good Home vs Get a Good Price

While we might strive for both, I suspect the latter is the priority for most people in the business of designing our new subdivisions.