December's Insights

A quick round-up of the latest news from our studio and the industry, tips for sustainable living and more.

This week we chat about:

  1. The last 12 months at Maxa Design We’ve had an amazing year!

  2. Must listen podcasts - Our suggested listening for the month ahead…

  3. Sustainable gift giving - Sustainable gift giving is a thoughtful way to show you care for the environment and promote responsible consumption. See our top tips for considering gift ideas.

Merry Christmas

To our valued clients, as the festive season unfolds, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for your trust and collaboration throughout the year. It has been a pleasure working with you in 2023 and we look forward to continuing on in 2024.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with new opportunities, achievements, and of course, health and happiness.

The last 12 months

We've had an amazing twelve months! We've had the great fortune to work on projects from the inner suburbs of Melbourne, to the outer suburbs of Brisbane. We have been able to expand our team to now have our own in-house Thermal Modeller, conducting some Passivhaus and thermal bridge modelling work. We've been featured in numerous publications, and late in the year we were absolutely thrilled to win the Design Matters National - Design of the Year! This is the 'big gong' for Design Matters National, so to be selected from 180 submissions as the 'best of the best' is an absolute dream come true. A huge thank you to our amazing and passionate team, and of course our brilliant clients.

Podcasts

Mostly about building and design, however we've included one that we think should be on everyone's list:

Sustainable Builders Yak
Get it right with the Undercover Architect
Building With BuildHer
Passive House Podcast
The Imperfects

Sustainable gift giving

Sustainable gift giving is a thoughtful way to show you care for the environment and promote responsible consumption. Our tip would be to consider the three R's when considering your gift ideas - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Here are some other tips for more sustainable gift giving:

Choose Eco-Friendly Gifts

Opt for gifts made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled paper, or organic cotton. Even better, consider nursery vouchers to promote the growing of more plants and trees.

Look for products that are labeled as environmentally friendly or have eco-certifications.

Give Experiences

Instead of physical gifts, consider giving experiences like concert tickets, cooking classes, or a spa day. This reduces the need for material items, and reduces packaging, wrapping and shipping requirements.

Support Local Artisans

Purchase gifts from local artisans and makers to support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with shipping.

Gifts with a Purpose

Choose gifts that have a positive impact, such as items from companies that support social and environmental causes or products that contribute to a sustainable lifestyle.

Upcycled or Vintage Items

Explore second-hand or vintage stores for unique, upcycled gifts. This reduces the demand for new products and gives old items a new life.

Wrapping with Care

Use reusable gift wrap or creative alternatives like scarves, fabric, or even old maps. Avoid traditional wrapping paper, which is often not recyclable.

Remember, the key is to prioritize thoughtful, meaningful gifts over mass-produced items. Sustainable gift giving is not only good for the planet but can also foster a deeper connection between the giver and the recipient.