There’s designing a high-performance home, building one — and then there’s living in it.

At ARKATA, we believe that in order to close the gap between as-designed performance and as-built performance, education of the occupant is absolutely critical to the delivery of a high performance and healthy home.

When you buy a new car, or a new appliance, you get an owners manual. So why doesn’t the biggest investment of our lives, our homes, come with one too?

That’s what the Homeowner’s Manual was built for — to bridge that gap. In reality, it’s hard for consultants like us to deliver this kind of resource at the right moment in a project.

And that’s why we’re giving away the entire template for free, so that you, an architect, or a builder, or a developer, or even as a homeowner, can build your own and start closing that gap now.

Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some of our industry peers had to say about the Homeowner’s Manual:

Roger Borland, Director and Architect said:

Well done, Ben. This manual achieves something rare—it moves beyond design and construction to become a genuine guide for homeowners on how to get the most from their home: to live more comfortably, reduce energy use, and grow in self-sufficiency.

As built environment professionals, we can sometimes forget that design and construction are only the beginning. The real value lies in what we leave behind, and how people experience it every day.

This tool focuses on that essential stage—living well.

Jessica Kismet, Technical Manager and Podcast Host said:

I love that Ben went the extra mile to create a document that clearly explains to homeowners some of the most overlooked and misunderstood aspects of a home that impact comfort and energy efficiency.

There are often gaps in the design and build process that can compromise a home’s performance, but this manual achieves exactly what it sets out to do: empower homeowners to “sail” their house, understand the thermal envelope, manage indoor air quality, and protect both the health of the building and its occupants, now and into the future.

Truly a fantastic resource!  

Elsie Wang, Certified Passivhaus Consultant said:

ARKATA’s Homeowner’s Manual is something every home should come with. Given that a house is one of the most significant purchases an individual can make – and one that profoundly influences health and wellbeing – it is essential that homeowners are provided with clear guidance on their home’s thermal performance and how to get the most out of their well-designed home.

The manual is comprehensive yet easy to digest, summarising the key aspects of an energy efficient and healthy home. It also reminds homeowners that a house, like any long-term purchase, needs care, maintenance and engagement. 

The manual is a significant step forward in improving the standard of our homes.

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