LC Home Economics Elective – Home Design and Management
1.1 Housing
Q1. Write a brief account of the historical development of housing styles in Ireland from the
nineteenth century onwards
Q2. Elaborate on the social/cultural, economic and environmental factors which influence choice of
housing styles
Q3. Outline the housing requirements for a) a family b) a single person and c) a retired elderly
person with mobility difficulties and a e) a homeless person
Q4. Housing in Ireland has undergone many changes in recent years:
Private housing
81%
Breakdown of the housing sector in Ireland - 2000
Local Authority housing
Voluntary & Co-operative Private rented sector
housing
9%
1%
9%
Using the information provided above, discuss the provision of housing in Ireland in 2000 and
comment on the adequacy of housing provision in each sector mentioned
Q5 Write an account of the housing regulations in relation to rented accommodation
Q6 Give an account of the comparative costs of buying a place to live and renting accommodation
Q7 Ireland has one of the highest rates of home ownership in Europe – the illustration below shows
the new house types built in Ireland in 2002
Bungalow
15.5%
New House Types (whole country) 2002
Detached
Semi- detached
Terraced
23%
32.5%
8.7%
(i)
Flat/Apartment
20.3%
Analyse the factors that have contributed to the distribution of new house types as
shown in the pie chart above
(ii)
Outline the a) social b) the cultural and c) the environmental factors that influence the
choice of housing styles
Q8 Comment on the adequacy of housing provision in Ireland to meet the variation in housing needs
Q9 Differentiate between Local Authority Housing and Co-Operative Housing
Q10 Write an account of voluntary housing associations including two financial assistance schemes
available to them
Q11 Evaluate the importance of local amenities and services in housing developments
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1.2. Home Building and Design
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Enumerate the factors that influence the choice of location and the choice of house style
Explain the difference between outlying planning permission and full planning permission
Describe the procedure involved in obtaining planning permission to build a house
What do you understand by the term bye-law approval
Give a brief account of four professional services available to assist in the design and building
of a house
6. Discuss how aesthetic and environmental factors influence the design of modern housing
7. Explain the importance of ergonomics and energy efficiency when designing a house
8. Enumerate two technological developments that improved the design of modern day housing
9. Explain how house-building standards are regulated. Refer to at least two different methods
10. Give an account of the BER cert
1.3. Designing the House Interior
1. Give an account of the factors that should be considered when planning the interior design of
the home
2. Which guidelines should be considered when planning a colour scheme?
3. Explain using examples how colour may be used to visually alter the proportions of a room
4. What guidelines should be followed when using A) pattern and B) texture in home decorating
5. Explain why it is important to apply the design principles of balance, emphasis, proportion and
rhythm to interior décor
6. Hoe do a) aesthetics b) ergonomics and c) family size and circumstance influence home
design?
7. Design and sketch the layout of any one room in the home. In relation to the room describe
each of the following a) the colour scheme b) the lighting c) the flooring d) the wall covering
e) the heating system and f) the ventilation system in this room. Explain how any two
principles of design have been applied when designing the layout of the room
8. What factors should be considered when choosing a) flooring and b) wall finish for a family
living room
9. Describe two different wall finishes suitable for use in the house interior and state four
properties of each finish
10. Describe two different floor finishes suitable for use in the house interior and state four
properties of each finish
11. Describe one hard flooring and one semi-hard flooring that you would recommend for use in
the home. In each case refer to a) type of flooring b) properties and c) uses
12. Write an account of wallpaper under the headings a) types available b) properties and c) uses
13. Enumerate the points that should be considered when choosing furniture in the home
14. Which factors should be considered when choosing household curtains?
15. List four desirable properties and four functions of curtains
16. Name two fabrics suitable for use in curtains and give reasons for your choice
17. Write an account of household glass under the headings a) types b) uses and c) properties
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18. Name the two main types of plastic used in the home. In relation to each list a) its uses and
b) its properties
1.4. The Energy-Efficient Home
1. Give details of two types of renewable energy that you would recommend when building a new
house – refer to a) source b) sustainability and c) efficiency and effectiveness
2. Enumerate the harmful emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels in the home and give
an account of the effects of such emissions on the environment
3. Describe three different methods of reducing harmful emissions in the environment
4. Write an account of global warming under the headings a) causes and b) effects
5. State the causes and effects of acid rain
6. Give details of the potential energy inefficiencies in the home
7. Suggest strategies to improve energy-efficiency and reduce emissions in the home
8. State the advantages of using renewable energy sources
1.5. Systems and Services to the Home
Electricity
1. Describe the structure of the ‘Ring circuit’
2. Explain why circuits often require fuses with different ampere ratings
3. Identify three potential inefficient uses of electricity in the home and outline the
improvement strategy that you would recommend in each case
4. Explain the following electrical terms: a) voltage b) wattage c) amperage d) kilowatt-hour
5. Explain how household electricity is costed
6. Explain the function of the following devices: a) fuses b) circuit-breakers (MCB’s) c) earth
wire d) double insulation e) conductors
7. Outline a set of rules for electrical safety in the home
8. Give two examples of renewable energy sources used to generate electricity in Ireland.
State why renewable energy should be the preferred option for use
9. What is a ‘SMART’ home
Water
1. Explain how water is purified at the treatment plant
2. Describe with the aid of a labelled diagram the domestic cold-water supply
3. Differentiate between temporary and permanent hardness in water and explain how each can
be removed
4. Outline the effects of hard water
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Heating
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Write an account of the factors to consider when choosing a heating system
Explain with the aid of a diagram the working principle of a thermostat
Give examples of the use of thermostats in the home
Identify the heating options available for the modern home
Describe with the aid of a labelled diagram one system of central heating suitable for a
family home. Include reference to a) fuel/energy source b) heating principle and c)
efficiency and convenience
6. Discuss levels of thermal comfort in relation to two rooms in the home.
Insulation
1. Explain the underlying principle of insulation and state its advantages
2. Suggest five procedures that could be carried out in a family home to reduce heat loss
3. Explain the underlying principle involved in double glazing as a method of reducing heat loss
through windows
Ventilation
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain the underlying principle of ventilation and state the importance of good ventilation
List the effects of poor ventilation
Explain how natural ventilation is provided in a modern house
Write an account of the effects of condensation and state how it can be controlled within the
home
5. Write an account of one method of artificial ventilation under the headings a) construction
and b) working principle
Lighting
1. Explain why an efficient lighting system is an important consideration in house design
2. Discuss ways of maximising the level of natural lighting in a house
3. Explain with the aid of diagrams the working principle of a) a tungsten bulb b) a fluorescent
bulb c) a CFL bulb
4. Write an account of energy efficient lighting within the home (underlying principles and uses)
5. Write an account of the properties of light and how these properties are applied in the home
6. Enumerate the factors that should be considered when planning a lighting system in the home
7. Identify two types of contemporary lighting and in each case evaluate its use in interior
design
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