Building a home in a bushfire-prone area can feel overwhelming, especially when terms like BAL ratings and ember-resistant construction come into play. But protecting your home doesn’t mean sacrificing lifestyle or design. Understanding your site’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) early in the process allows you to make smart design decisions that enhance safety without compromising comfort or aesthetics. From spotting small vulnerability points to choosing the right materials, thoughtful planning can create a resilient home that fits beautifully with its environment. Whether you’re on the urban fringe or a semi-rural block, knowing how bushfire risk affects your build is the first step toward a safer, smarter home.

What if a smaller, simpler home isn’t a compromise — but a correction? In a housing system built on excess, “enoughness” offers a quiet, powerful alternative. This piece explores how policy, culture, and design have inflated our expectations — and why building less might be the most radical thing we can do.