Build it myself
I enjoy making things, & our budget dictated max economy

Be as sustainable & energy-neutral as possible
Adapt and reuse, limit construction waste, prefer functional materials with a low carbon footprint

Select materials for their cost to performance ratio
Repurpose effective construction materials and diversify their function. Limit weight of elements so they can be hefted by a single person

Detailed to be fault tolerant as a safety net for my craftsmanship
Large shadow joints, robust detailing, overt fixings

Improve thermal performance
Passive-solar design, rationalise glazing, insulate as much as possible, minimise thermal bridging

Control glare
Use internal and external surfaces to diffuse and bounce sunlight into the interior (paradoxically this improves glare)

Use extensions & pavilions to subdivide the garden into sheltered pockets
Improve access to the garden, and create areas protected from swirling winds

Low Maintenance
Encourage wear patterns and weathering-patinas

Ornament is Crime
(I’m with Adolf Loos). Junctions and surfaces should express their function with minimal fuss. Applied decoration is not sustainable.