The future of home infrastructure
Dominic recently featured in Birmingham World on this topic – take a look at the full article here.
From an architectural perspective, I see our future homes being far more adaptable than the current dwellings in which the majority of us live. Homes will offer a higher level of flexibility in order to move and change alongside the lives of those who are living within. The needs of the homeowners are constantly changing – I lead a different life now than the one I lead in my 20s. Structures will allow for internal layouts to be able to evolve with their inhabitants – allowing more control over the spaces and how they are used.
A home that can adapt to you increases its usefulness and longevity. Need another bedroom? Just move the walls around. Want a study? Just take some space off the lounge! The homeowner of the future will be able to have a far more creative and interactive relationship with their homes. Our personalities will be reflected better in our homes than ever before.
Future homes should be cheaper to heat and power, taking a “fabric first” approach. Get under the skin of your home and you should find a structure that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in our ever-hotter summers. Passivhaus methods of construction, which use high levels of insulation and air tightness, should be mandatory so that they create healthier homes for us to live in. Homes will be far more than just walls and a roof; they will be smart and connected machines, using AI to adapt to their inhabitants.
Homes that are designed to create a sense of community will be key to this. We have seen many new build developments with the same infrastructures used. Many are a design away from any form of actual infrastructure, and at times can isolate the people living within. Our homes of the future will be arranged in ways that encourage interaction with other people. People’s well-being should be at the forefront of any architect’s thinking. Our future homes, and infrastructures, will be machines for living; living a healthier, happier and more connected life.
