New Trends - creating big challenges
Home ownership is about to enter a new era of design as a result of several
construction trends intended to reflect the ways in which we live, work and
play/ Evolving lifestyles and new long term realities such as energy and
environmental issues will affect the way we use our homes, and the way we
design, build and renovate them. These trends are already noticeable in some
circles, and will eventually lead to widespread changes in the way many of us
address our living spaces in the future.
Renewed respect for Nature
Whenever extreme weather strikes, designers, manufacturers and builders become
more aware of the need for long term durability in our homes. The need is
sometimes enforced through tighter building codes, or more stringent demands by
insurance companies for better construction materials and higher endurance
standards. Meanwhile, as we seek to protect ourselves from nature's extremes,
there is also a need to protect nature from our own extreme behaviour. Environmental
protection is a growing trend that inspires more people every year to take on
new initiatives, wither to save energy costs or to avoid environmental
deterioration caused by excessive waste.
Social and family needs
With the members of the "baby boom" population bulge approaching
their retirement years, there is a greater demand for homes and properties with
lower maintenance requirements and higher accessibility standards. Thanks to
more enlightened planning and renovating, homes can be made accessible for all
ages by including no-step thresholds, wider doorways, wheelchair-friendly sinks
and cabinetry, and main floor bathroom and laundry facilities. Contemporary
lifestyle patterns such as the long-predicted trend of "cocooning"
have already evolved enough to spawn entire industries specializing in home
decor and renovation designed to meet these lifestyles.
Technological Revolution
Rapid technological advances in household operational systems (e.g. security,
comfort control, sprinklers, etc.) and home convenience products (new
generation appliances, etc.) are assisting both the aging population and young
families on the go. When discussing technology, many people think of
entertainment and information advances, but these are only the beginning. The
new multi-functional equipment that has been developed will virtually run all
household systems operations for the homeowner. Physically speaking, home
designs will need to make space to accommodate the new equipment. The
"smart home" management centers connect with equipment within your
home in order to provide automatic intervention of systems such as heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as indoor and outdoor security
systems monitoring.
Adjusting for tomorrow
Perhaps the most significant trend in space planning is thinking ahead to
accommodate technologies and lifestyles that will affect our homes in the
future. It's no longer acceptable for one function to be included without
consideration for another. Just as a traditional carpenter allows for
electrical and plumbing installations, the modern home builder or renovator
will need to plan space for managing future systems. For example, even though
our hot water, heating and air conditioning units are getting smaller and more
efficient, we may soon need extra space for electricity storage units and
back-up battery cells.
So as technology continues to advance, we will also need to adopt new trends
and habits that will help us make better use of our space. Even cherished
garage space could become more coveted in the future. While switching to a
smaller electric or hybrid car may fit with our environmental objectives, we
will eventually have to include a battery charger system alongside it. In fact,
there just may come a time when we dedicate our garages to contribute to energy
production and conservation, rather than energy consumption.
Our home space is becoming increasingly more important to us. As newer building
materials are used, new designs are developed, and new technological innovations
and coordinating systems are installed, our homes will adapt to the new trends
and lifestyles of our population. Of course, a lot of these advances will cost
money. Choosing from the many options will be part of making a carefully
managed real estate decision.