Ways the COVID-19 Pandemic Change Home Design
The COVID-19 epidemic has forced us all to rethink the way we live in the future. According to https://www.tycoonstory.com, new ideas are emerging from new concepts like lightweight, temporary architecture involving homes and offices, and social distancing public park design. The way private residences can meet the needs of this new, unforeseen age is under scrutiny as people find themselves more tightly confined to their homes. Many people think that this new dependence on the house will last long after the pandemic passes. As homes become more integral to our daily living, they will need to adapt to more services and activities. In this article, we have compiled a list of how the pandemic changes home design.
New Interest in Flexible Layouts
Our emotional and physical attachment to our homes has never been stronger, and this may persist and even intensify after this pandemic subsides. In this case, homes need to offer more amenities and functions. Spaces should be established for specific activities such as reading, napping, and physical activity.
More flexibility and adaptability will be needed to accommodate a wider variety of activities. Designers are already exploring this possibility. One such designer is Australian architecture firm Woods Bagot, whose AD-APT system uses adjustable walls and screens to transform an open floor plan into different spaces.
The Universal Need for Private Outdoor Space
The pandemic has heightened our awareness of the beauty and wonder of nature. A simple walk in the park or a short break are great ways to relax. When closed, these activities may not be safe and not always accessible. The demand for private outdoor spaces in every home is bound to increase. Architects must find ways to incorporate outdoor space into even the smallest homes. These include micro courtyards, rooftop gardens, verandas, balconies, and porches. Folding glass doors can be used to connect living spaces with the outdoors.
New Forms of Home Office
More and more people are working from home, and many dining tables can be used as home offices. These “offices” are not equipped with all the amenities needed to allow for productive work hours. However, many people appreciate the flexibility of working from home, so much so that Barclays CEO Jess Staley predicts that remote work could become the new norm.
Functional private offices will become an integral part of the home if it becomes a reality. Some even have ideas on how to integrate home offices into private outdoor spaces. Brazilian architect Igor Leal’s “Buried Studio” concept envisions a workspace integrated into the front yard of a home, giving the feeling of going outside to work.
Disinfected Entryways
After restrictions were lifted in China, customers entering a Shanghai restaurant are sprayed by a disinfecting machine. The same concept could be applied to residential buildings. For safety and cleanliness reasons, entrance areas can become marked transition areas. This way, people can take off their shoes, put on their jackets and wash their hands before entering.
Smart Kitchen Designs
As people are increasingly inclined to live at home, the importance of having a kitchen in the home has also increased. Epiphany points out that pantries are becoming more important because people are buying less. Because of this shift toward a “hands-off” mentality, smart kitchen design will become increasingly important. Epiphany says this will lead to more voice-controlled technology in the kitchen, such as controlling lights and faucets.
Air Purification Systems
The COVID-19 outbreak has made air quality a key issue. People can pay more attention to the air quality in their homes and limit the amount of outside air that enters. Air purification systems that treat outside air to provide fresh air to buildings may become more widely used. These systems can be combined with the usual air conditioning system to improve the health of homes.
