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As of now, most of us have spent more than 2 months quarantined inside of our homes. As things continue, you might wonder if your home is constructed the right way for quarantine life, or if some features could use improving. Maybe that open-concept layout you desired so much is no longer ideal for you and your partner while working from home.
As coronavirus keeps on instigating extraordinary worldwide changes, it's getting harder to predict the degree to which it will reshape society. Be that as it may, on an increasingly smaller scale, our homes—the spots we've been intently examining these past few months—may be ready for change. Ahead, discover the primary changes architects are expecting to affect the next wave of homes.
Entryways and mudrooms will take center stage
New construction will define increasing limits between outdoors and indoors. Places like mudrooms and entryways will not only become areas designated to place items to decontaminate, they will also create a mental border from the outside world before we settle into our living spaces.
More surfaces will be antimicrobial
Coronavirus has brought cleanliness to the forefront, making architects believe more antimicrobial materials will be used by builders in the construction of new homes and buildings. Such materials could be copper and krion, which is a material that resembles natural stone, and can be applied to kitchen counter tops and bathrooms. Another material is Richlite, which is a paper-based composite that's naturally antimicrobial and doesn't allow moisture to absorb easily. This material could be used in building facades, wall panels, counter tops, and possibly furniture. Richlite is extremely durable and can be used as a substitute to stone and metal.
Open-concept floor plans will fall off the radar
In recent years, open concept floor plans where walls and doors are taken away have reigned supreme. Home buyers prefer the open space allowing a home to feel larger and airier. Now, with more and more people working from home, as well as homeschooling, there may be a need for more defined areas.
Kitchens will be more important than ever
With the closure of restaurants, people are cooking more meals at home. Arguably the most important room in the home, as it stands, kitchens will become even more of a focal point with future home buyers. Look for these spaces to not only be large enough to cook and socialize in but also include premium refrigerators and ovens.
Homes will be “healthier”
After we rebound from Coronavirus, homeowners may become more interested in wellness technology. Some functions of these technologies might include being able to track air, water, and light quality throughout the day. "Smart" homes will be able to detect air quality and adjust as needed by filtering the air.
It's difficult to say what, if any, impact the coronavirus will actually have on the construction process, but we've found ourselves in a situation that none of us have ever really experienced in our lifetimes. We've been bottled up inside, and it's pretty much a guarantee that we'll come out of this pandemic with some new ideas, perspectives, and concerns related to the way we live at home. To see more from the architects, check out the full list Here.
