Remote work has been put to the test due to the Covid-19 pandemic , and in many cases the results have been positive. Many people no longer have to commute daily to jobs that can be mostly done from home. Others have been able to become self-employed and work entirely remotely, with access to jobs from anywhere in the world. But this has revealed a design flaw that houses have had for decades: they are designed for sleeping and eating, not for living in.
A host of changes in home design following the pandemic are becoming standard features of new housing. The model homes builders are showcasing today are designed for working, living, and learning. They are multipurpose, designed to accommodate various activities rather than simply being seen as one large bedroom.
The new houses think about remote work and Virtual Reality
The total area of these new homes is getting larger. Builders are adding more small rooms , which can function as home offices, playrooms, home gyms, or relaxation rooms, depending on the homeowner's needs. Bathrooms are also getting bigger because we use them more often when we're home all day. And every room has more power outlets and USB ports on the wall for connecting phones and tablets for working from home.
In general, it is expected that with more space and more small rooms, homeowners can adapt their homes to their work or leisure needs. Based on the results of an America at Home study, Garman Homes built a 241-square-meter concept house called " Barnaby ." This model reflects what consumers want, with more access to outdoor spaces and room for exercise.
The “Barnaby” has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. It is designed for a hypothetical older millennial family with two working parents, one of whom works from home. It includes separate entrances for the owner and guests, two dedicated office spaces, flexible spaces, a guest suite with outdoor access, a larger family bathroom, multiple covered outdoor spaces, enhanced kitchen functionality, flexible storage and package delivery areas.
Home builders say new houses are increasingly resembling office spaces . They have more rooms that can be converted into small private areas. But they are still homes where residents can do more than just eat and sleep.
The housing construction sector expects home sizes to continue increasing due to changing preferences, as more activities are taking place at home in the post-pandemic environment . They make particular mention of " metaverse rooms ," which are interior spaces that can be dedicated to virtual reality devices.
Your big problem is going to be the price. Bigger houses are inevitably more expensive, and high interest rates will only make it even harder to afford a mortgage.
Source: Axios