As we move through 2024 and look ahead, it's important to consider the future of the home in design. Sustainability, and considering the planet first in any kind of building work is already important for meeting changing regulations, but also for potential buyers.
Increasingly, people are aware of the impact that their homes have on the planet, and especially with recent spikes in energy costs, there is growing demand for energy efficient homes that also meet the changing needs and demands of the population.
But what does that mean for new developments? And how can you facilitate being more sustainable at home? We've pulled together our predictions for the home of the future, so that you can stay ahead of the curve and build beautiful homes without compromising on energy efficiency.
What is the house of the future?
It's no secret that the way that we exist within our homes has changed considerably over the last few decades. From the rise in demand for larger, open plan kitchen-dining rooms, to the more recent demand for high-tech home offices, it's important that where we live changes with us.
As we saw with the pandemic, it is incredibly difficult to predict how lifestyles might change in the future, but the importance of being more sustainable, and making more sustainable choices will no doubt take centre-stage as we, and future generations, navigate the next few decades.
As the population size grows, so too does demand for housing. With this in mind, homes are becoming smaller in the UK, for many reasons. Some of this is undoubtedly due to a lack of land available, but it is also linked with the preferences of the population. Smaller homes are generally more energy efficient, and require less maintenance, and as our society adapts to more households with two working parents than ever before, demand for compact, apartment style housing will only grow.
With this in mind, at Zip, we see several areas of real importance for house building that must be considered when designing and creating new homes.
Building with sustainable materials
When building a new home, there are many decisions to be made. Increasingly, designers and architects are specifying materials that last longer, are more energy efficient, and feel timeless. That is to say, the trend is to move away from trendy, short-lived fads, and focus on design that will be in style for as long as possible.
Materials that are renewable, more environmentally friendly, and stand the test of time – like high quality reclaimed wood and natural stone, are already used widely, and this will continue to be the case as we move into the future.
Meeting regulations
An area that can make or break a project, is regulations. Meeting them is vital in any house build, to save time in the long run, provide a safe home for your buyers, and avoid any issues later on. At Zip, we're very familiar with the regulations around water safety, and have first-hand experience of understanding WRAS regulations. We recently published a blog explaining WRAS in more detail, and how we can help in your building project to save time, and money.
More widely, the 2025 Future Homes Standard will come into force next year, ensuring that new homes produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes built under the current regulations. It's important to keep abreast of any new regulations as they are passed into law, and prepare early to avoid any lost time on future projects.
Keeping up with futuristic technology
With so many advances in technology, it can be hard to keep up. From smart homes, to futuristic security systems, factoring this into any build is a challenge. Our advice is to try to make choices that will stand the test of time – no easy feat!
A good way to start is to think about what people will always need from a home. Room to enjoy hobbies and spend time with family, a comforting bedroom that oozes calm, and a space that can grow and change with them through life.
Here at Zip, we're especially knowledgeable, and excited, by the future of kitchen designs, and especially in how technology can make life easier, and save people time. Our range of HydroTaps provide filtered chilled, boiling, and sparkling water, instantly, for the ultimate luxury and convenience in kitchen appliances, and the home.
Not only that, but they are available in a range of stylish finishes to match any interior aesthetic. For example, our bestselling brushed gold HydroTap is a beautiful statement in a modern kitchen. Our aim is to create the most advanced, luxury all-in-one taps, that will last, and last. They are also designed to be more energy efficient than a kettle, and limit water wastage.
As we mentioned, energy efficient homes are increasingly more desirable, and therefore, incorporating technology that reduces energy consumption will help future-proof homes, and help them achieve a higher sales value at the same time.
Making it easier to be more sustainable at home
Sustainable home design is not just about using materials that benefit the environment, or designing a modern concept that looks great on paper. It's also about providing the tools for people to save energy, and enjoy living in their house. Designing kitchens with large (energy efficient) windows to capture natural light benefits both those living in the house, and the earth, as it saves on unnecessary energy use.
It's also something we are passionate about at Zip. We may design and create beautiful, futuristic taps, with a plethora of energy saving features, but our aim is to make life easier for our users, and encourage more sustainable living.
Incorporating sustainable design
Considering what the homes of the future may look like, it can be hard to predict. With so many factors, the possibilities are endless. However, keeping those who will be making the house a home at the centre of any plans will always be essential. Imagining how a space will be truly lived in, and being led by the end user will ensure that a house ticks all the right boxes, both now and in the future.