Now that we've spent more than two months in the confinement of our own four apartment walls, we begin to notice their shortcomings or deficiencies and renovate rooms to make life easier during our quarantine. Previously popular compact real estate designs, instead of enjoying functionality, overwhelm with small space, and the lack of a terrace or balcony in the apartment puts you in a gloomy mood when you can't freely compensate for it with a walk in the neighborhood. With today's opportunities, designers' skills and modern technologies, it's easy to forget that a practical property is not just about luxury and unique design, but a living space that corresponds to the lifestyle demanded by the environment and the global situation.
Multitasking of domestic rooms
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the interior of our apartment has ceased to be a private retreat, but has become the center of daily functioning, concentrating the lives of household members in one limited space. Rooms gained new functions, transforming into places for work, exercise, study and entertainment, i.e. full-sized rooms with flexible use.
It is this ability to adapt the apartment to the required conditions and cleverly use the home space for the various tasks of the occupants that will be very important in understanding future architectural and interior design projects. Load-bearing walls, good acoustic solutions, simple assembly and disassembly of room furnishings, and antibacterial materials that are easy to care for on a daily basis will become a common choice for generated homes of the future.
illustration from Joanna Erbel's book "Beyond Ownership. Toward a successful housing policy"
drawing: Michal Loba
Pandemic vs. design changes: let the outdoors rule!
At a time when you spend all day in a home confinement, you will undoubtedly appreciate the pleasure of communing with nature and taking in fresh air. Balconies, loggias, wide-open windows, as well as terraces and gardens - these architectural elements will certainly determine your choice of future apartment. New architectural designs must take into account the clientele's demand for a private open space, preferably with the possibility of setting up a table and chairs and a cozy arrangement for relaxing evenings with a book or entertaining loved ones.
Pandemic showed that contact with nature is very important to us. Balconies and gardens, which were previously used mainly for weekends and the world, have now gained in importance. Both residents and planners understand this. The presence of nature as an important element of an estate is something that will stay with us even if the most restrictive restrictions pass, comments sociologist Joanna Erbel.
design: 22Architekci
vision: city.studio https://www.miasto.studio/
What about the infrastructure of common space?
Recent months have shown us the importance of the immediate surroundings in which we come to live and do daily essentials, such as grocery shopping. Semi-public areas surrounding residential buildings should be designed in a way that improves the comfort of tenants and provides them with an appropriate standard of movement and access to attractions. Hence, developers' attention to wide sidewalks, interior courtyards and patios, comfortable benches and safe playgrounds are factors that are sure to attract tenants. As much greenery as possible as close to home! No less important is the proximity of stores, service outlets and health facilities, as well as nurseries, schools and kindergartens that children and parents can easily reach.
