One of the many reasons why some people prefer houses to apartments is that they are afraid of heights. They don’t want to be stuck in a high place when something happens. Instead, they want easy access to an escape route and a place to live that is convenient.
Having said that, let us explore three current trends in the home building industry.
Structural Safety
The Burj Khalifa in the Emirate of Dubai is the tallest structure in the world. Standing close to 830 meters in height, it towers over all other buildings in the city, its mere presence a symbol of opulence and technological development in architecture and design. It is truly a sight to behold for those of us who have never been there, a reminder of indeed how much human beings have advanced over the ages.
Still, one is left to wonder. What would happen if the Burj were to be hit by a devastating sandstorm? What if, for some reason, this tectonically-stable country were to suffer the effects of an earthquake? Would the building collapse, crumbling into ashes? Or would it survive and continue standing proud?
Of course, there are no clear-cut answers to these questions. It all depends on how strong the natural disaster is. Yet, it is a stark reminder of the importance of structural safety. If you live in a high-rise condominium or even a multi-story house, wouldn’t you sleep better at night if you knew that you were safe?
Thankfully, technology and human imagination continue to provide us the tools to build better homes. An example is the use of engineering polymer resins and additives for adhesives, bonding, and purpose-built materials resistant to temperature changes and exterior conditions.
Sustainability and Environmental Protection
In the last decade or so, the world has experienced drastic environmental changes. The average global temperature continues to increase, and we have fewer and fewer natural resources. Air and water pollution have caused irreparable damage in forests, jungles, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and other natural areas.
Luckily, we live at a time when people are far more educated about their surroundings than ever. As such, environmental awareness is a topic currently in everyone’s mouths, including governments, private institutions, and citizens themselves.
In the housing real estate industry, this represents a shift in old practices about building materials and construction methodologies. Nowadays, it is no longer enough for companies to build beautiful houses and apartments. They also need to consider sustainability and the effects their glass and concrete structures have on the earth.
But what is a sustainable home? First, it is a house or apartment that uses as few non-renewable sources as possible. Instead of lights, stoves, and refrigerators powers by traditional sources of energy such as coal, they use hydroelectric power or solar panels.
Second, sustainability in housing is about finding a harmonious balance with nearby ecosystems. If your house is located in the countryside, it doesn’t influence the fauna and flora.
Smart Homes
If you have ever been to the city of Phoenix, Arizona, during the summer, you understand what the word hot means. With temperatures rising above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, most of us would rather be in many other places in the world.
But let us imagine you are in Phoenix, and for some reason, you go for a jog. Once the workout is done, you are exhausted, and your body and clothes are drenched in sweat, you decide to go back home. As soon as you open the door, you are welcome by the heavenly feeling of an air conditioner. Wouldn’t that make your day?
If you live alone and you want this to happen, you have two choices. One is to turn on the AC before you leave the house. Two is switching it on remotely using your phone or IoT exercise device. The latter is cheaper and safer as you have full control over everything that is happening.
This is only one example. There are plenty of others. With 5G technologies that allow for hyper-connectivity, soon you will be able to manage not only your air conditioning but also your lights, your TV, your garage, and everything else you have in your house. You will also be able to make your home safer, both from accidents and unwanted intrusions.
We have seen three trends in the home building industry. They are structural safety, sustainability and environmental protection, and smart homes. As technology continues to develop, our houses are becoming safer, better for our planet, and more intelligent.
The future of the real estate industry looks more promising than ever before.
