What is the transformation of dwelling space after the Covid-19 pandemic? What kind of housing design do customers order? Yolanda Yuste, architect from Barcelona, comments.
To find personal balance
Dwelling space is experiencing a transformation after the Covid-19 pandemic. In a changing and unpredictable world homes need to be, more than ever, a made-to-measure individual space, one that complements our personality and activities in many different ways, a place to find our personal balance.
Clients are not specifically preparing for the next quarantine, but we definitely see that people have spent a significant amount of time reflecting about their homes. People think about their needs in a truly individual way. Thus they are more conscious about their necessities, their habits and priorities. This leads to an increasing number of clients willing to attempt a home refurbishment or to build a new house. They see investing in upgrading their homes as the right thing to do.
Leaving the big city
Clients contact us with a deeper notion of what they want. It is easier for us to engage in an honest discussion about how they live and what is important to them. To the obvious graphic references of design magazines and social media, they relate to valuable personal references and situations. It is not so much about impressing others, but to fulfill their own expectancies. Leaving the big city seems to be an increasingly better option now, people see the advantages and don’t fear the distance so much.
Clients building or buying a new property are willing to pay more for outdoor space and good views. Inside the house, a space office and a place to exercise are among the common trends, together with some extra versatile space available. Communal areas have to work for different simultaneous activities by several family members.
Also, large communal areas need to be complemented by separate private spaces to shout out the surrounding world; doors and acoustic insolation are important.
Home as a key place of life
In the near future we might spend even more time discussing floor plans options that optimize the space to the maximum and meet the clients’ personal needs. A good balance between an open-space and a partitioned layout might become common ground as well. In terms of construction and materials, people might invest more in getting an accurate construction with quality and comfortable finishings. In general, people’s growing appreciation of the home as a key place in their lives, will increase the quality and diversity of the dwelling space. Let’s hope this brings good opportunities in the long-term.
Yolanda Yuste, Ylab Arquitectos, Barcelona