The Future of House-Building

INTERVIEW WITH CARLOS MUNAR, FOUNDING PARTNER OF SINERGON ARQUITECTURA

Generations of Spaniards worldwide used to live outdoors, which means a hard test for our homes and the way we live. We spoke with Carlos Munar, our partner at Sinergon Arquitectura, who shares his vision of the latest trends in residential architecture and how these trends are shaping the new housing model. 

How Covid-19 is changing the future of housing? 

We cannot discard the possibility of quarantines in the future, so we must be prepared for a new confinement. We have seen in recent weeks how social distancing measures work and this means spending more time in our homes. 

What will an updated post-Covid house look like? 

You choose a good mattress because you know that you will spend 8 hours a day sleeping on it, something similar happens to our home. Good sound insulation, energy efficiency and home automation will be crucial in our future home. 

What distribution will houses have in the future? 

We can use the same room as an office or bedroom, dining room as a conference room, and living room as a play area for children. Given the lack of space, the versatility of different rooms will be crucial for getting the most out of our homes. 

And what about exterior spaces? 

Having a terrace, garden, pool or even unobstructed views will almost become mandatory requirements for new homes. People will think twice before closing a balcony to gain a few extra meters in living room. 

What will happen to offices and working from home? 

Working from home has picked up another speed. The ideal is to have a space designated specifically for working, but if not, in order to be productive, we can find a space that prevents us from distractions and at the same time does not occupy lots of space. You've mentioned about home automation. 

How can it affect us? 

All smart devices that increase efficiency, assist us and reduce contact will be an ally in the future. It is a technology that has been implemented for few years in high-end homes and that can now make a leap to other types of homes. 

Anything else we should consider? 

The other thing that this pandemic will affect is the way we will think about cities. More green areas and more space between buildings will be more common in the future.