Mobie Ambassador Nick Riley Asks What’s Next for New Homes?
This blog is by Nick Riley, Director at Whittam Cox Architects and MOBIE ambassador. This blog originally appeared on the Whittam Cox website
Opinion: What next for new homes?
In recent years we have seen a huge increase in new homes being delivered. In my opinion some are good, but the majority are less so, particularly in suburban locations. Our planning system and the industry response to ‘new’ homes is evidently rather old fashioned. New homes might be a step closer to our needs of today, but to what extent do they consider the future?
Ultimately, ‘success’ in recent years seem to be focussed on the quantum of homes being built, along with the financial returns associated. Some new residential typologies are emerging, both in design and ownership, but these are still rather few and far between.
Our individual and collective experience of lockdown in the UK has undoubtedly made us think more or differently about ‘home’. Urban, suburban and rural homes all have different dynamics, but some common themes are evident.
Where’s the real value? Design quality of homes, in their appearance and function, will be in residents’ minds more as they are used more intensively. Part of this should be considering the physical spaces in homes and how that is valued. The number of bedrooms shouldn’t be one of the main critical elements which drives valuations of homes. Surely floor area of spaces and homes is a better measure?
Will we work from home more? Our need and ability to work from home effectively has never been challenged like this. I think it seems likely that people will continue to use their homes more to work, what space will be required for this? Broadband connectivity has never been a more critical and essential utility. Not just speed, but stability, capacity and consistency of connection. All homes need excellent connectivity.
Do we need more/better external amenity? Modern homes often lack quality external space for gardens/amenity. Lockdown has brought us closer to nature and perhaps made us reassess how important external spaces are for homes, whether its in a city or in suburbia.
Less vehicles? Cars still dominate the design of homes, arguably too much. Movement will always be important, but roads, drives, parking, garages - are they as important as we think? Less vehicles also means better air, noise and spatial quality which we’ve been able to tangibly appreciate through this. This of course is about habit and behaviours, alongside the hugely important global sustainability agenda.
How do homes impact our minds? The influence our homes have on our mental wellbeing is hugely important. The size and variance of physical spaces, decent windows for quality sun/daylighting and fresh air ventilation are more noticeable and desirable things. Decent views out are also important, into the community, streets and nature. Looking out onto blank walls/fences doesn’t add positive value to our experience of home.
Do we design/deliver sustainable communities? I wonder to what extent we really create buildings or masterplans which properly connect in their place. This is about creating or more specifically curating community and placemaking. How people experience the place where their home is has been given an ultimate challenge recently. Placemaking incorporates so many important aspects of defining our human experience of home.
Looking ahead, I hope that some of these things will be given greater consideration and importance within the Residential sector. Delivering long-term sustainable homes isn’t a numbers game. Sadly, architectural thought and design is often missing from modern homes; both internally and externally. We need to build spaces and places for people to live which, properly reflect modern needs now and in the future.