Uplifting residential design in the Pandemic

Ar. Sumit Dhawan, Founder & Principal Architect at Cityspace' 82 Architects. How has the pandemic influenced residential designs? The fate of single homes and multigenerational residences has changed due to the COVID-19 pand

BY Realty Plus
Published - Saturday, 26 Jun, 2021

Uplifting residential design in the Pandemic

Ar. Sumit Dhawan, Founder & Principal Architect at Cityspace' 82 Architects. How has the pandemic influenced residential designs? The fate of single homes and multigenerational residences has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This unique situation the world has been thrust into has led to some major reconsiderations in terms of lifestyle and basic habitual changes for a common man. Public spaces like parks, restaurants, and movie theaters have adapted to the new normal while incorporating safety and sanitary measures. It is high time that such a shift is observed in the residential sector as well. It is especially relevant in India as the area per person, per square feet, is fairly limited here. Therefore, smart utilization of space needs to be addressed in the current times. The changing relationship of occupant and the built space The connections we have with our residences have grown stronger over the course of the year 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. Such a mental-physical relationship between our homes and minds will persist well after the pandemic has subsided. Therefore, it is necessary that the layouts of one’s abode are adaptable. At the same time, certain areas of the house need to be designated for specific activities like working, studying, eating, and sleeping. The current situation demands a fine balance between multi-purpose spaces and rooms with fixed function. Else, the process may hamper the work-life and personal life if this balance is disrupted. For instance, working from the bed is a faux-pas. The lines between office life and home life can be blurred, leading to faster burnout. What are the new transformations evident? The buildings of the future need to be independent and self-sufficient. Each apartment or house must have its own water and heating plan in place in case the city’s power grid fails. A lot of people are looking into renewable sources of energy like solar power in order to cut down on electricity bills while opting for eco-friendly solutions. A safety net needs to be created. Solid fuel boilers, stoves, and batteries shall be kept as an emergency option in case of power failures amidst this global crisis. The reliance on the homes will persist even after the pandemic will be over. We need to accept the new reality and adapt to measures that will ensure greater freedom and mobility in our homes to accommodate a variety of activities in life.