The houses of the future will be different from those of today, also because we will have to cope with rising energy prices, climate change and high costs of living. But we don't lack creativity, and we will have several strings to our bow.
Swedish company Aritcus and that of research Springwise have recently presented a report on the houses of the future, I link it here. The paper looks at several sustainable innovations that could help today's homes withstand the challenges and changes of the next century.
Homes of the future: renewable energy and attractive design
The homes of the future will probably be able to produce much of the energy they need, also thanks to design solutions that make renewable technology less invasive.
Wind turbines such as those of Joe doucet, or the Italians Airon, they look more like an art installation than a source of energy. Different ways of integrating solar panels into home designs will flourish, BIPV systems such as the photovoltaic of Mitrex, or the tiles of invisible solar which adapt to different materials such as stone, brick or wood.
There will also be hydrogen fuel cells to store solar energy, like the ones it is developing today I wash. In the coming years, the improvement of these solutions foreshadows a possible future of self-sufficient houses from an energy point of view.
Energy savings and insulation: I'll have the popcorn
In addition to producing energy, homes of the future will have to reduce energy consumption. Among the proposed solutions are “second skins” insulation for buildings and showers that recirculate water. But the real novelty could come from the search forUniversity of Göttingen, in Germany, which suggests the use of popcorn as an external insulating material, thanks to its water-repellent and fire-retardant properties. What a show.
Resilience and multifunctionality
The homes of the next century will also have to be resistant and ready for anything. Among the proposed solutions we find modular and intelligent kitchens that reduce food waste and recycled porous bricks that improve rainwater drainage.
The Australian insurer suncorp has devised a house concept resistant to the most extreme weather conditions, while Naturewall proposes external green walls that limit noise pollution and create habitats for animals. In short, a resilient future does not have to be sad and bleak.
Homes of the future, in short: the key to everything is innovation
It is clear that the old solutions will no longer be sufficient to address the problems of the houses of the future.
The challenges of climate change are enormous, but this report shows that there are many ways forward and many actors ready to face these new challenges, including companies, designers and universities.
