Google, Amazon, and Apple brought smart technology into our homes. We all quickly adapted to the new ‘space age’ gadgets and think nothing of asking Alexa to turn on the TV or order new toilet rolls. Many of us have doorbells that allow us to see who's there and lights we turn on with a mobile phone. We embraced all this in no time, so it’s not surprising to learn that smart homes are already a thing. With all this technology becoming mainstream, new homes must be built slightly differently to make the best of it. It makes sense for architecture to move with the times.

Why Smart Homes are the Future

Do we need all this technology in our homes? After all, we’ve been turning on lights and opening blinds manually for years without a problem. Won’t we all get lazy and bored if these small tasks are all automated? While it’s not strictly necessary to have a high-tech building, the efficiency that a smart home can offer is impressive. Homes could use less electricity, be more secure and waste less food thanks to smart technology. People could live happily in smaller square footage and mental health issues can be reduced with innovative ideas. Smart homes are also more inclusive, allowing those with physical difficulties to live in buildings that are accessible by all. But to make this all work smoothly, building design must evolve.

Smart Homes Require Connectivity

A smart home cannot work without a robust system that connects all the appliances, sensors and alarms. With a myriad of brands, channels and controls requiring management, a reliable IoT should be built into the new architecture. Allowances for cables and power outlets require consideration as well if automated actuators are to be part of the setup. Homeowners don’t want to retrofit smart technology, they want properly thought-out spaces where controls are hidden and wires cannot be seen. Access to repairs, upgrades and services is essential to future-proof the design.

Let the Light Flood In

Most people are drawn to rooms bathed in natural light. They are a pleasure to spend time in and often lift our mood helping with mental health. But large windows aren’t always ideal if privacy, security and overheating are issues. Smart technology can offer solutions to these problems making glass walls much more attractive. All types of difficulties can be overcome by using clear glazing that changes opaque at the press of a button, or blinds that automatically close in pre-set conditions. Glass ceilings that open and close as the temperature or quality of the air changes can be incorporated into buildings where there are no conventional windows. This means the shape of buildings can be rethought.

Multi-functional Spaces

With everyone wirelessly connected on laptops, phones and tablets, the need for fixed spaces is no longer necessary. Whether it’s at home or the office, areas for working, studying and relaxing are fluid. There’s no need for a dedicated dining room, office or TV room, a space can function as all three depending on the need at the time. Is it better for living spaces to be completely open-plan now? For those occasions when a closed-off area is required, partitioning is the answer. Sliding walls or internal bi-fold doors provide a temporary solution. Open and close these frequently as the

activities inside the home change throughout the day.

If we live in spaces that can change shape with partitioning, do we need so many rooms in a home? Could we be happy in a smaller footprint home?

Greener Buildings

Smart technology should help us to live a greener lifestyle. With heating that changes with the number of occupants in a building to lights that turn off when the room is empty, a reduction in wasted power seems achievable. Refrigerators that alert us to sell-by-dates will stop us from wasting food. It seems prudent to take this further with architecture and incorporate living roofs, renewable-source heating, energy-saving landscaping and electric vehicle charge points with every new build.

Healthier Air

Keeping the occupants of a building healthy and happy is essential. Precise control over the quality of the air helps with this. Sensors that regulate ventilation, humidity and temperature ensure that the environment is comfortable at all times. Controlled air prevents damp issues and can help allergy sufferers. With technology keeping the air and temperature in check, troublesome outside noise is kept at bay as windows remain closed. Buildings can be constructed next to busy streets, and with this smart technology, the occupants remain unaffected.

Home Offices

With the ability to connect seamlessly to colleagues and clients around the world, remote or hybrid working is becoming more commonplace. Most employees like the flexibility this offers, but some don’t have a suitable place to work at home. New homes would benefit from a considered space for

home working. Whether it’s a nook on the landing, a small room downstairs or a cabin in the garden, architects can create the ideal space to work.

Conclusion - Architecture is Getting Smart

When it comes to commerce, the big names have embraced all the best smart building ideas for their headquarters and flagship properties. Sensor-driven controlled air, automated blinds and reactive lighting have been in place for some time. Now the same technology is being built into new homes. Architecture is changing to make it all work together smoothly. To understand new ideas, tools such as BIM, 3D drawings and Sketch-up Models are on hand to bring a project to life. This is helping the advancement of architecture and as technology is always evolving, who knows what future buildings will look like.

Author:  This article was written by Milica Vojnic of Wisetek. Wisetek are global leaders in IT Asset Disposition, Data Destruction, & IT Reuse.