Homes of the future

Our houses have evolved significantly over the last century. If you have members of your household who are in their eighties or nineties they will tell you of a time when flats were unheard of.

Yet, today, flats are the norm and only a privileged few can live in houses in urban areas. Not only are flats the rule rather than the exception they are shooting upwards, higher and higher. So, what will homes of the future be like? Take a deep breath and be prepared for what looks like sci-fi. Climate change, geopolitical shifts and of course population growth are changing the way futurists envision residential spaces.

Victor Vetterlein a New York architect opines that the “only path forward is to harness solar, wind and water for power and to use the power of computers to design, build, and maintain homes.”

While the artist’s concepts of these musings are a little “far-fetched,” we have to admit that solar power, wind power, waterpower, and computers are already very much a part of architecture and new home design.

Vetterlein conceived of a sustainable, eco-friendly home which he named “Reboot.” Yes, the idea when visualized in 3D looks like it came straight of Apple Computer’s Design room. The Reboot is smooth and curvy on the outside with an elliptical glass elevator all of which is encircled by a glass stairway.

The handrails of the stairway are also made of glass. Its floors are high-gloss and the best part of the design is that the floor plan is changeable. Can you imagine living in a home where, when you get bored, you don’t just rearrange the furniture you rearrange the rooms! Wind turbines will supply the home’s power thereby eliminating the need for fossil fuels.

If you think all this looks and sounds too ‘futuristic,’ to be probable, think again. Vetterlein says that most of the technology that would indeed make it doable already exists. Some designs which appear futuristic are more functional, for example a Hong Kong company has come out a totally Tornado proof home; thus it is not all about aesthetics or sustainability. Though, if you’re thinking of putting off your next move and waiting for these sci-fi homes, you may have a long-long wait!