Technology in Design: Homes of the Future

Humans are, by nature, adaptable. As we grow and change as a species, we also change the world around us to better suit our needs. Our ancestors lived in huts or cabins made of wood, now we live in vast buildings, constructed to our specifications with climate-controlled interiors and machines that do our work for us such as washers and dryers. As technology continues to grow and change, so does our living accommodations, as new technologies are created every day that allow our homes to become more and more advanced.

Entertainment

In the past, the invention of the book revolutionized entertainment around the world. Television and its invention was the next massive wave that took humanity by storm. Soon after, with the widespread use of the internet, entertainment took on a whole new form, with streaming services and other platforms bringing the entertainment right into your home more easily than ever before. In the future, entertainment technology could go even further. Television is quickly being replaced by computers which host streaming services, and phenomena such as the Netflix hit “Bandersnatch” indicate that interactive media may be the future of entertainment. The dynamic take on classic television opens a world of possibilities that turn every episode into a branching and changing story for each individual user.

Design

Homes and their layouts have also changed greatly over the years. In the future, what may have been commonplace will no longer be seen as modern or acceptable. New, more compact technologies allow for open space to take precedence in the homes of the future, using space as a design tool to help a home feel bigger or more spacious. We already see traces of this in today’s architecture, with modern buildings featuring a more minimalistic and open feel than the more classically designed buildings of yesteryear.

Energy

Another major part of building that is evolving over time is the usage of more energy efficient technology. When renovating old homes, one of the most common changes homeowners make is rewiring the entire house to be more efficient and effective at delivering power to all parts of the house. Outdated methods of wiring could result in higher energy bills and wasted power. In the future, wiring will become more efficient and effective, much as it has been over the past five to ten years. The increased efficiency will allow for greener homes which will improve the environment, as well as allow homeowners to get the most out of their electricity bill.

While the homes of the future may be a mystery to us now, by analyzing the changes we see in design and technology now, we can predict how they will become intertwined in the future, merging the sciences of living with the advancing technology to create the optimal and most efficient experience for everyone. The future looks brighter and brighter every day, with each year introducing newer and more astounding technological advances that make the lives of every human better, whether it be space exploration or just the shows you watch on Netflix.