Refuge of domestic sanctuary
Housing market woes and modernizing bathrooms: a round table discussion from London
Inquire about the pressing issues and their part in the latest bathroom design trends, and you'll find that that's precisely the conversation that took place at a gathering in London hosted by Architecture Today and VitrA. The event, attended by panelists from various backgrounds within the housing industry, tackled issues including shifting needs, affordability, and sustainability that shape today's housing market and the way we envision contemporary bathrooms.
Determining tomorrow's needs
Isabel Allen, the editor of Architecture Today, acted as the chairs of the round table and encouraged the participants to discuss the different visions, perceptions, and roles of house buyers in considering their future needs. Nimi Attanayake of nimtim architects described a game her firm developed to see how clients live now, and extrapolate how they might want to live in the future. The aim is to demonstrate that it's not just about physical space, but how it fits one's lifestyle.
Roger Black, the creative director for Ballymore, focused largely on the new-build housing sector. He mentioned that focusing on social interaction is vital for his company, stressing that a lofty score on social outcomes would automatically translate to commercial success. In terms of evolving priorities among house buyers, he felt that while value and quality are high on the list, sustainability still occupies a second-tier position, due to the expectation that builders will manage this aspect. However, renters tend to show a greater awareness of such matters.
Engaging with the community
Attanayake pointed out the importance of community engagement for fostering successful housing developments, whether in new areas or existing ones. Black showed some skepticism towards this aspect, expressing the belief that developers may still brush off community engagement as unnecessary, although he expected that viewpoint to change. Sharkey, on the other hand, emphasized the improvements community engagement has had on his company's projects, particularly in the planning process.
Sharan Elliott of Ademchic spoke about the inconsistency between marketing and design in respect to communicating the unique aspects of the property, architecture, and services provided. Elliott and her team aim to streamline everything from building optimization to digital marketing campaigns, fostering a united, straightforward message that potential tenants can grasp easily.
Revitalizing the bathroom
Switching gears to bathroom trends, Ruth Davies of VitrA said that they are attempting to create bathrooms that encourage longer use and enjoyment. Additionally, they focus on offering solutions that cater to long-term needs without sacrificing initial appeal. David Richards concurred, saying that the company is introducing more long-lasting products to the market for broader age demographics while maintaining high functionality.
Cost vs. sustainability
Christian Ducker noted that while many residents focus on their immediate needs, they can often be coaxed to think about the future. Ducker and Attanayake agreed that retrofitting existing properties should be considered instead of continuous expansion, which tends to be wasteful in resources and finances.
Demian Erbar highlighted the importance of designing domestic spaces with adaptability in mind, echoing Ducker's and Attanayake's thoughts. He also warned against overdesigning projects that may limit future adaptability.
Green initiatives
Regarding sustainability, Ducker asserted that though many clients express eco-conscious sentiments, they tend to prioritize visually appealing investments like kitchens and bathrooms over less prominent energy-saving measures. Richards expressed that the push for greener bathroom products is coming both from VitrA and developers.
However, there may be a disconnect between green product theory and practice, such as utilizing water-saving showerheads that may actually encourage longer showers. Treading a balance between environmental efficiency and user-friendly performance is essential.
A better tomorrow
The ensuing discussion touched on various aspects, from practical solutions for cost-effective designs to utilizing advanced water management systems. Modular bathrooms emerged as a popular topic, offering a streamlined construction process that reduces costs and time without sacrificing quality.
The entire round table event underscored the importance of foresight in crafting housing developments and spaces that meet both present and future needs, striking a chord between aesthetics, efficiency, and affordability.
The VitrA team can be reached via phone, email, or their website.
- Discussing the future needs of home buyers, Isabel Allen from Architecture Today encouraged the participants to consider lifestyle integration in their visions for contemporary homes.
- Roger Black, creative director for Ballymore, emphasized the significance of social interaction in new-build housing, and while sustainability is a priority, it currently sits behind value and quality on the list of house buyers' evolving concerns.
- Sharan Elliott of Ademchic spoke about inconsistencies between marketing and design, and the importance of communicating unique property features in a straightforward and unified manner.
- Ruth Davies of VitrA addressed the focus on bathroom trends, striving to create bathrooms that encourage longer use and enjoyment, while offering long-term solutions without compromising initial appeal.
