01-03-08, UpMyStreet ©
Integrated work stations, flat-pack foundations, moveable walls, micro-energy generation, soundwave showers, robotic domestic help: will these all be in a home near you by 2050?
By analysing the projected impact of environmental, social and demographic changes - and getting some insight from the experts - we've highlighted the likely trends that will shape the homes and housebuilding of the future. Let us know if you agree with our futuristic portents...
1. DIY homes
Pre-built properties may make a comeback in order to support an increased demand for homes and tougher government targets, cutting average build times from 40 weeks to 16 weeks.
Housebuilding has already entered the flatpack age with Ikea's DIY 'BoKlok' homes, soon to be rolled out UK-wide. Think modern and stylish rather than post-war prefabs, though. According to Ikea: "The BoKlok properties have a flexible open-plan layout, with high ceilings and large windows, which give them a light, airy and contemporary feel."
2. Eco-homes
Gordon Brown has pledged to build three million new homes by 2020, and to make all new housing carbon-neutral within the next 10 years. This, according to Nigel Smith of Redrow Homes, "is one of the biggest issues facing housebuilders today". From sourcing sustainable materials for housebuilding to eco-friendly features such as loft insulation and double glazing as standard, homes by 2050 will be far greener. Expect to see roof gardens, solar energy panels to heat homes and waste water recycling facilities.
Eco-towns, fully sustainable and environmentally friendly communities, may also become more commonplace - 100,000 new, green homes have already been planned across five sites.
3. Fewer square feet
According to government projections, the population could rise to 77 million by 2050 - pushing the demand for housing and space to ever greater proportions. This will undoubtedly mean smaller homes, less square feet per person, and fewer homes available with gardens.
With room at a premium, our homes will be full of space-saving devices to optimise what we have. Folding beds, tables and chairs, window boxes rather than gardens, wall-mounted electricals and clever storage units will be the norm.
4. Grey power
With life expectancy rising, an ageing population will make it more important for home designs to accommodate an older generation of homeowners. According to housing minister Caroline Flint: "The vast majority of people want to stay independent in a suitable home as they get older. We have a responsibility to support that desire by increasing housing choices."
This means homes in 2050 could include wider stairs for stairlifts, downstairs bathrooms, ramps and other age-friendly features as standard.
5. Water-saving devices
The growing problem of summer droughts could make water-saving features in the home vital in 2050. These could include:
- Water restrictions to limit the amount of water used a day
- Waste water recycling systems to clean used water
- Rainwater harvesting systems in homes to capture and use rainwater
Scientists are also working on the idea of harnessing soundwave technology to replace water in cleaning - watch this space for soundwave washing machines, hosepipes and showers.
› Next: more predictions for homes in the future
Related articles
New housing needs to be much more sustainable for the future. We need a revolution in the way we build, design and power our homes.
Yvette Cooper, former Housing Minister
What 1950s experts (wrongly) predicted for the 21st century...
- Gamma rays used to keep food fresh instead of fridges
- Electric saucepans that cook on any surface instead of a hob
- Electric tables that rise from the floor
- Roofs covered with aluminimum foil to deflect the sun's rays
- Electric, folding front doors
- Houses built in the shape of plastic pods, interlinked with walkways
- Showers with hot air to dry you
- Self-cleaning baths
- Nylon to become the most popular fabric
- Men's fashions inspired by Superman and the space age
Source: Ideal Home Show
One of the biggest issues facing housebuilders, such as Redrow, today, is meeting the zero carbon targets set by the Government.
Nigel Smith, Development Director, Redrow Homes
Next...
More predictions for our homes in 2050 - article continues
Your comments (12)
Purnasingh (Maidstone), on 20/04/2008 at 15:58
Solar Power is the best solution I believe for power and hot water. Back in my home in Nepal I have the solar panels for water heating which is fantastic.
Purnasingh, Maidstone
M (France) (Tynedale), on 28/03/2008 at 08:00
Message to the dying man:
lets hope your offspring have more intelligence than you! intelligence being the ability to learn from the past to design a future that our childrens children can live in. You think about your 10 square meters in front of you, ignorance is bliss!
hastings (Hastings), on 20/03/2008 at 10:01
is it coming to Hastings at any time soon as we have 3 kids with disabilities so a Eco house will be fine
gypsey91 (South Tyneside), on 19/03/2008 at 15:29
solar panels. should be in all homes. breathing problems so much better without gas heating thank you.
DT (Sedgemoor), on 18/03/2008 at 09:11
Get rid of these pointless, ugly, and inefficient windmills and concentrate on supplying subsidised solar panels
Skip to comments | Add a comment
BSM (Newport), on 14/03/2008 at 12:21
A dying man. wrote:
Chances are I will be dead in 2050 - so couldn't care !
Same here. More interested in property prices in retirement age 10-15 years time, what are the indicators for this period? Inflation rate, house prices, tax rate, these type of things are of interest. Not house prices some 40 plus years away.
A dying man. (Liverpool), on 12/03/2008 at 21:30
Chances are I will be dead in 2050 - so couldn't care !
cateye (Chester), on 12/03/2008 at 08:19
abolish stand-by and digital clocks on household appliances, have automatic switch-off for battery chargers when charging has finished, solar panels on every home - could just that save one powerstation?
Robin (Suffolk Coastal), on 12/03/2008 at 08:15
Suggest that you try reading Oil Apocalypse by Vernon Coleman - it will put a whole new perspective on predictions of this nature. If his predictions are correct only one person in 6 will have survived the next twenty years or so.
scotty b (Manchester), on 11/03/2008 at 22:39
We should have solar panels on every house in the country, mini windmills. They should introduce the technology which has already been developed to run cars from water. And we should have all this tomorrow NOT in 2020 - 2050
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