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Ever wondered what the future of your home might look like? Let's take a look at three of the biggest trends we've been seeing lately.
1) Printable homes
Danish architects managed to construct an entire house in as little as four weeks.
Who hasn't heard of 3D printing? People seem to be making everything through this method these days, and that trend seems likely to continue as the printers themselves become smaller and cheaper - they could even perhaps one day become a must-have appliance for the modern world.
These appliances use plastics and lasers to harden plastics in a very specific, programmable way, but the technology itself is not limited to this kind of size, scope or application. Back in 2012, Danish architects managed to construct an entire house in as little as four weeks using a computer and a CNC machine that was capable of cutting wood.
Considering that many homes take months or even years of work to complete normally, this could revolutionise not only how we build our houses, but how expensive they are and how easy it is to renovate them. The future of real estate could hinge more on the availability of land for sale rather than construction labour.
2) Smart devices
This could affect more than just your real estate as well.
Some people may be thinking back to the smart fridge and scoffing at the idea of a smart home, but there have been enormous leaps forward in the industry. Appliances, lighting and even furniture are becoming a part of 'the internet of things', as everything around us becomes more convenient, more connected and more technologically advanced.
They come in all sorts of forms. A coffee maker that can be wirelessly ordered to make you an espresso, mirrors that are one part vanity item and one part control centre, even curtains that can detect light levels and open or close accordingly. It seems like a science-fiction future, but people are already starting to see these kinds of items in their house - and it appears to be a trend that is growing in popularity.
And the thing is, this could affect more than just your real estate as well. A 2015 Deloitte report predicted that 60 per cent of all wireless IT devices will be bought and used by businesses. It won't just be your home that changes as a result of the advent of the internet of things: It will be your job as well!
3) Virtual reality
Virtual reality isn't just about entertainment.
If you've made major renovations to a piece of real estate, you'll know how frustrating it can be for everyone involved trying to communicate what you want to your designer, and vice versa. It's the same with building a home from scratch - if you don't understand each other, the design drafts and the timeline, you could find out months down the line that the reality doesn't match your expectations.
There are plenty of methods that architects use to get around this problem. Scale models and virtual tours through computer software are particularly popular, but there's nothing quite like actually seeing the adjustment take place right in front of you. Imagine it - rather than having to envision what your designer is describing, they can simply strap you into a virtual reality headset and literally show you.
Virtual reality isn't just about entertainment. You could plan, design and experiment with various different looks and find the one that you like the best. This kind of technology is still in its infancy, but it is well on the way to making a big splash in the world of property.
So, what could the ultimate interaction of these technologies result in? One day, you could be designing an entire home in virtual reality, shoot the designs off to a property printer and be ready to move in within a month. And when you do come home, you find a fresh cup of coffee and just the right level of natural light set, all due to your in-home smart devices.
If that isn't a fantastical future, we don't know what is!
