As London and the rest of the world trial new construction techniques and an increasing number of exciting developments appear along our capital's skyline, we consider what life might be like in London in the future.
When we think of how we’ll be living in the future, it’s not uncommon for us to conjure up visions of fingers whizzing about in mid-air controlling screen-less computers, flying spaceship-like cars and everything floating above the ground – as if gravity will somehow go out of fashion.
But perhaps these ideas aren’t as far from reality now as they may seem...
Smart home technology
Although we’re not quite at the stage of microchipping ourselves, or working on computers that pop out of thin air, we’re certainly closer to this than we may think.
In recent years, the advancement in technology has been so much so that we’re now living in an age of home automation. Increasing in popularity over the last few years and becoming an integral part of our existence, there are products on the market that take the effort out of everyday tasks and make our home lives more efficient.
At the touch of a button, we’re now capable of controlling everyday household objects like coffee machines, lights and heating systems – even when we’re away from our property. Whilst robots that dress us or cook our breakfast may not exist just yet, it won’t be long before they do!
Cities in the sky
One thing we can be sure about in the future is that everything will go skywards. No, we don’t mean in zero gravity, but upwards in terms of construction. With prices at a premium and land in short supply, developers are running out of options. So, in the words of Yazz, the only way is up.
And with the world’s rapid population growth, there is mounting pressure to construct space saving buildings that alleviate housing shortages, whilst also meeting the demands of our increasingly time-poor lifestyles.
"...whole cities will be extended high above ground"
As building techniques become more advanced and technology is used to automate construction processes, there will come a point where according to Samsung’s SmartThings Future Living Report “Whole cities will be extended high above ground within vertical mega-structures hosting public and private spaces.”
Although living in a skyscraper may not be quite as futuristic as living in a building shaped like a spaceship, the way in which we live and interact with the city landscape will certainly seem alien.
Samsung predict that in the future “Our buildings and interiors will evolve into hyper-flexible spaces”.
Imagine waking up, heading to the office, grabbing a quick lunch and picking up a few groceries for dinner, without ever needing to leave the same building. These cities entirely in the sky are the answer to the demands of our 24/7 lifestyles.
The future is now
Building and development styles in the UAE give us a glimpse into the future of construction in London, with skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa standing at an impressive 830m tall – or to put it into perspective – nearly three times the height of The Shard.
And they’re developing on water too! In Dubai’s The Heart of Europe resort, they're building floating homes with underwater bedrooms. Although for now this type of development is pure indulgence for the wealthiest amongst us, one day we may be forced to utilise the oceans for space and energy creation, with projects like Japan’s ambitious Ocean Spiral.
Agriculture
Building up is also the answer to a scarcity of food in the future. As agricultural land diminishes due to global warming and the population rises, vertical farms will provide us with food on a mass scale without the need for vast farmland. If the world’s population reaches 11 billion by 2100 as predicted by the United Nations, most of us will be living in cities. And it is here that we will be able to grow produce to feed people on a localised level.
The world’s first commercial vertical farm was launched in Singapore in 2012 and is testament to the growing practice. Employing rotating 9m towers that are driven by recycled water, this efficient method for growing crops with minimal energy wastage and consumption is certainly more Earth friendly.
What goes up, must come down
Down below the Earth’s surface, there’s plenty of unutilised space that’s waiting to be developed. Samsung argue “Just as we colonise the urban skyline, we will also build deeper underground. 100 years from now will see the introduction of ‘Earth-Scrapers’; multi-level, subterranean structures built deep into the ground.”
We’re already witnessing a trend for digging down, with an increasing number of homeowners seeking extra space in their homes in the form of basement conversions.
"Down below the Earth’s surface, there’s plenty of unutilised space waiting to be developed..."
Samsung have noted “The rise in the prevalence of ‘super basements’, especially in London, is evidence of a wider move to create more habitable space in desirable city centres.” In some cases, excavating underneath a property can add more than double the square footage without needing to build out into precious outside space and take on the associated costs of purchasing a bigger property.
“And using the natural insulative property of the soil to keep warm and reduce energy usage”, we are looking at a more efficient future too.
How we use space in the home
Whilst once we desired a two-up, two-down with a small garden, our wants, needs and budgets have changed the type of space we desire and how we use the space in our homes.
The line between our work and personal lives is becoming increasingly blurred as more and more people choose to work from home, or for themselves. So with that, the rise in the demand for live/work spaces in London over the past few years has been phenomenal.
As many of us seek an alternative to long days sitting in the office, there is an ever growing demand for flexible spaces, providing areas for working and relaxing in one unified, and importantly, cheaper space.
'Twodios'
Things are also changing in terms of who we can and choose to live with. With the popularity of studios on the up, developers have started to address the demand for properties that are affordable. And so comes the birth of the ‘twodio’.
A twodio is comprised of two private en suite bedrooms and a shared kitchenette. Although this concept is nothing new in the student world, for professionals, co-living is somewhat new. While the rooms in Old Oak are equipped with an en suite bathroom and a kitchenette, over 10,000 sq ft. of shared living space in the building includes kitchens, living rooms, a gym, shops, a library and roof terraces, all designed to create a community of residents.
By sharing the space, the rent is intended to attract people looking for independence without the cost of renting a whole property by themselves.
And more on this topic....
See how smart home technology is becoming an integral part of our lives and what property viewings will be like in the future.
