Discussing residential design post-Covid

Our panel discussion during Design London examined how product design, architectural solutions and revised planning standards could transform our homes into multi-functional spaces for intergenerational living and futureproof our housing for the 15-minute city.

Three high-profile panelists discussed topics inspired by Aritco’s short trend report Redefining Space Post-Covid, produced in collaboration with Springwise, at the inaugural Design London exhibition during the London Design Festival 2021.

Design writer and curator Riya Patel moderated the talk between the three panelists –  James Bidwell, Chair of global innovations platform Springwise and founder of strategy consultancy Re_Set, Renée Searle, Director of THREEFOLD Architects and David Schill, Marketing Director of Aritco.

The future role of the home is still in transition, but the need for flexibility in our domestic spaces is certain. Multi-functional furniture, biophilic design to support wellness and technology that ensures privacy and effective acoustics were discussed, as well as the urgency of reviewing official space standards for buildings which haven’t changed since 1961.

There was a call for residential buildings designed with communal green spaces and multi-generational living in mind as cities become increasingly densely populated.

Illustration: The Omni Workspace by Ekkist, one of the innovations included in the Redefining Space Post-Covid report.

The panelists then discussed the wider consequences of ‘hybrid working’, namely the greening of city centers, live-work hubs out of town and the rise of hyperlocal communities and the ‘15-minute city’.  They stressed the importance of sustainability as well functionality in the design of compact homes with communal amenities, and the importance of repurposing existing buildings in the future.

Illustration: Designs for compact homes with more amenities from THREEFOLD ARCHITECTS

You can watch the entire talk on our YouTube channel.