How Will Amenity Trends Evolve After COVID-19?
It has been a year since COVID-19 first struck, and countries throughout the globe are still grappling to contain the spread of the virus. In December 2020, World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “history tells us that this will not be the last pandemic, and epidemics are a fact of life”.
Consequently, amenity designs initially put in place to facilitate a lifestyle of working from home and to maintain hygienic practices will not only remain while COVID-19 is at large, but also become the norm in the long-run. Cognizant of these developments, we foresee three amenity trends will shape the development of new properties moving forward, and these are:
1. Making the home conducive for working,
2. Enhancing building safety and convenience, and
3. Innovating amenities to meet increased demand for recreation.
Making the home conducive for working
We previously looked to our homes as a refuge and peace of mind after a long day’s work, as well as a safe zone to spend quality time with family and friends. While we hope that the spread of COVID-19 will ultimately abate and our lifestyles regain some semblance of normalcy, it is likely that working from home arrangements will remain in the short-term and become the first line of defense in future pandemics.
For many of us the shift to working from our homes can be discombobulating, as most of our homes are not equipped nor designed to be workstations. Working from home also means our work stresses previously confined to our offices will now pervade the sanctuary that is our homes.
Nevertheless, smart amenity design can address working from home needs. Wall partitions and foldable furniture that can be easily removed enables families to create bigger play or communal areas for quality family time. Conversely, these partitions and furniture can be installed during schooling and working hours to enable members of a family to attend classes or join video conference meetings in private.
Properties can also have designated floors as co-working spaces. Co-working spaces have gained popularity over the last decade and was initially established as an alternative for companies to rent working spaces on-demand as opposed to having to buy office spaces. The appeal of co-working spaces lies in its flexibility to cater to the many needs of an office, from having sound-proof booths to take conference calls and movable furniture to meet the needs for a group discussion or just private rooms for those who wish to work privately.
Enhancing building safety and convenience to services
Besides catering to working from home needs, amenity design will continue to prioritize the safety to its inhabitants without compromising convenience and accessibility. Health experts have always advised to practice proper hygiene measures long before the onset of COVID-19. Both governments and citizens now recognize the importance of hygiene practices in protecting against the spread of COVID-19 and other bacteria and viruses. As such, amenity design moving forward will incorporate sophisticated technologies to mitigate the spread of harmful biohazards without drastically affecting residents’ lifestyles.
“September 11th transformed the way we look at airport and building security. Metal detectors and limits to liquids you can carry onboard a plane are now commonplace at most international airports. Global terrorism was never on the minds of developers until the unthinkable happened. The same fundamental re-evaluation is happening now with building design.”
“COVID-19 has forced us to rethink how a building can be designed, and has accelerated trends already at work when it comes to building design. Firstly, buildings must be designed to protect inhabitants against deadly pathogens, but more importantly, design must take into account how we’ve fundamentally changed, the importance of more space, improved air quality, and flexible space. This involves promoting hygiene practices seamlessly and conveniently for tenants and residents so that they don’t even realize these amenities are there and feel a sense of returning to normalcy”, says Jeremy Brutus, founder of URBN Playground.
Entry and exit points to a building will employ motion sensor technology and sliding doors to eliminate the need for physical touch. Buildings can provide authorized access to residents via access cards in lieu of physical keys and locks or keypads requiring password access. With shopping shifting to online channels, new buildings will have centralized and sophisticated inventory management systems to store delivered packages for residents and eliminate physical interactions made in door-to-door deliveries.
Frequently used appliances will be replaced with electronic alternatives such as motion triggered faucets, toilet flushes, hand dryers and trash cans. Similarly, automated environmental controls remove the need for inhabitants to adjust the room temperature and can be programmed to only operate whenever a user is present, thus conserving electricity. Electronic disinfecting aerosols can be installed and programmed to periodically disinfect the air. These tools have the added advantage of reducing wastage when not in use and scores brownie points for the environment.
Innovating amenities to meet new demand for leisure and recreation
Finally, innovations to amenity design will also take place in the sphere of recreation and leisure. Most forms of conventional and recreational activities, from a walk in the park to going to a gym are now more difficult to access. Moving forward, developers have to rethink of how recreational space and amenities will be developed. This involves being mindful of social distancing needs while catering to the increased demand for public spaces and amenities owing to reduced options beyond home.
Apps like Amenity Boss and URBN Playground’s own proprietary app allow residents to book amenities directly using smartphones. The use of apps also allows building management to manage and limit the number of users to an amenity in adherence to social distancing requirements. Gym facilities are now built with additional space with separate rooms to accommodate different uses – one section for cardio machines, another for yoga studios and a third for free weights and machines. Sections within the gym are further demarcated and limited to several users to observe social distancing. Hand sanitizers and sprays are provided, and users are expected to spray and wipe equipment after each use. It is also common for gyms to be open 24/7 to accommodate more users to spread out in a day.
Outdoor amenities will similarly be revamped. Residential parks featuring multiple walking and biking paths will serve as alternatives to reduced access to outdoor parks. Pocket gardens can be made for residents seeking a quick getaway, while pet-wash stations can be set up to cater to pet owners. Outdoor sports with minimal physical contact such as tennis and squash courts could now be incorporated in new buildings.
Next steps: Planning ahead for uncertain times
The pandemic has undoubtedly altered our lifestyles and routines from previously ‘normal’ times. While many other aspects and activities in our lives remain in flux, COVID-19 has permanently altered our behavior with regards to personal hygiene within living spaces, particularly our homes. Precautionary measures involving good hygiene practices and social distancing are here to stay well past COVID-19.
Amenity design for the future must account for making the home conducive for working, enhancing building amenities in terms and safety and convenience as well as innovating amenities to cater to the new demands for recreation and leisure.