2021 is a year where hope is on the horizon. There’s an end in sight to the virus we won’t name, and a decade ahead that promises remarkable transformations in everything – from how we live and work, to how we produce energy.
It’s good to be optimistic about what these exciting transitions might bring. And there’s nothing that makes us happier than property! So what will properties look like in the future?
We’ve decided to put on our prediction hat, and gaze into the future of housing and property development, to bring you some of the more exciting elements of our not-so-distant landscape.
So what is the future of real estate, and what will houses of the future be like? Here are some key transformations to watch out for.
1) Developments will be going green
People want a slice of natural joy in their life, now more than ever! This is a trend which is already growing in 2021, with developments like Setia Eco Gardens and Eco Spring.
The thirst for green neighbourhoods and nature-rich suburban lifestyles, combined with the growth of work-from-home jobs, will see these green developments increasing rapidly over the next decade.
2) Buildings will be greener too!
It’s not just building green neighbourhoods, it’s also about green buildings! Eco-towers and other developments will increasingly use natural tools to improve environments, reduce overheating or enhance cooling, and offer a better place to live.
If you’re looking for the green future today, KL’s Le Nouvel Towers offer a slice of high-rise green vertical living to enjoy (just look at the richness of the greenery in the image above)!
3) Flatpack buildings will be on the rise
Homes of the future will increasingly leverage pre-built elements, known as industrialised building systems.
This means elements of (or all of!) buildings are preconstructed in factories, then assembled on-site, providing a cost-effective and less energy-intensive building opportunity.
It saves money, reduces the resource burden, and makes it even easier to meet the growing demand for quality homes.
4) Solar power will mean self-power
The number of rooftop solar installations is expected to double globally to reach 100 million by 2024, with further growth expected as part of efforts to meet global climate change commitments. Self-generation with renewable energy is going to be massive by 2031.
Malaysia’s net metering program is helping this journey evolve, as we take advantage of the 4.12 million properties in Malaysia with the potential to save money with green rooftop solar.
5) Homes will be increasingly digital
Connected homes are set to go way beyond Amazon Alexa beeping at you from the corner of the living room.
Devices will increasingly be linked through the internet of things (IoT), allowing you to remotely operate everything from air conditioning to the television.
In this futuristic house, your fridge will be ordering food, your energy metre is informing you about electricity costs, and your Alexa will still be telling you off for your (poor) choice in music!
6) Cities will be smarter
It’s not just individual homes leveraging the power of digital connectivity, but entire cities which will evolve.
Smart cities will connect individual residents, homes, and apartment blocks with a whole digital urban environment, integrating road infrastructure, public transport, housing, energy, waste disposal, and more.
Your smart home will be part of a smart urban ecosystem, offering increasingly advanced opportunities to link your home development with both public and private services.
7) Public transport will connect
Connectivity is already a major factor in the attractiveness of homes, but a growing push towards low-carbon transport will further impact this in future.
By 2031, you can expect public transport to be more widespread and interconnected with your property. Think more walkways to trains, solar-powered bus stops served by electric buses, and even more integrated urban cycling infrastructure.
You can already see developers building on these benefits with developments like Saville @ Cheras and Tropicana Gardens, and KL Gateway Residences showcasing direct MRT/LRT links as a selling point.
8) 3D printed houses might deliver solutions
Check out this innovative concept pictured above! 3D printing may well offer up a solution to our rapidly growing housing needs.
This futuristic design by Serendix Partners was the winner of NASA’s 2015 3D Housing Challenge, and shows how this revolutionary printing method could help deliver the housing of the future.
This ‘house’ was designed by Japanese architect Masayuki Sono, and uses light-weight and low-cost materials to provide a compact abode of just 30 square meters.
Fully automated production of these houses leads to a construction time of just 24 hours for each house, creating a scalable solution in our push forward more affordable housing opportunities.
9) Electric cars will be a powerful attraction
Malaysia aims to have 125,000 charging stations nationwide by 2030. And it’s no surprise, given the recent hype behind Tesla and SAIC Motor’s "new energy" vehicles.
With growing adoption of electric vehicles, you can expect housing developments to increasingly roll out electric charging points to attract the new eco-conscious buyer.
The future is bright
There’s a whole lot of future to look forward to by 2031, with everything from electric vehicles to green vertical living transforming the look and feel of our properties!
These are, of course, just SOME of the changes that will impact our housing landscape, and it remains to be seen how deep and how persistent such transformations might be.
Whatever happens to housing itself, you can rely on the fact that we will continue to be your leading resource for exploring and discovering your future property opportunities. So come check out Malaysia’s largest database of properties available!