What will homes of future be?
HOME automation, energyefficient appliances as well as simplicity and function will shape the Far North homes of the future.
Some of these features are already in new builds, with retrofitting to older homes happening at a much slower pace.
Building and design expert Nathan Verri, the man behind Port Douglas’s VIVO villas, said classic styles and designs would endure well into the future.
“That classic simplicity in function and flow is timeless really. It’s elegant,” he said.
“You don’t have to be too concerned with the consistent changes in trends.
“People want great indoor and outdoor living areas and the internal and external living spaces that really make a home.
“I see a lot of raw and rustic materials being used too – the concrete, wood, exposed raw stone on finishes and throughout the whole house.”
The VIVO villas easily command an almost $2 million price tag and come with an alfresco kitchen, high-end rustic textures and bespoke Cor -Ten steel screening.
Despite the modernity in his designs, Mr Verri said the traditional Queenslander home wasn’t about to fade from popularity.
“I don’t think the Queenslander is gone. The modern tropical Queenslander is in and here to stay, with its white finishes and that beach style with plantation shutters, big openings and nice wraparound verandas,” he said.
“Block size will also depend on where people want to be. They could be close to each other and look at design and what they have to work with internally and externally.
“Or they may want to live the lifestyle where they go further away from everything and spread their wings.”
Home cinemas, automation and solar power would also be hallmarks of Far North homes in the 2020s, Mr Verri said.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland Far North zone chairman Tom Quaid agreed.
“Smart homes and home automation are definitely big areas to look for, not just in new homes, but retrofitted to older homes as well,” he said.
“It is now cheaper than ever to have lights, switches and appliances that can be scheduled or voice-controlled, both for ease of use and efficiency.”
MyStyle Homes’ Grant Hartwig and Heather Ghidella knew this when they started off in the building business together almost 20 years ago.
The brand won the 2019 Excellence in Sustainable Living gong for its MyCastle display home at this year’s Master Builders Far North Queensland Housing and Construction Awards.
The pair is constantly tweaking features to either capture maximum cooling breezes or limit heat exposure.
Windows and doors manufacturer Stegbar marketing director Christine Evans said building regulations would “continue to push green building, new technologies in glazing and improved product engineering and design”.
“This will facilitate better energy efficiency within the home and reduce the reliance on artificial climate controls,” she said.
I DON’T THINK THE QUEENSLANDER IS GONE. THE MODERN TROPICAL QUEENSLANDER IS IN AND HERE TO STAY WITH ITS WHITE FINISHES AND THAT BEACH STYLE … DESIGN EXPERT NATHAN VERRI