DESIGN TRENDS FOR HEALTHIER HOMES
Touchless technologies could help reduce the spread of germs
With many of us now hunkered down at home, spending the lion’s share of our days confined in a limited space, it’s not surprising that the safety of our physical environments has become top of mind.
The rapid spread and threat of COVID -19 is changing the way we think about our spaces, spurring on the implementation of automated technology, sterile surface materials and a host of touchless products from faucets to toilets.
REIMAGINED HOME DESIGN
Architects, designers and builders are reimagining the built environment with ideas designed to slow the spread of contagious and harmful biohazards. Floor plan designs are already shifting in public spaces with items like restroom doors on the way out. In time these kinds of offerings may be integrated into residential home design. For example, creating privacy nooks for the water closet with the use of walls and angles instead of doors, utilizing a minimum of flat surfaces, using healthy surface materials and installing ventilation systems that allow for the removal of potentially contaminated air.
HOME AUTOMATION
Activated through smartphones or systems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home Kit, home automation is a game-changer when it comes to decreasing contact with high touch points in the home, including thermostats, lighting, door bells, music systems and even doors and door locks.
TOUCHLESS TECHNOLOGIES
From foot pedal activated steel kitchen trash cans to motion activated toilets and faucets, the selection and sophistication of touchless products is growing quickly. Kohler, a designer and manufacturer of bathroom and kitchen products, has introduced some innovative intelligent bathroom and kitchen motion sensing and voice activated touchless offerings, including motion activated toilet flushing systems, activated by a wave of the hand. It also offers a selection of intelligent toilets with intuitive open and close mechanisms and flushing systems.
SURFACE MATERIALS
Just because a surface looks clean, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is. Many beautiful materials are porous, including wood and natural stone. Bacteria, germs and viruses can flourish in the tiny fissures and recesses. Turn to materials like quartz — it’s non-porous and one of the most durable and hygienic surfaces. Another option is sealed granite.but perhaps the most hygienic surface material is copper; not only is it non-porous, it is also self-sterilizing.