FORGING AHEAD
As homeowners move even further away from cookie-cutter features, they are also going to be looking at the longterm implications of their decisions.
“As terrifying as Covid-19 has been, hearing of nature creeping back into our cities has been magical and should perhaps remind us to tread more lightly and make more room in our planning for wildlife,” says Matthew
Potter, director of UK architecture practice Wilkinsoneyre’s Asia office.
The presence of greenery and improving the f low of natural ventilation and daylight in houses and residential towers alike will be as significant— these elements make our homes more liveable and appealing, and have also been proven to improve our wellbeing.
“Making sure we use natural daylight as much as possible should be a key objective,” says Potter. “Used in a controlled way, windows can be deployed without heat gain; you can see the change in light when clouds cross the sky as well as the position of the sun changing through the day.”
Although this is not the first pandemic that Singapore has faced, it is possibly the first that has necessitated such strict measures and lockdowns. But the housing market will continue to move ahead, and developers will launch new properties.
“I think in the new normal, we may see design firms engaging more locally based contractors to avoid time delays in the event of further border closures, at least for the rest of this year,” says Ong. Going forward, Lim also anticipates stricter rules in place for workers, including restrictions on the number of labourers and teams per construction project, which will stretch completion timelines—and costs may be passed on to consumers as a result.
Pre- or post-pandemic, that emotional, tactile connection we desire in our homes continues to be integral to the design process. Ultimately, designers and architects alike believe in the uplifting effect of design and how it can improve our lives, even in these unprecedented times.
“The power of beautiful spaces to affect our mood and behaviour remains unchanged—the challenge now is how we can incorporate a layer of post-pandemic practicality, so that people will continue to feel comfortable and enthused in the spaces we create,” says Edwards.