Back to the Future
“Survival is insufficient”—these words are emblazoned on the horse-drawn carriages of a travelling troupe in
an HBO series that depicts life after a deadly f lu wipes out most of the population. Adapted from Emily St. John Mandel’s post-apocalyptic novel, the slow-burn drama features a nomadic troupe that continues to stage Shakespearean plays and classical music performances, in hopes of uplifting the survivors’ morale with the beauty and poetry of the arts.
There are certainly parallels between the drama and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic but most importantly, I find that indomitable spirit in the fictional series both inspiring and crucial, especially in the most challenging times. How do we build our homes and shared spaces more sustainably, while making thoughtful daily decisions in the way we live, work and play? We see technology as the bridge that unites creative visions with functional requirements, including the pressing concerns of the climate crisis; hence, the twin themes of sustainability and technology in this edition.
There are many good reasons to design a greener home—you can create a safer and more soothing sanctuary with better air quality and multisensory elements that can also improve your mood and wellbeing. In this issue, we feature design studios and projects that have eco-consciousness baked into their creative philosophy (page 58); these also include some of the stunning abodes featured from page 80. We also discuss the effects and impact digital tools will continue to have on our everyday lives, including the ways that automation, artificial intelligence and the metaverse are quickly transforming the real estate sector (page 64), and the spaces in our homes.
Elsewhere in the magazine, we offer practical tips on maximising the use of your balcony and other outdoor areas in your home (page 52) and highlight accent pieces that combine cutting-edge technology and time-tested craft techniques (page 48). And last but certainly not least, we unveil the winners of the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2022 (page 156), whose projects are an ingenious harmony of art, design and technology.
We may face many obstacles on the road ahead, but as Yoda, one of my favourite Star Wars characters would say: “Do or do not. There is no try.” I think of this mantra as my personal motivation for putting my best foot forward while embracing the changes that come with this new decade. We hope this issue will similarly inspire you to make your home both beautiful and future proof. Happy reading!
Hong Xinying, Regional Managing Editor