NOV 5, 2020

From Vertical Villages To Eco Communities: How Covid-19 Will Change Homes, Workplaces & Social Spaces

Covid-19 has been a catalyst to accelerated, profound change in the way we live our lives and use our homes, offices and social spaces, a new report from international law firm Withers explains.

The report, which features insight from fifteen world-leading business and property experts, highlights a new approach to the way buildings will be designed in future, in order to fit our changing needs.

So what are the experts’ predictions? And how will homes, offices and social spaces be different in a post-Covid world?

- Vertical Villages-

In the long-term, experts predict that we will want to be able to live, work, shop, socialise and workout in a singular multi-purpose environment – some are calling these ‘vertical villages’.

These multi-use, multi-storey buildings may currently be in use as offices, but will be redeveloped for a new way of living. They may feature flats, shops, a fitness studio, workspace, cafes/restaurants and even green space for growing.

‘I envisage lots of office blocks being turned into mixed use 'vertical villages' with apartments and work spaces, a deck and food growing all in one building. Cities won’t expand out but up' Jonathan Harbottle, Director & Founder, Land & Partners.

- Eco Communities-

In the suburbs, experts believe that new housing developments will spring up, and existing development will be adapted to offer more than just a place to call home. These will be built to function as small communities and may offer a range of ‘on your doorstep’ amenities like pop-up shops, work pods and allotment-style growing space. The homes themselves will be more eco-friendly too, as people look to cut household bills and tackle environmental issues.

Many of the experts believe that ‘placemaking’ will become the focus, as people look for living spaces within a unique community which enhance their quality of life.

'Early 20th century suburbia has very little to offer. The challenge is to create new settlements… it’s difficult to urbanise a suburb, but it needs doing' Professor Yolande Barnes, Chair at Bartlett Real Estate Institute, University College London.

'The home won’t just be a trading commodity you return to. People will be more interested in their living space.' Robert Adam, Founder, Robert Adam Architecture Consultancy.

- Working Boltholes -

As home and work lives converge, experts predict that people will look for a new working environment that is close to home. Smaller, flexible working spaces will open on suburban highstreets, but these won’t be the co-working hubs we know now – many of these will be existing cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants and even small hotels that have changed their offering to cater to shifting needs. These working boltholes will be places where people can get a change of environment, socialise, and enjoy artisan coffees and table service too.

Many of the experts predict we’ll be able to ‘rent a table’ via an app, and gain access to Wi-Fi, sockets and unlimited hot drinks just minutes from our front doors. Withers reports that people were already using bars, coffee shops and restaurants as work venues before the pandemic, and to an extent the pandemic has both normalised this behaviour and increased its prominence.

‘These space will be like a 17th century coffee house where you can work and meet others' Robert Adam, Founder, Robert Adam Architecture Consultancy.

'What we're already seeing is people who are working at home taking an hour and a half away from their day to get a change of scenery, grab some coffee, possibly have some lunch and work from a different environment' David McDowall, Group COO, BrewDog.

- Semi-Social Hubs-

According to the experts, multi-functional social hubs near home could replace single-purpose venues like bars and restaurants. These venues may offer the usual dining, take out and food deliveries alongside more recreational activities such as bowling and films. It is predicted that we’ll not just visit these venues at 5pm either, but instead people may drop in more during the day – current ‘peak’ times and happy hours are expected to decline.

Some of the experts talk of socialising moving away from environments or situations where the focus revolves around alcohol. In part they believe this is being driven by a preference for more socially-distanced activities.

‘Pubs and bars that survive will become cafes in the day and do things like turn into a cinema at night. Diversification and flexibility of these spaces across the community will be key’ Philip Harvey, Senior Partner, Property Vision.

Jeremy Wakeham, CEO of the Withers Business Division and a commercial real estate partner added: “The world over, the buildings we work, live and socialise in are wrestling with the challenge of catering for our new demands and this presents extraordinary opportunities. This report examines this historic turning point in attitudes and practices to how we use buildings across all areas of our lives.

“As a law firm that represents successful people and innovators around the globe, we have a unique insight into not only commercial offices but also residential property and the hospitality sector, which has led us to question the future of work, home and social. In doing so we have sought the opinions of a wide range of experts, investors, owners and entrepreneurs. We are grateful to them for their time and fascinating insights. There are many interesting talking points, which potentially reveal a very different world to come. "

The future of real estate report: work, home and social, can be found at: https://reports.withersworldwide.com/the-future-of-real-estate/cover/.

Report Methodology

Murmur Research was commissioned by Withers to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on the future of home, work and socialising. They conducted interviews with 15 experts who are well known figures within property, architecture, land development, hospitality, and academia.

The Experts

• Robert Adam - Robert Adam Architectural Consultancy

• Yolande Barnes - University College London

• Lucian Cook - Savills

• Nectar Efkarpidis - Molonglo

• Jonathan Harbottle - Land & Partners

• Philip Harvey - Property Vision

• Robbie Kerr - ADAM Architecture

• Katrina Kostic Samen - KKS Savills

• Marcus Loo -Savills

• Islam Mahdy - Credence Hospitality Developments

• David McDowall - BrewDog