Thursday 28 Mar 2024
By
main news image

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): The Covid-19 pandemic has altered our lives in many ways. One of the most significant changes is how we view our homes. 

“Some of these changes had already been occurring at a slower pace pre-pandemic, but are now rapidly accelerating and becoming the norm. During this period, governments across the globe have been advocating the ‘stay at home’ and ‘work from home’ (WFH) practices. Home has always been a safe haven to many, offering security, safety and stability. It is the base where everything begins, although its functions have now extended beyond living,” says Knight Frank Malaysia deputy man-aging director Keith Ooi.

Savills World Research has indicated that working from home has a direct impact on the residential market, as households now reassess their needs. The Savills sentiment survey indicated that 90% expect demand for home offices to increase, while 86% expect an increase in demand for high-speed internet.

The change will have an impact on new developments. Property consultants believe there is a need to develop a genuine place to live, rather than ones that are investment-oriented. 

For Veritas Design Group vice-president Lillian Tay, the post-pandemic home needs to be versatile and ready for quick, temporary conversions of part of the open areas within the unit into an instant home office or virtual classroom. 

“For new buildings, designing for flexible convertible spaces is more viable than simply making residential units larger to accommodate working from home, online classrooms, home quarantine and so on, as housing affordability remains an issue,” says Tay. 

Read more about it in City & Country's Special Report of The Edge Malaysia weekly’s Aug 9 edition.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play.

      Print
      Text Size
      Share