Visit the house of the future

In 2025 your refrigerator will tell your heater to cut back on power, embedded sensors will help manage your daily routine and your bathroom will be linked to your doctor’s surgery.

That’s just a few of the 80 trends a new study of future housing has found. 

The Building Construction Technology Road Map is a world first that looks at how technology will not only change the way we build, but how we’ll live, work and play at home in the next two decades.

Demographic changes such as an ageing population and later marriage, plus scarce natural resources and cheaper consumer technologies, will all fundamentally alter our homes, making them smarter, greener and more efficient.

Changing climate and rainfall patterns across Australia make water management a major implication for the home of tomorrow. A ‘third pipe’ supplying treated grey water for domestic use, better collection of storm water, increased official sanctions and rewards, and water meters that give real time use and cost are just some features that are predicted to become standard.

Other trends identified in the Road Map include intelligent surfaces that self clean and resist corrosion, smart energy meters, home/community gas powered generators, bacteria filters, and telemedicine for ageing people, as well as connected communities, holographic communication, and introduction of the ‘home manual’ and ‘home technology’ rating.

But home connectivity is the key, with the Road Map identifying a mixture of ‘smart wiring’ and wireless systems that will make it all possible.

“The Australian home really hasn’t changed in decades,” says John Fennell from the Copper Development Centre, one of the groups behind the study. “But it’s now the frontline for not only how we’ll manage the environment in the 21^st century, but also for all the cultural, social and economic changes we’re starting to see.

“By and large the technologies are already here. Most of them, such as microprocessors, fast factory manufacture, and sensors have been developed in the car and aviation industries, but are now being applied to the home at a faster rate.

“The Road Map is a wake up call to the Australian housing industry, not only to build more appropriately, but to get on top of where technology is going.

“The Road Map not only outlines the enabling technologies that underpin the 80 or more future trends, it identifies which industry groups would benefit from involvement,” he said.

“That is important as it underlies the growing importance of collaboration and outsourcing across industry sectors to create real innovation and new market opportunities.”

The Road Map was prepared by the Warren Centre and sponsored by the Australian Industry InnovationXchange Network, BHP Billiton, Tyree Group, Connection Magazines, NECA, Enware, Sims Group, AusIndustry, Crane Enfield Metals and the Copper Development Centre Australia.

You can download a copy from by clicking here,  or call 1800 075 060

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Building Construction Technology Roadmap
 

DIARY DATES

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Innovation Lecture

Mr Paul Salteri, Group Managing Director, Tenix Limited

Melbourne - Tuesday, 8 March 2005
Sydney - Wednesday, 9 March 2005

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