Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many developers and property managers have been forced to rethink apartment living in terms of utility, space and amenities. As Kanat Sultanbekov says, multifamily properties being built today look quite different from the ones developed prior to 2020. This is because due to the pandemic, many developers are changing their approaches to multifamily design, and trying to explore new ways to accommodate changing habits and keep end users healthy and safe.
Kanat Sultanbekov briefly sheds light on designing multifamily properties for a post-pandemic world
The Covid-19 pandemic forced people to reevaluate how they live. It additionally caused building owners, designers and architects to reconsider how multifamily properties are to be structured. For many, the pandemic ended up dissolving the work-life boundaries that were in place prior to 2020. Bedrooms became makeshift offices, and flexible work arrangements replaced the traditional 9-to-5 schedules for many. While today many employees have returned to corporate offices, the pandemic has definitely accelerated the rise of hybrid work. The concept of working from home is here to stay, and such workplace trends have also impacted multifamily unit design.
Having a dedicated workspace at home is an important component of the hybrid work approach. Basically, end users today require more unit space. Therefore, the footprint of a studio apartment has expanded, with one-bedroom-plus-den units gaining a high level of popularity. The study nook is also experiencing somewhat of a renaissance among designers. Such 35–50-square-foot alcoves only require minor adjustments to existing floor plans and can effectively accommodate the changes in end user behaviors. Upgraded appliances, limited sound transmission between units and improved internet speeds are some of the other in-unit considerations.
The impact of WFH essentially goes beyond individual units. As per Kanat Sultanbekov, designers are now modifying the layout of multifamily developments to suit evolving work patterns. Instead of incorporating centralized amenities, architects are dispersing additional communal spaces throughout multifamily buildings and creating adaptable business centers with private areas for focused work. Developers also have to make adjustments. The transformations in the work environment are compelling developers to not only alter how they construct multifamily apartments but also reconsider the locations where they build them. Amid the surge in remote work, there is a growing preference for relocating away from urban areas. Suburbs, exurbs, and formerly considered vacation destinations offer promising prospects for multifamily developers.
Prior to the widespread availability of Covid-19 vaccines, outdoor spaces emerged as among the few secure environments for gatherings. Consequently, numerous multifamily developers directed their attention toward incorporating additional outdoor amenities during the pandemic. This emphasis on outdoor features persists today. Developers are introducing a range of amenities, including community gardens, and rooftop pools, transforming what were once considered luxuries into defining features of contemporary multifamily design. It is now commonplace to encounter elements like dog parks, playgrounds, outdoor dining areas, and al fresco workstations in new developments. For designers of multifamily properties, there is an equal emphasis on bringing the outside indoors with biophilic design strategies. Increasing access to natural light and incorporating natural finishes and greenery can help improve the sleep and mood of the residents.
