In 1995 internet explorer became standard on windows computers. This was the start of the internet becoming a daily essential. In 2014 google launched “Cardboard” it’s virtual reality software and app that turns any smart phone, with the help of a $10 headset, into a VR experience machine.
What does this have to do with apartments? Everything.
While the internet changed what we knew about the world, VR will change how we live in the world and the space we need.
As people’s lives change to live more in a VR world so will the physical world we live in. The need for space and views from your apartment will change, no longer will a great view matter from your office as your office will be a VR space. I expect that building design will change with the creation of smaller apartments, with much larger and socially oriented common areas with pools lounge areas, dinning rooms and more, in the best location in the building, up top.
How can this be? Well, image this.
2035 A day in the life of an owner/office worker.
6.00am
Amazon Alexa welcomes you into today and talks you through your workout and into 10 minutes of meditation
6.50am
You say “Alexa I need a latte and toast”. You walk into the kitchen as your coffee is finished and your toast rises ready for your topping.
6.55am
The blinds open showing the only window in your apartment and you shower and dress for the day.
7.30am
You sit in your layback chair put on your VR headset and say “Get me to work”
7.31am
You are in the office, well your companies VR workplace and your day starts.
– phone calls appear in front of you
– your avatar sits in VR meeting rooms and talks to people
– your work continues in a dynamic natural environment
10.00am
Break time – you logout and you are in your apartment, already in your gym cloths you eat and take the lift to your apartment building’s garden level. You workout and enjoy the fresh air.
10.45am
You login to work, but now you are in the New York VR office for a team meeting where you work the day.
5.00pm
You finish work & get dressed.
5.15pm
You meet your friends in your building’s shared kitchen and dinning room for drinks and dinner.
7.30pm
You return to your studio apartment and visit your favourite Fiji beach in VR. Your apartment knows that this is an experience and your climate control matches it 28 degs & 80% humidity.
You unwind for 25 minutes on the beach as you fully believe you are there.
7.55pm
You turn the experience to the public and your friend joins you on the beach for a talk about the day.
8.25pm
Back in your apartment and you sit down to read for the remaining night.
With the combination of technology and smart real estate design, people’s quality of life increases with better company engagement, the balance of the physical world experiences, and social activities close to home and within VR.
With optimised facilities within 100m of your home and not having the essential need to live close to work. Apartment design and location will evolve, a studio apartment with resort facilities, socially oriented activities and high-speed internet that’s free to the building will be more interesting to buyers. Large apartments will become a wasted luxury and proximity to work offices will lose their value.
The internet drove increased productivity at work and knowledge, but Virtual Reality with increase lifestyle and the reliance on real estate to create a lifestyle will shift as high-speed internet & facilities become the most important factors.
