Changing spaces for a changing world

The world has changed. Fast… And in ways that we could not have imagined. This month SBT catch up with Richard Zinzan, archangels ARCHITECTS

This year has given most of us the opportunity – welcome or not – to reflect on the way we live and work. The two worlds collided for many when the UK first went into lockdown in March. What seemed initially like a temporary measure, with many working from the kitchen table whilst juggling the demands of home schooling, now seems to be much more of a way of life. We have adapted, now it is time for our homes to catch up too.

2020 has brought buoyancy to the property market. The big pause has given people a chance to reflect on what is important, and for many that means making moves from bigger cities into more open spaces with access to the great outdoors and space to work. Of course, this isn’t something that’s available, or even appealing to all of us.

Sussex, and in particular, Brighton and Hove has always had more than its fair share of homeworkers and freelancers, it is no surprise that in 2020 we have been asked more than ever to help people adapt to their homes to the changing world. In June of this year, it was reported by the Guardian that 49% of workers nationally had worked from home. In 2019 it was just over 5%, the increase is staggering.

This year has brought its own challenges for us too. There were many weeks when building work stopped completely. Fortunately, it started again in early May but there are ways that we have had to adapt the way we work with our clients.  It would have been unheard of before for me to carry out consultations solely using Zoom, Google Maps and estate agents’ floorplans. Although I do miss getting out and about and human connection as much as anyone else, this is surprisingly effective but also more acceptable.

Our job as architects is to find solutions a client might not have been able to envisage. For example, we had a client who contacted us for a substantial extension to her existing house. She needed space to work from home as well as somewhere for guests and in particular, a disabled friend to come and stay. Although an extension could have been one solution, reconfiguring the existing space was just as effective.

We recommended flexible spaces that could be multi-functional. Clever furnishing and joinery can make rooms easily adaptable to working from home and the ever-increasing move we are seeing to intergenerational living. Another recent Guardian report stated that 46% of 20-34 year olds still live with parents. I can only imagine this increasing with the economic impact of COVID-19.

archangels ARCHITECTS was founded in 2009 and I have been the sole Director for 3 years now. We are passionately committed to providing cost effective, creative, low energy buildings. We work closely with clients to enhance their space and craft beautiful buildings that are in harmony with the environment. Our aim has always been to understand the client’s dreams and to meet their individual requirements throughout the natural building process, so together we can produce people’s own grand design.

Adapting your home to your evolving world doesn’t have to be costly or invasive. Here are three things that you can do to better integrate your work and family life into the space you have:

•  Additional space isn’t always needed – taking away space and repurposing can also enhance your home – as well as a good tidy up and clear out!

•  Adding in a shower room to the ground floor makes a reception room easy to turn into a bedroom, making your house more accessible and flexible particularly for those older guests (the outlaws!)

•  Never neglect the outside space if you have one or look at creating one if at all possible. Wellbeing is important for our mental health and having access to some outside space when working from home can be vital.

In my own home I have done away with naming rooms and I think that this is something we all consider. I have a room that easily flows between office, spare room and home gym with clever joinery and a little bit of technology – it feels very James Bond to have a bed that appears and disappears at the touch of a button!

One thing is sure; the links between having a safe and versatile living space and our mental health, family life and productivity are clearer than ever. While it’s impossible to know what the future holds, I feel that the greatest lesson I have learned in 2020 so far is that if we think in terms of our priorities – the things that really matter to us, and work from there, we can’t go too far wrong.

Our projects range from bespoke new-build homes, to extensions of existing homes, to modest internal alterations. Our mission is to deliver cost-effective, creative, low-energy buildings that improve everyday living.

Ready to talk about an idea? Get in touch. Together, we will create your dream home. 

www.aaarchitects.co.uk
info@aaarchitects.co.uk
01273 267 184