How the coronavirus pandemic will affect architecture and interior design

The COVID-19 epidemic, recognized by the WHO as a pandemic, can cause serious changes both in the global economy as a whole and in its individual areas. Let us, together with our website, discuss how the coronavirus can affect construction, architecture and interior design.

If you think this is the first time pandemics are having a noticeable, serious impact on architecture, construction and interiors, you are wrong. For example, in the 19th century, cholera epidemics contributed to the emergence of water supply and sewage systems, because it was the unsanitary conditions that caused massive infections..

And at the beginning of the twentieth century, the massive spread of tuberculosis pushed architects to the emergence of a new direction – modernism. As a reminder, tuberculosis is contagious, so the patients had to be isolated. In addition, they needed sun, air, and old and cramped houses did not give such an opportunity..

Therefore, such well-known architects as Le Corbusier and Alvar Aalto began to propose designs of houses filled with light, with good ventilation and the opportunity to relax in the fresh air. According to experts, it was then that private houses turned into a kind of sanatoriums, and lighter, more spacious, modern ones replaced the gloomy Victorian interiors..

A striking example of the impact of epidemics on design and architecture is the Adirondack chair. It became popular and remains a classic garden furniture precisely because it was considered optimal for people with tuberculosis – it was comfortable to sunbathe in it..

It is not surprising that architects and designers are already pondering how the current pandemic will affect the development of these areas of human life. One trend can be identified for sure – private homes, suburban life began to gain popularity. Remaining in self-isolation in an apartment with a tiny balcony and the inability to go out into the garden, the townspeople appreciated all the advantages of private houses with their own plots.

Currently, realtors note a decline in demand for rental apartments and a sharp increase in the popularity of country houses and summer cottages. This trend was clearly manifested in the middle of spring in the Moscow region, where there were practically no offers to rent a summer cottage for the summer. A similar picture is observed in other large cities, and not only in Russia. For example, near Kiev, even tiny rural houses with no special amenities are in demand – city dwellers, finding themselves at remote work or without income at all, tend to leave their apartments and find cheaper housing..

The portal has already written what shortcomings in the arrangement of the interiors were revealed by the forced self-isolation. In this regard, we can outline the main trends in interior design for the near future:

• Local suppliers of finishing materials, building materials, decorative items and furniture will be in increasing demand. These are cost savings, and the closure of borders even between Schengen countries has shown how dramatically logistics can change. Better to count on local producers.
• Apartments and houses have become more versatile. They have turned into home gyms, classrooms, studios, home offices … This moment will be taken into account by all homeowners, equipping the interior, trying to use all its possibilities.
• Preference will be given to finishing materials that are easy to care for, wash, disinfect.
• Indoor plants and conservatories will become more popular in light of the desire of owners to ensure the presence of greenery. In this regard, many will acquire gardens on the windowsill..
• As for the open plan, the opinions of the designers differ. Some are confident that such spaces with many functions will continue to be trendy, providing more space and light. Others believe that people will want more personal space, appreciate the opportunity to “hide” from the rest of the household in a secluded corner.
• Classics and other historical interior styles will continue to lose popularity. Modern trends, laconic Scandinavian style will remain in the trend, cozy hygge and lagom will be popular.

We state: in any case, after the quarantine, the owners will pay more attention to the interiors of their houses and apartments. Housing has become a haven from the virus, so it should become both more functional and comfortable, pacifying.