Time is the 4th dimension and can bring uncertainty. In time, households may become dynamic, the needs in-home may change, the number of inhabitants may change, an epidemic may occur, etc.
We need our homes and working spaces flexible and adaptable because;
1. Demographics are changing;
2. There's a greater need for home-offices;
3. Globalization affects how we live and work;
4. Unexpected natural disasters or pandemics may occur; such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
As we know by now, lockdowns can have real consequences for the economy, as many businesses close either temporarily or permanently. This has demonstrated the importance of being able to work remotely.
During the pandemic, the home has become the new epicenter of production.
During the pandemic, offices have remained empty.
How, if at all, are we expected to return to 'normal', commuting to the office every day?
As households become more dynamic, we cannot expect existing housing designs to remain static. We offer flexible solutions with recent technological developments in mind. This allows us to foresee potential events and accommodate the user with innovative planning solutions to meet their changing needs.”
We, as humans, need to feel like we belong to a community. Individualism can often lead to isolation, even among neighbours living on the same floor of a building. Stephen Porges stresses the role of the vagus nerve in emotion regulation, social connectivity, and fear response. Porges' polyvagal theory argues that, as social creatures, we become more self-regulated the more we engage in social interaction.
A sense of community occurs when multiple individuals help and complement each other. FlowHome and FlowHome can contribute to social development by accommodating variations in the home design model. Only by providing space for multiple diverse users can a strong sense of community emerge.
Some of these users may include:
Women
Immigrants
Elderly people
Students
Indigenous peoples
Homeless people
Multi-generational families
Ultimately, the FlowHome and FlowWork system allows us freedom in:
Pre-planning
Designing
Estimation
Construction
Interdisciplinary communication (between the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and structural elements of the project)
Maintenance
Flexibility during pre-occupancy and occupation
Adaptability of design
Budgeting, reducing moving and renovation expenses.
Ensuring sustainability
Defining ‘a real community’, in which all user types are dynamically communicating