How urban density is reshaping housing design and development
The attractiveness of cities to younger generations, with their jobs and new opportunities, is unfortunately accompanied by overcrowding. This trend is only expected to increase in the coming decades, with significant implications for urban housing design and development. Some important considerations come into play when designing urban housing: maximizing comfort in limited spaces, budget constraints and efficient use of available space.
To meet these needs, we at Bao Living have developed the Smart Adaptable Module (SAM). The SAM offers sustainable and functional solutions, with faster completion of three months on average, up to 20% more living space in a compact size, and lots of extra storage space. Moreover, we achieve up to 5.5 tons of CO₂ savings per SAM installation! In a world where urban density is an increasingly important issue, the SAM provides a smart and sustainable solution to today's and tomorrow's challenges.
Space optimization in the urban housing market
It is clear that urban density has a significant impact on our housing market. It is therefore essential to maximize the limited urban space available. A densely populated city offers numerous advantages, such as a thriving market and the development of various sectors. At the same time, this density creates challenges, such as housing shortages and long waiting times for housing. The real estate industry must adapt by redeveloping existing housing units and repurposing available spaces. Old, unused factories and office spaces can thus be transformed into residential units. Several developers today are already focusing on these types of innovative projects, which encourage creativity and innovative ideas.
To support these developers in optimizing space and time, our Smart Customizable Module (SAM) can be integrated. By implementing the SAM, we can create up to 20% additional living space and reduce construction time by three months. We achieve these figures thanks to the smart integration of various utilities into the SAM and a far-reaching digital design process and prefabrication. In addition, innovative, space-saving features such as a folding bed and an integrated ventilation or heating device contribute to these benefits.
Sustainability in the construction industry
In addition to space optimization, energy efficiency and sustainability are gaining in importance. In densely populated cities, the urban landscape is intensively used, which makes it necessary to protect open and especially green spaces. Think of green spaces as parks, squares and rows of trees. These make the city greener and more pleasant to live in. Developments within existing built-up areas should therefore be encouraged, while limiting the use of new spaces. In addition to preserving these green spaces in cities, it is also essential that the installation of new housing units be as sustainable as possible.
In 2019, the construction sector in Europe was responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, 50% of energy consumption, a third of water use and 50% of material costs.
Compared to traditional construction methods, using the SAM during installation can save up to 5.5 tons of CO₂ emissions-the same amount as the emissions from a car driving around the world. In addition, the easy disassembly and efficient use of materials significantly reduce environmental impact.
In addition to these benefits, we have also introduced a SAM repurchase plan introduced. Since SAMs are installed completely circularly, users can reuse or trade them in at the end of their life cycle. This allows our SAMs to have a second, or perhaps even third, life. Customers who trade in their SAM receive a partial refund on their purchase, encouraging them to contribute to a more sustainable construction industry.
Smart design for affordability
With the right designs and installation methods, population density in cities can be increased without sacrificing more green spaces. This shows how smart design can contribute to affordability, social cohesion and sustainability while maintaining aesthetics and a warm sense of home.
Our prefabricated SAMs provide a fast installation process. This lowers costs for developers, allowing them to build more or more affordable housing. The increase in supply helps address the housing shortage and prevents rapidly rising prices. In addition, the importance of interior design remains crucial. Each space is unique, and that does not change as cities become more crowded. To address this, SAM uses modules, allowing everyone to design their own SAM!
The above trends show how urban density is changing the way we live and build, with a strong emphasis on space saving and efficiency. SAM offers an ideal solution to address these challenges. Interested in what we can do for your next project? Let's explore the possibilities together! Simply make an appointment via this link.