Do you remember the home of the future documentaries? The houses were always white and sterile. The surfaces were hard and cold. Remember, the program always had that little robot cleaning the house? The home owners didn't have to do anything. There were automatic showers and dressing machines. In the kitchen a button was pushed and out popped a seven course meal. Even the dog was walked on an Auto Dog Walk.
I have always been disappointed that those futuristic homes were never actualized. Recently, however I've realized it's not because we don't have the technology to build homes like those we saw. In most cases, our technology has surpassed the technology shown to those homes of the future. Technology is available, but the home of the future must contain more. It must be comfortable, energy efficient, attractive in decor and design, but with practical technological advancements.
The home of the next century will still look much the same as out homes today. In most cases, exteriors will be made of brick, stucco, synthetic vinyl's, and other present products, for these are affordable, energy efficient and provide beauty as well as low maintenance. Roof shapes and finishes will change little, for they must continue to be affordable, produce strength, and provide weather protection. Our homes of the future will always have garages, because we must park what ever form of transportation we have somewhere. Though many would like it, the yard of the future, with drainage control, still won't be paved and painted green.
Inside the home, the kitchen and bath will remain much the same. Technology may provide new dimensions to our fixtures and appliances, but the use is unchangeable. Decorating, as does fashion, will vary but never become sterile. People like color, style and comfort. Wood and wood tones are as much a part of our homes of the future as is that old comfortable chair or couch. We will put up with some stiff decorating, but never at the cost our ease and comfort.
The bedroom is here to stay. More gadgets and electronics will appear, but four walls and a bed and, from now on, the TV are the main ingredients.
In our living areas, comfortable couches sitting on soft carpeted floors will still be in the homes of the future. The TV will continue to get larger and coupled with computer technology, will add new dimensions of relaxation and enjoyment as well as on-line interactive services beyond our wildest imaginations.
With greater relaxation however, we can't become totally sedentary like the old home owner in the futuristic documentaries. We must exercise daily, and our homes of the future will have sophisticated exercise rooms and equipment. We can't have the easy Life of Riley we wished for. The computer, rather than completing tasks for us, will keep us on track with our exercise schedule. And speaking of computers, they will be the biggest change in the homes of the 21st century. Everything mechanical and electrical (from light bulbs to door bells to when to dry and fold) will be controlled by the house computer.
As we look to the future, we must keep an eye on the past. Those aspects of home construction that are tried and proved, efficient and affordable, and of course, comfortable and attractive must not be lost.
The Home Builders Association of West Florida continues to provide direction and education for its members, enabling them to stay on the cutting edge of construction now and into the next century.