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Real Estate News How modern homes are built, what to pay attention to regarding costs, design and materials - Infobae

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How modern homes are built, what to pay attention to regarding costs, design and materials - Infobae

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September 11, 2023

By: José Luis Cieri

Specialists provided guidelines to keep in mind the changes created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Flexibility, sustainability and elegance.


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Living room, dining room and kitchen integrated in a building currently being built in Palermo (BW Group)


When it comes to building and renovating homes, there are several changes that came with Covid-19 and that must be paid attention to: design and new trends in the use of efficient materials for finishes.

Several modifications are here to stay, including multifunctional spaces in which different activities can be carried out, from cooking, working or practicing yoga, in the same environment.

“Now there are more people who value having a kitchen integrated into the living room area , it adds space and also allows you to chat comfortably with family and guests at social gatherings,” María Inés Kries , from Newland, told Infobae .

“Before the pandemic, when choosing a property, buyers often prioritized central location and proximity to places of work and entertainment. After confinement, a new trend emerged in the search for housing: the preference for green spaces, balconies, gardens and outdoor areas. The possibility of enjoying a more natural and open environment at home became a decisive element when making a real estate investment,” Roberto Baylac , from the BW Group, explained to Infobae.

The impact of teleworking​

Remote work continues to dominate the work scene and end users such as those who recently renovated their home are looking for flexible, functional environments with better lighting than traditional homes.


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Teleworking has gained ground and housing must be thought of with a space to be able to carry it out or adapt an existing environment to use it for this purpose (Getty Images)

Camila Ginevra , a design expert at the GNV Group, told this medium that today, in a modern home, “the application of smart technology is essential: energy-saving appliances, space to set up a work area, greater exterior surface, connection with the interior and above all, a good Internet signal not only in the apartments but also in the amenities.”

Efficient ventilation is key when designing apartments.

The home office in several cases is a number one need since the pandemic. The unit that offers it has an added value. “Many people had to adapt spaces or make plasterboard partitions to gain space and carry out their work regardless of family privacy,” said Kries.

Other aspects​

Baylac said that the choice of materials with good thermal resistance is also key, which keeps the resale value high of the property over time . “A good home design requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account various factors such as research and understanding of the client. Understanding your goals and lifestyle helps design a home that suits your requirements.”

A good design must take into account integration with the environment, also consider solar orientation and views.

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Integration with the exterior and good views provide an added value on the price of the property

Technology​

Incorporating technological infrastructure and smart solutions makes the daily lives of residents easier. Like security, it is a priority. “From basic elements such as locks and alarm systems to considering factors such as adequate lighting and safe access,” Baylac explained.

Experts highlight the application of “intelligent technology”, Smart Homes that make it possible to open the door of the house with facial recognition and/or voice recognition to turn on the lights or play music.”

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Kitchens with built-in furniture and appliances help to gain comfort and circulation area

Camila Ginevra pointed out that another fundamental guideline is to focus work with “sustainable awareness.” This implies, she explained, “ creating solutions taking into account the environmental impact , for example in the selection of materials and their durability or the implementation of green terraces. Also achieving effective ventilation and good entry of natural light is a great help for energy savings. Bright spaces are sought and the integrated kitchen is a great contribution because it generates a continuous flow of traffic between the different areas of the house.”

What can't be missing​

As for the amenities, what cannot be missing is a social meeting space such as a lounge or event room and environments specifically intended for coworking with accessible outlets and ergonomic furniture for comfortable working.

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Coworking areas are key among the amenities (BW Group)

Ginevra clarified that for a kitchen the key is an efficient design of the storage space: “the built-in appliances , the design of the island that is usually the center of every meeting in the home and the choice of materials especially for countertops. As for the bathrooms, the key is to create an innovative space with modern faucets and coverings that give character to the environment,” she said.

Regarding the living room and dining room, the trend today is to create relaxed and elegant spaces at the same time. People look for highly comfortable furniture, quality materials and more natural tones but without losing sophistication. In the living room, it is ideal to incorporate entertainment systems compatible with teleworking and good connectivity, as well as areas for gymnastics or other activities.

“In the bathroom, use modern showers and taps with temperature and water flow regulation systems to improve the care of the resource. Furniture with integrated storage space to maintain order and organization. Inclusion of low-consumption appliances, such as dual-flush toilets and LED lights,” recommended Roberto Baylac.


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In bedrooms, using light tones is vital

For those who renovate, it is popular to expand the rooms, knocking down some of the dividing walls. The objective, apart from gaining more generous measurements, is to optimize the flow and obtain more dynamic spaces.

Brightness is essential, new projects usually include floor-to-ceiling openings to guarantee the entry of natural light and good ventilation
María Inés Kries, expanded that “another possibility, without requiring work, and when there is no extra room to set up the desk/home office area, is to use folding furniture to have a desk or install an area. work in some sector of a wide hallway that the home has.”

Another option is to join two bedrooms to make one larger and more spacious , even, if allowed, with the addition of a dressing area. “Or assemble a bedroom with the living room to achieve a versatile and multipurpose space that can be used as a desk, intimate living room, games room, among other options,” Kries said.

For the exterior, the inclusion of large balconies or open spaces is key, even with their own grill, something highly required.

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Terraces are essential for the connection with the outside and the integration and ventilation of the home (Newland)

Costs​

The average price in the City of Buenos Aires is USD 1,100 per m2, depending on the qualities. “The most expensive thing is generally the structure of the home and also the bathrooms and kitchens since the corresponding appliances and fixtures or taps are added to these rooms,” Ginevra explained.

According to experts, defining precise costs for home construction can be complicated due to various factors, such as fluctuating material prices and variations in labor costs, typical of a high inflation cycle.

“Young families are usually more willing to adopt innovative technologies and solutions in their homes, such as automation, renewable energy or energy efficiency systems. And sometimes the cost can amount to USD 1,500 per m2 ″, Baylac exemplified.

In kitchens it is advisable to use synthetic quartz countertops that are resistant, as well as vitrified cooktops (Kries).
In on-site projects, making kitchen and bathroom modifications while the building is still under construction is less expensive.

"In kitchens it is advisable to use synthetic quartz countertops that are resistant, also vitrified cooktops, in the enclosures the Hermetic Double Glazing to avoid noise from the outside and to isolate the home from temperature changes, the use of porcelain tile on the floors is aesthetic and durable, in addition to making it easy to clean,” concluded Kries.

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