The following information is adapted from a news article published by ABC News on May 20th...

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The following information is adapted from a news article published by ABC News on May 20th 2022 entitled "Four bedrooms ... four bathrooms? How COVID-19 is changing home design." Located in a small town in North Carolina, USA, "The Barnaby", a home of the future is eyeing Australia as a potential market. From outside, the house looks normal. Inside, the differences are obvious: a front-door "vestibule" for no-contact home delivery, two "pocket" home offices (neither of which is a bedroom), a school room, a quarantine room, a "secret room" behind a bookcase (for being alone), and a whopping four bathrooms. This is a design shaped by the pandemic. The Barnaby's design choices were informed by the America at Home study, which surveyed more than 6,000 US adults in 2020. It found that Millennials and Gen Xers wanted relatively uncommon features such as germ- resistant countertops and flooring, greater energy efficiency, more storage for food or water, touch-free taps, appliances and toilets, and space for more than one home office. Though Australia doesn't yet have its own version of "The Barnaby", architects are working at imagining how our houses and apartments might be better designed to suit our needs. In March this year, a Brisbane exhibition featured the work of 10 Australian architects who had been invited to develop new concepts for home and residential environments. The designs included a much greater focus on community and connection, including shared amenities for apartments, as well as verandahs, walkways, and verge gardens to connect neighbours. Design academics and practising architects indicate that "COVID put what we consider normality under scrutiny" and that "Residential space is becoming a habitat, in the sense we are going to function 24/7 in this space". "Houses need to accommodate all interests and activities that in a normal situation you would experience outside." Surveys carried out by property developers in Australia show an increase in demand for home offices. The surge in pet ownership during lockdowns means people are willing to pay extra for doggy doors and dog-wash facilities. And hours spent WFH (working from home) has made people aware of "sustainability upgrades" like thermal insulation for which they are willing to pay more. People are placing greater value on "things like quality of light, ventilation, and acoustics". And a home office with a permanent door. The following information is adapted from a news article published by ABC News on May 20th 2022 entitled "Four bedrooms ... four bathrooms? How COVID-19 is changing home design." Located in a small town in North Carolina, USA, "The Barnaby", a home of the future is eyeing Australia as a potential market. From outside, the house looks normal. Inside, the differences are obvious: a front-door "vestibule" for no-contact home delivery, two "pocket" home offices (neither of which is a bedroom), a school room, a quarantine room, a "secret room" behind a bookcase (for being alone), and a whopping four bathrooms. This is a design shaped by the pandemic. The Barnaby's design choices were informed by the America at Home study, which surveyed more than 6,000 US adults in 2020. It found that Millennials and Gen Xers wanted relatively uncommon features such as germ- resistant countertops and flooring, greater energy efficiency, more storage for food or water, touch-free taps, appliances and toilets, and space for more than one home office. Though Australia doesn't yet have its own version of "The Barnaby", architects are working at imagining how our houses and apartments might be better designed to suit our needs. In March this year, a Brisbane exhibition featured the work of 10 Australian architects who had been invited to develop new concepts for home and residential environments. The designs included a much greater focus on community and connection, including shared amenities for apartments, as well as verandahs, walkways, and verge gardens to connect neighbours. Design academics and practising architects indicate that "COVID put what we consider normality under scrutiny" and that "Residential space is becoming a habitat, in the sense we are going to function 24/7 in this space". "Houses need to accommodate all interests and activities that in a normal situation you would experience outside." Surveys carried out by property developers in Australia show an increase in demand for home offices. The surge in pet ownership during lockdowns means people are willing to pay extra for doggy doors and dog-wash facilities. And hours spent WFH (working from home) has made people aware of "sustainability upgrades" like thermal insulation for which they are willing to pay more. People are placing greater value on "things like quality of light, ventilation, and acoustics". And a home office with a permanent door.