The study suggests environmental and demographic changes will radically alter the houses people live in and those they live with, while working lives will change as technology allows people to work from home more effectively.
Stephen Leonard, director of mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, said: “Radical changes to our homes will occur during the next 20 years with changing demographics and environmental concerns paving the way for a new breed of green homes. Government schemes have already been developed to promote sustainable building practices, so expect this to be the beginning of a new era.”
As well having to accommodate three generations under one roof, climate change will also impact on the types of houses built, with homes on stilts becoming the norm in high flood-risk areas, self-generating energy from renewable sources and roofs flattened for garden space or inverted to maximize water collection.
Dr Frank Shaw, director at the Centre of Future Studies, commented: “Over the next 20 years the impacts of technology and climate change will bring about a renaissance in how we live at home. Our homes will always be our castles – but they will be more energy efficient, cheaper to run, intelligent, and more environmentally conscious.”
However, Paul Fincham, senior media relations officer at Halifax, said: “Without a doubt we are seeing a different market emerging. However, our research predicts the emergence of more single-person households at both ends of the age spectrum.”
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