Health and well-being will become fundamental principles for the future of living in a post-COVID-19 era. The AGE360 project already anticipated these trends and was designed to bring quality of life in 360 degrees.

The global coronavirus pandemic made the real estate market rethink the future of living and brings new reflections on architecture and house design. It highlights the influence of a home on the most important aspect of a human being: Health.

According to the doctor and director of property developer AG7, Dr. Andressa Gulin, the environment in which we live influences us directly in a biological, psychological, and social manner (aspects that form our health), which means that these environments can help prevent diseases or even cause them.

“Buildings can be seen as our armor, where healthcare becomes a safety measure. Areas designed to reduce exposure to diseases and even areas that promote healthy habits become buildings and homes — allies of the immune system.”

It was based on this premise that the AGE360 project was designed by property developer AG7, which will be built in the Ecoville neighborhood in Curitiba, Brazil. The project was designed with the health of its residents as a key pillar in its construction.“This must be taken into account since the start of the project, impacting what construction materials will be used — and consider especially the habits and stimuli that future residents will be exposed to daily and how this will impact directly their health.”

This need became even clearer during the pandemic and fomented new perspectives on society and the market. Considering the current and future scenario, the doctor who is also a specialist in Health Innovation highlights 7 topics that will determine trends in the real estate market. 

These trends signal the combination of health and well-being with the appreciation of conscious housing. Take a look!

1 – Health Certification

Factors such as the air, ventilation, temperature, humidity, illumination, available views of the city, acoustic comfort, safety, and cleanliness are essential to guarantee that the body is receiving healthy stimuli daily.

These nine elements, which are present in spaces that promote healthy habits and reduce air pollution (such as tobacco) are required in the new certifications for buildings focused on well-being. This is the case of the Fitwel Certification, which was issued to the AGE360.

In practice, this means creating spaces that optimize natural resources such as air circulation and natural lighting with wide-open windows, well-ventilated areas, and sunshine — all this to guarantee thermal and acoustic comfort in every season. This also includes regular air and water quality tests.

2 – Healthy security

Health will gain as much importance as security, which is already essential when considering the purchase of a property. The infrastructure, technology, and services of the property, along with its architecture and design must be developed considering the biological safety of its users.

Entrance halls will have surveillance protocols for cleaning and reducing pollution, with discreet (yet efficient) disinfection stations; touchless technology will allow doors and elevators to be opened without contact; minimalist interior design with a focus on easy-to-clean, natural elements will guarantee elegance in common areas.

Indoors, healthy architecture will be what transforms the home into a true sanctuary, which ennobles it as a place where more happens inside than out. The entrance hall signals passage into a sacred realm, where you leave the world outside hanging — with places to leave your coat, bag, and shoes; along with all the stress.

At AGE360, all spaces were designed to reduce exposure to toxic materials and pollutants, with minimalist design and touchless technology that guarantee less contact with polluting substances at home.

3 - Extensive homes

Homes with bigger ground plans, which make the best use of sunshine, value their balconies, and have high ceilings become an obvious choice for those who wish to have more control of their space — and also wish to live in surroundings prepared for several daily activities, without losing touch with nature.

Awareness of the benefits of ventilation and natural lightning takes the front stage, and the areas adapt themselves to large windows, which thankfully replace the long brick walls.

The house becomes the protagonist of several special moments, and extensive residences embrace the needs of everyday life. The art of hospitality will be refined and living rooms will become the place of small, yet grand concerts; kitchens, a place to meet up; and the old library becomes the perfect ambiance for moments of relaxation and work.

At AGE360, the spacious and versatile ground plans are surrounded by large glass curtains from floor to ceiling, guaranteeing sunshine and natural ventilation in all areas. With no pillars in its interior, each apartment adapts to the needs of its resident.

4 – Convenience without losing privacy 

Technology, along with new business models, allows the convenience of product delivery and on-demand services right from your home. The pandemic created the need to receive professionals, such as doctors, hairdressers, and private tutors at home, but in a way that is safe and in an area created for this purpose. Thus, common areas that allow these activities (according to the needs of the resident), will become increasingly efficient.

At AGE360 for example, the project has areas such as the Beauty Room, Home School, Healthy Room, and Creativity Room to receive professionals and external services safely and adequately. These spaces will have an exclusive access for these professionals, which will restrict the circulation of non-residents and facilitate scheduling, cleaning, and the implementation of safety measures. Besides these spaces, the building also has Private Rooms, which are areas (outside the apartments) that residents can use to work, create a music studio or even a wine cellar — anything your creativity desires.

5 – A Getaway in your own home

To help organize your daily activities, a trend in most luxury buildings is to include a concierge, who besides organizing the condominium’s demands, anticipates the preferences and needs of the residents. With the approval of one of Brazil’s best therapeutic spas, Lapinha, the spaces were designed to bring comfort and relaxation in different moments of the day. Licensed services and professionals are available to residents with exclusivity and added benefits.

The art of hospitality reaches new heights with the exclusive Guest Room, an exclusive hotel suite for residents to receive guests with privacy and elegance in a 5-star hotel experience.

6 – Delivery 

Another trend is the creation of safe areas, optimized to receive product deliveries and services with infrastructure to stock fresh food and clearly-defined cleaning procedures. With the pandemic, the demand for delivery services grew in Brazil. Rappi, one of the most popular apps, had a 300% increase in demand in March (start of the pandemic), compared to the start of the year. Another fact that proves this rise in demand is the growth of workers on delivery apps, which according to Análise Econômica Consultoria, grew from 250 thousand in 2019 to 645 thousand in June, at a growth rate of around 158% just in the first semester of 2020.

At AGE360, an exclusive entrance for services guarantees optimized logistics for delivery with storage to receive packages and keep food fresh. Residents will have access to organic food delivery, straight from the producers, once a week after the building is inaugurated.

7 – Spaces for the body, mind, and spirit

It’s already clear that health must be taken care of in its biological, psychological, and social aspects — and that the real estate market must take this into account in its projects. From now on, designing spaces that guarantee access to physical activity, healthy eating, and contact with nature becomes more than a necessity. Spaces that invite you to contemplate and relax your mind, and even spaces that promote connections with friends — moments that enrich the soul. It is essential to consider all these aspects of health when constructing new environments.

The AGE360 project anticipates this need for healthcare and offers: a gym on the 21st floor with an exclusive view of the city; a beach tennis court; an outdoor amphitheater; an organic vegetable garden; meditation rooms; hanging gardens; a Wellness area with saunas and massage & relaxation rooms; and a Wellness Kitchen. All this and more spaces, designed for well-being and to bring the best quality of life for every resident.

Since health isn’t just about prevention, the building will also contain safety equipment for emergencies. The AGE360 will have Automated External Defibrillators for emergencies that require urgent care, along with emergency routes for quick access by the best local health services.

Consciousness over healthcare might be generating anxiety at this moment, but even so, new housing can provide infrastructure which benefits residents in practice. Healthcare will be simple, discreet, and almost imperceptible in residential areas. The goal is to create a feeling of well-being on a day to day basis, and as a result, a better quality of life.

To learn more about AGE360, click here: https://ag7.co/empreendimento/age-360/