At home in 2040

Threatening crisis situations such as global warming in the 2020s or other crises in the world have always been catalysts for major adaptations, changes and intelligent innovations. First came the low-CO₂ vehicles and then, in 2028, the completely CO₂-free mobility concepts. Road traffic in cities has completely changed by 2040 and is virtually free from harmful emissions. This has enormously improved the quality of life in large cities and megacities.

At the same time, the architecture of residential buildings in large cities has changed dramatically. Many building complexes have become energetically self-sufficient, not only thanks to innovations such as transparent solar cells, but also due to a multitude of small and large achievements, which above all contribute to a natural cycle of consumption and regeneration and attach importance to a resource-saving approach.

People want to feel at home again in 2040 and need a place of retreat. The decisive factor was the dissolution of the rigid spatial structures of individual rooms – quality of life and living in spatial zones that can be individually changed from private to communal. The focus is on sharing living space and activities for a good residential community, as well as the establishment of community gardens in the neighbourhoods and the possibility of cooking together or spending time together. The trend towards the share-economy has prevailed in urban cities and architecture, housing and urban planning have changed accordingly.

The innovations of the highly advanced digitalization, combined with new interior design concepts, enable the versatile use of multifunctional room zone concepts – home office, living space and sleeping area in one. The corresponding ambience adapts itself. Discreetly lit walls and furniture that perfectly adapts to the desired function dissolve the old structure of bedroom, living room and study.

Urban Gardening, similar to an allotment garden, has been completely re-thought. Here, too, the fenced structures have disintegrated in favour of a loose residential community, bringing nature back to the cities in many places. Through networking and digitization by means of countless sensors, and glass surfaces containing transparent solar cells allowing them to be shaded, the climate control for plants on floors and roofs has been optimized in such a way that food is partly produced on site and thus transport is reduced. At the same time, the bio waste in every building is directly converted into methane gas and, together with locally insulated fuel cells, this supports the energy management of the residential areas. The generation of 2040 appreciates this regained freedom and community, which has also resulted in an enormously reduced CO₂ footprint.