Matar El Raachini, E. (2021). The next Generation residential space [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2021.90740
Technological developments and new user expectations have placed considerable strain on businesses to adopt innovative, flexible, and customized new models. As thecovid-19 pandemic contributed also to the disruption of the residential sector and skeptic the benefits of home service, the question remains on how to anticipate new demand to lure back consumers and gain back their trust. The purpose of this paper, to study the factors influencing user demand characteristics and get a comprehensive ideaof the prevalence and expansion of demand for space and services to better understand the meaning of "New demand" and its implications on real estate and facilitymanagement. In addition, this paper serves as a guidance for designers and businesses operating in the residential sector, providing them with user-centered concepts and models to integrate in their design and services. The study starts with a focused literature review and continues with a multiple case study methodology, as the impactof Covid-19 is in the early stages of theory development. The result shows that demand for space is shifting towards sustainability and energy efficiency as users become more sensible about the environment and climate change. In addition to a shift toward different structural model like co-living and serviced apartment, especially for millennials where they prefer even to invest more in exchange for high quality and convenient services. The result also shows that the impact of Covid-19 on residential sector has not been as severe as it is in other industries. The consequences of covid-19 reflected reduced demand for co-living models, student residences and apartment versus a boost in demand for smart, individual, and mobile houses. Demand for homeoffice space is expected to increase by 90% as 50% of employees have started working from home and 44% of home office employees are planning to adopt a hybrid employment agreement even after the end of lockdown. Covid-19 has reoriented consumers spending on entertainment, vacations and commuting towards on-demandhome services which has created an opportunity for home service providers (specially cleaning, contracting, and landscaping) to take advantage of it by pivoting theirservices to align with the new demand for home improvement. Drawing on these findings, the next decades will witness substantial changes to home-life through technological advancement in response to societal, demographic and climate changes.The family home of the future will evolve to be more resilient and more adaptable to society’s ever-evolving needs.