Image: Dreamstime/David S Onassis
The government has launched a competition to design new low-carbon, “age-friendly” homes for elderly people.
Housing minister Christopher Pincher invited small businesses, designers and manufacturers to come forward with ideas for homes using technology and the latest innovations to improve the quality of life for old people.
Three finalists will have the opportunity to partner with developers to deliver homes on a site owned by Homes England.
Applicants will submit an outline design for homes that are:
- Age-friendly and inclusive – appealing to a variety of age groups and adaptable to how needs will change as people become older
- Low environmental impact – applying technology and construction techniques to deliver net zero carbon emissions
- Healthy living – promoting better health and wellbeing, such as through access to green spaces and communal areas
- Deliverable & scalable – homes that can be rolled-out across the country.
To enter the competition, visit the Home of 2030 website. The first phase of the competition will run until Wednesday 15 April 2020.
The announcement of the competition follows the government’s recent consultation on a new Future Homes Standard, which would require all new homes built from 2025 to have 80% fewer carbon emissions.
Pincher said: “This competition will harness all that technology has to offer to bring in a housing revolution: new low carbon homes that deliver low energy bills and independent living for older generations. The new gold standard of building will have the future in mind – not just in the United Kingdom, but worldwide.”
Minister for care, Helen Whately added: “We want everyone, regardless of age, to live healthier, more independent lives. I’m looking forward to seeing great ideas for homes that will meet people’s needs with older age, and be somewhere you would have pleasure in living.
“Building homes with all generations in mind will help us achieve our Ageing Society Grand Challenge and its mission to make sure we can all enjoy an additional 5 extra years of healthy, independent life by 2035.”
