Tiny homes getting trendy, smarter too

The online newsletter Architecture Daily ran its annual survey of some 130 million users in terms of new ideas and concepts that had greatest popularity throughout 2018, based on social media investigations. Number 1: tiny houses. This included innovative solutions for developing living spaces of under 40 square meters for dense urban centers—an underlying driver for the idea of microapartments for seniors.

The tiny smart home—a crucial evolution in the growth of small homes for seniors—debuted at the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Created by smart home automation company Control4, the 250 square foot structure on wheels features Alexa-controlled lighting and shading, remote temperature control, on-demand audio and visual presentations, and security. Commands are also issued via engraved wall keypads, handheld remotes, touch screens and mobile devices.

Several new statistics regarding the growing need for affordable seniors’ housing emerged from a recently published study by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS). Most U.S. households (65 million) are headed by someone 50 or older, and those headed by someone 80 or older are expected to double by 2037. Yet nearly half of the 80-and-over households today are occupied by people needing accessibility and mobility support—handrails, barrier-free thresholds, wide hallways and suitable door and faucet controls, all still relatively uncommon.