ABSTRACT
The trend has already begun, but in the future it looks likely that advances in technology could create a society of home workers. The experts believe that, as in the past, people spending more time at home lead to enriched local communities. The house builders of the last century had it pretty easy. Essentially, all they had to do was provide pleasant accommodation on budget that would not fall down. But, according to research commissioned by insurers Zurich, and carried out by architectural practice, Arup Associates, the builders of the future struggling with issues such as population growth, global warming, and fuel and water crises. While summer and autumn look set to be hot and dry, winters wetter with more frequent, intense storms. Politicians, among many others, are leading the way in generating their own power by installing microgeneration devices into their own homes. And rainwater-absorbing flat roofs are becoming increasingly common on eco-friendly new builds.
