SMART HOME: EXPLORING SMART INTERIOR DESIGN INITIATIVES COUPLED WITH HOME TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

With the first batch of smart HDB homes at Punggol Northshore completing in 2020, smart home is now a reality. Singapore’s current focus is to provide additional infrastructure to facilitate in the adoption of home technologies. However, by diverging and diversifying, there seem to be potential to expand in the concept of ‘smart home’. Hence, the research intends to explore in the implementation of smart interior design. Smart interior design would mean the use of ‘smart material’ and ‘smart design’. In order to ascertain the components needed for future smart home, an observational study and a personal interview were conducted. A total of 103 survey responses were also collated to garner the perspectives of home users. The findings from the research reveals that majority of the survey respondents could relate very well with the list of identified concerns faced at home. Furthermore, understanding the home user’s behaviour and preference was part of the research in helping to formulate the considerations for developing a holistic smart home. Nevertheless, there were several limitations in the findings. Firstly, most of the respondents were from generation Y which may geared the results towards the perspectives of the young adults. Secondly, the survey may not be exhaustive as only the essence of the problem is identified. In conclusion, the survey results prompt a re-thinking of how the future smart home should consider exploring smart interior design. In the recommendations made, the use of home technologies is retained to complement with smart interior design.