Architects and design enthusiasts alike are continually asking the question: what is the future of home design? What materials will come into vogue, and which layouts will stand the test of time? Will there be a focus on efficient, environmentally friendly technology? Domestic spaces set the stage for our lives, and the home needs to be a place where design takes into account both comfort and peace of mind, style and sustainability.
These five homes prove that the future of home design is, in many ways, already here—and it looks promising. From structures that seamlessly blend into their natural surroundings to homes that have invisible, integrated technology, these properties are looking ahead to what’s next.
Landscape Integration in the British Virgin Islands
Lu Valade, British Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty
Tucked neatly into its cliffside surroundings, this home on Virgin Gorda offers a vision of living that embraces the environment rather than dominates it. Set on nearly 13 acres of rocky outcrop and lush grounds, the two villas on the property also look out to the turquoise Caribbean Sea. The curved rooflines have been designed to follow the rise and fall of the landscape, an effect further enhanced by the 7,450 square feet of green rooftop brimming with native flora. The wall-to-wall windows allow not only for an unimpeded view of the sea, but are also automatically operated, allowing for even more of the outside to be easily welcomed indoors.
Organic Architecture in Austin, Texas
Susan Barringer, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty
Designed by award-winning architect John Covert Watson, this home, aptly nicknamed The Retreat, is an example of organic architecture in action. Set on nearly 30 acres of secluded land just outside of Austin, the house, when viewed from above, resembles a deck of cards splayed out across the landscape. In addition to its cutting-edge architectural design, the residence is forward-looking in its building materials, constructed out of locally sourced wood and generous amounts of glass. The overall result is a home that embraces the natural, organic world.
Geometry at Play in Costa Brava, Spain
Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty
Distinguished by its clean, geometric lines, this home in Costa Brava proves that minimalist design has a definite place in the future. Concrete and glass form the structure of the house, which echoes the straight lines of the landscaped grounds, guiding the eye out to the sea just beyond. A large, open-concept kitchen space flows out to a porch and summer kitchen with an integrated barbecue area. In addition to the sleek heated pool, the home also features an alarm system, security cameras, electric blinds, reversible air conditioning, and numerous other technical details that make this space feel firmly part of the next generation of living.
An Architectural Feat in Belvedere, California
Lydia Sarkissian, Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty
This 7,000 square foot home—designed by the award-winning architects behind Aidlin Darling Design—took more than five years to build, establishing its reputation as an architecturally significant home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Using a mix of materials including concrete, steel, stone, reclaimed oak, leather, and bronze, the home, framed by olive trees, is a domestic sanctuary of the most stylish variety. Exterior spaces blend seamlessly with the interiors, where roomy living spaces and amenities like an art studio, office space, and media room support the kind of multifaceted, balanced lives led by homebuyers of the present—and future.
An Inside-Outside Home in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Sara Plaga, Riviera Maya Sotheby’s International Realty
This spacious and contemporary home in Playa del Carmen can accommodate up to 20 people and boasts stunning ocean views in almost every direction. White marble throughout the interiors helps to keep the tropical heat at bay, while partially covered exterior spaces, multiple interior gardens, and two swimming pools encourage an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. The kitchen—forever the heart of the home—is an embodiment of the kind of refined design that defines the futuristic home: minimal but spacious cabinetry, integrated lighting, and state-of-the-art appliances that make the culinary space eminently livable.
The home of the future doesn’t rely on gimmicks—instead, it smoothly integrates the technologies that support and enhance daily living. As these five homes prove, the futuristic home also prioritizes our relationship to the natural world, both through sustainable architectural practices and in the way we envision our physical spaces.
For more homes that inspire a better future, browse these gracious international listings.
