IKEA is known for its innovation and looking to the future. They have now taken things a step further by developing the ‘Home of Tomorrow’ in an abandoned 120-year-old building in Poland. The interior of the building brings nature inside, and the team that is responsible for the design wants to teach people how to live in a zero-waste environment.
The design aims to look at the home more as a living organism than a building. The spaces are connected by circulating water, food, waste, and other resources. The home itself is a 2700 square-foot area that houses over 600 plants. Polish designers Joanna Jurga, Paulina Grabowska, and Justyna Puchalska are responsible for the concept. According to IKEA, an estimated 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. They used that theory as inspiration to show the public how you can still be in touch with nature, even if you are living in the city.
The interior space shows the possibility of food cultivation, including herbs, vegetables, fruit, and fungi within an urban setting. They use different methods to grow plants, including soil-less agriculture and hydroponics. The possibilities are practically endless.
There are different spaces within the home, including a workshop to help people learn how to modify and repair household items. Rather than living in a throwaway society, people will be able to renew the furniture they already use. IKEA employees also have a special kitchen and will help homeowners to make their own kitchen environmentally friendly.
Relaxing is also possible, thanks to a minimalist lounge area with a special feature. The room is lit up by Home Sun, which is installed to imitate sunlight. It is designed to help you have energy when you are in that space. They also use 100 TRÅDFRI light bulbs in an effort to see how color affects the body.
The Home of Tomorrow will be open to the public early in 2021. That coincides with when the Szczecin IKEA store is opening. Until the public is invited in, it will be used to provide discussions and workshops on sustainable practices.
The IKEA Home of Tomorrow is designed to teach us all that sustainable living is possible in the city.