{
  "id": 11749355,
  "title": "The key features Australian homes may have in the future",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/the-key-features-australian-homes-may-have-in-the-future",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-03T18:39:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-04/future-home-life-australia-ev-electric-vehicles-solar-power-wfh/107220092"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Monash University study examined the future features Australians might desire in their homes. Researchers surveyed 49 participants from diverse backgrounds across the country. Combining office and living spaces was a common trend, with people valuing the ability to multitask within their homes. Professor Sarah Pink, the lead researcher, noted that this flexibility could lead to new housing designs.\n\nAssociate Professor Jungsoo Kim from the University of Sydney suggested that future homes could feature adaptable zones for visual and acoustic privacy, good daylight, ventilation, thermal comfort, and power access. For those needing separate spaces for work or meetings, movable screens, curtains, compact furniture, storage, and task lighting could create the needed separation without requiring extra rooms.\n\nMore than half of the households surveyed had at least one member working from home weekly. Some expressed the ease of working from home, citing no commuting hassles and flexibility for childcare or maintenance. However, concerns about affordability arose, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs). Only 4% of those earning less than $40,000 a year owned or intended to buy an EV, compared to 22% of those earning over $241,000. Yet, many survey participants still envisioned homes that maximized space efficiency, allowing for dedicated work areas without needing additional rooms.\n\nWith EVs projected to account for almost a quarter of new car sales in Australia, the researchers observed that 33% of homes already owned or planned to purchase an EV or plug-in hybrid. These households sought affordable charging options, such as solar power or off-peak electricity tariffs. However, the energy transition also raised concerns about accessibility; one-third of Australian homes have rooftop solar, but affordability and exclusivity issues persisted, with lower-income households feeling less inclined to adopt these technologies.",
  "summary": "Researchers at Monash University release a report exploring what Australians want from our homes in the future.",
  "key_points": [
    "Office and living spaces combined in future homes for multitasking",
    "Adaptable zones for privacy, daylight, ventilation, and power access",
    "33% of homes have or plan to have EVs, with demand for affordable charging"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}