Guidelines for Home Design in the New Normal Era in Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to study home design guidelines in this new era in Thailand. The data were collected by conducting a semi-structured interview with three groups of key informants, including five participants – academics and real estate experts, five participants – residential project developers listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and home builders, the members of the Association of Home Builders of Thailand, and five participants – architects of a design company using design thinking, which is a creative human-centered problem-solving approach to better meet the needs of residents. Moreover, they are housing designers and developers in Thailand. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The research results revealed that the home design principle consistent with Thai residents’ new normal era behavior is a house with feel-good qualities, including flexibility, good hygiene, security, privacy, environmental friendliness, and convenience. In the new-normal era, homes should have private spaces to work or study from home, multi-purpose areas, an enlarged kitchen and increased functionality, a designated parcel receiving area, and/or a storage area. The building assembly system installation that enhances good health and comfort in living is also recommended. These valuable, novelty results might also lead to Thailand's real estate business development trends. Not only for housing residential designers and developers but also for other related business suppliers associated with new product development for home innovative inventions and technologies in the future.