The Extended House as Response to the Post-pandemic Housing Needs: Hints from the Real Estate Market

Abstract

The paper presents a study of new ways of living in response to the crisis from Covid 19-pandemic. In 2020, with the arrival of the pandemic and the repeated lockdowns, the limitations of apartments, conceived in a minimalist key that characterized the 20th century, were evident, especially due to the absence of common spaces; in fact, the concept of home has changed, becoming places used for the most varied activities previously carried out outside of them (e.g., work, study, culture, leisure, etc.). In the light of this, there is an increasing need for homes that are “More than living”, i.e., equipped with free spaces (study rooms, terraces, gardens, gyms, etc.) that can allow these activities to take place and satisfy the changing needs of users. However, these homes are not always affordable for everyone, which is why many families are opting for more peripheral locations where, instead, it is possible to access larger homes with outdoor spaces. In this context, the contribution analyzes, based on a questionnaire submit to a sample of consumers, the willingness of users to live in houses where access spaces are shared. This could allow for more work and leisure space without resulting in an excessive increase in the rent or market price of the property. The first results obtained confirm the thesis that argues that the type of co-housing, or rather of the extended house, can be a valid response to new housing needs by making the use of accessory spaces accessible and affordable.