Emerging Trends Among UHNWIs
As premium architects, LA London designs and delivers exceptional properties for the world’s most discerning clients, whose tastes evolve to embrace new innovations, technology, and trends. We frequently work with ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) on their homes, observing and embracing new developments in luxury, convenience, and smart home tech. We’ve hand-picked some of the key trends we’ve seen recently in the world of prime residential architecture and design.
More US Buyers
Thanks to a strong dollar and political uncertainty surrounding the new administration, we're observing an increase in activity from US clients and buying agents in London. “Daniel Daggers, from Daniel Daggers Real Estate, will be attending the Inman Connect Conference in New York this week; as his luxury-focused firm reports a 70% rise in US buyer searches”, notes LA London Partner, Kathryn Archer. We have seen a significant rise in Canadian and American buyers, who currently represent the leading international investors in London. The advantageous exchange rate combined with a shared language and access to prestigious schools and universities makes London properties an even more appealing investment for US buyers.
Next-Gen Buyers
Traditionally, our clients have always come from affluent backgrounds, but today we are working with younger clients who are self-made entrepreneurs and businesspeople generating their own wealth from a young age. With this shift, design preferences are also evolving. Younger clients tend to favour more innovative designs compared with the more traditional briefs and styles of the past. For instance, one client, a young family, chose not to install a lift – usually a prerequisite for any premium London home – accepting five flights of stairs instead. The decision to forgo a lift may be because of the additional usable square footage it creates, as lifts can occupy significant space. This trend is also closely associated with a younger generation that is increasingly conscious of health and fitness.
Electromagnetic shielding
Transparent electromagnetic wave-shielding glass is gaining popularity among UHNWIs. WAVETRAP is designed to safeguard individuals and their sensitive information from unwelcome intrusions from the outside world. One of our ultra-health-conscious clients requested the glass throughout his property to protect his young family from possibly harmful electromagnetic waves. EM wave-shielding glass also improves the performance and reliability of devices by reducing the level of electromagnetic radiation present within an environment. Security and cybersecurity are of great importance to all our clients, and WAVETRAP is one of many new ways of enhancing that protection.
The Home Sensorium
Sensorium, designed by the masterminds at LightField London, is a next-generation, multi-dimensional experiential room designed for the home of the future. It creates infinite moods, environments, memories, and ideas in your personal, real-time 3D digital space. For clients, it might be in a basement space with a set of screens connected to LightField’s system, powered by Unreal Engine. Clients can enter the space for a yoga or meditation session and transform the room into whatever environment they wish: a Himalayan viewpoint, the desert, or the beach. But it’s not just a visual experience; the team at LightField want to stimulate other senses too, with 360º sound and smell to get people as close to the real experience as possible. We foresee LightField’s Sensorium being a must-have for the future of the UHNWI home. You can read more about Sensorium here.
Private Wellness Facilities
UHNWIs are investing in private wellness facilities within their homes more than ever. These bespoke spaces offer personalised environments where our clients can escape the stresses of daily life and focus on mental and physical rejuvenation. In addition to gyms, swimming pools, massage and meditation spaces, in the majority of our projects, clients are often looking to incorporate a sauna or infrared sauna and an ice bath – installing such amenities at home offers both convenience and privacy. This trend reflects an understanding of the value of self-care and the role it plays in enhancing overall quality of life. It also makes good use of the space in basements that don’t benefit from the same levels of natural light as other floors.
Colour Drenching
Colour drenching is an interior design trend that involves using a single colour, or shades of a single colour, across multiple elements in a room. This technique creates a cohesive and immersive environment by applying the chosen colour to walls, ceilings, doors, and even furniture. The idea is to envelop the space in a rich, uniform hue, which can add depth and character to a room. The idea dates back to the Victorian era but is making a resurgence, with many clients requesting a colour-drenched entertainment or reception room. The palette chosen for these rooms tends to be a deeper, saturated earthy tone, greens, warm browns and terracotta. Greige’ is on the way out and homes are getting a whole lot more colourful!
The Demise of Front-of-House Kitchens
Until recently, a high-end home typically featured both a family kitchen and a staff kitchen. The family kitchen was spacious, equipped with cooking facilities and large refrigerators, allowing the family to engage in casual cooking or enabling a cook to work near or alongside a breakfast bar or family dining area. In contrast, the catering kitchen was located in the back of the house, serving as the domain for chefs handling more formal dining and entertaining. However, we are now observing a trend where family cooking spaces are diminishing, often reduced to a small serving area with just a drinks fridge.
The ever-evolving landscape of luxury property reflects the changing priorities and tastes of UHNWIs. These trends, from private wellness facilities and colour drenching to the demise of front-of-house kitchens and the rise of US buyers, all point towards a future where prime residential properties are not just symbols of wealth, but also sanctuaries of well-being, expressions of personal style, and technologically-advanced havens. As the next generation of UHNWIs emerges, we can expect to see further innovation and adaptation in the design and functionality of luxury homes, driven by a desire for personalised experiences, seamless integration of technology, and a focus on health and sustainability.