Nearly half of all architects would choose bigger windows, more daylight and more natural ventilation as a result of their experience of the Covid pandemic, according to a survey of how it has changed their attitudes to residential design.

The research, commissioned by AluK among members of the Manchester Society of Architects, revealed that nearly 70% had changed their approach to residential design as a result of it , and more than 30% said that it had specifically affected their design approach to fenestration.

More home working space and more outdoor space also scored highly in the survey. In terms of fenestration, 49% of respondents said they are likely to include more openable windows in future residential and commercial spaces to improve natural ventilation, 48% said they would be looking for ways to increase daylight, and 45% were considering integrating more and larger windows in their schemes.

AluK marketing director Sioned Roberts says the findings present a whole raft of potential new opportunities for aluminium fabricators and installers and bear out what pundits and commentators have been predicting since the advent of the ‘new normal’ and working from home during lockdown.

 “Our market has obviously been head down and focused on keeping up with demand since last summer,” she said, “But we very much need to be aware of how that demand is likely to shift once we move out of lockdown.

“It’s valuable then to get real evidence and figures to back up what we all perhaps sensed was likely to happen. Architects are obviously key drivers of change in our market so a better understanding of what they are thinking and planning is critical

“In residential terms, we can see definite trends towards extensions and garden buildings for working from home, which present great opportunities for both our sliders and bi-folds. Similarly, more external space extends beyond just gardens and also includes balconies which is more good news for our range of sliding patios in particular.

“And, more daylight doesn’t just mean bigger windows but also slimmer sightlines, which is where our 58BW and new C70S window systems will help customers to win business.

“There’s lots to feel optimistic about as we look towards the end of lockdown, particularly for those businesses, like AluK, which have the resources and operational efficiency to be able to meet demand.”

www.aluk.co.uk

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