By Nathan Casteel, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Mixed-use leader | Principal, DLR Group

The emergence of Generation Z in the housing market has sparked a transformative shift, compelling developers, owners and designers to reimagine the typical living environment. Through DLR Group’s brand promise, we seek to elevate the human experience through design. As we rethink the role of residential space for an evolving user, how can design be leveraged to craft environments that evoke relaxation, inspiration, locale, comfort, safety and togetherness?

Experiential Living

Appealing to prospective residents means delivering an atmosphere people are drawn to. By tapping into hospitality design principles, generic spaces are transformed into experiences, creating lively and inviting environments that bring a buzz of excitement to all inhabitants. Each aspect of the design should be carefully curated to maintain holistic engagement, enticing people to explore the building’s potential. From amenities and community spaces to artwork that creates an aesthetic focused on local charm. By infusing locality throughout the space and putting thoughtful design into the interiors, these design moments echo the city’s aesthetic and capture what makes the community unique. These living spaces should evoke a homey feel with elevated details, providing residents with a reprieve from their outside lives in a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere.

Togetherness Amenities

Amenities must resonate, serve a purpose and genuinely appeal to residents. Amenities that once caught the eyes of residents, like gyms and outdoor dog spaces, have become standard. Generation Z values community spaces and opportunities for social interactions within their living environment like recreation options, rooftop pools, co-working spaces and music rooms. Amenities like this bring the benefits of urban living inside one’s own residence and encourage a community-driven environment. When thoughtfully planned, these spaces flow naturally throughout the building, amplifying engagement through easy-to-navigate positioning.

Prime Real Estate

Locality matters. Commuters prefer to be close to their primary destinations, many of which are dense urban cores. In urban cities, the metrics to make a viable project focus on maximizing unit counts. Land value and construction costs are at a premium; thus, creating more units adds value, and these units tend to be smaller, making amenity offerings and adaptable design more critical. Using a geographic information system and spatial analysis can also provide a deeper dive into understanding the demographic and design elements needed to maximize the value of the property.

In turn, the older side of Generation Z is now looking toward the long term and building families. For many, this means a move to suburban areas. With remote work and the “slow living” lifestyle on the rise, locality can be the determining factor in choosing a residence. In such neighborhoods, amenities are less valued than green spaces and proximity to necessities such as grocery stores and schools. New developments in central locations create walkable communities, less reliant on cars, promoting healthy living.

By working with the community and housing advocates, we aim to deliver living environments that fit within the context and become an amenity to the community. By providing public spaces, incorporating local art and artists, and a retail program to draw in the community, housing projects create an ecosystem in which all needs are within the grasp of its residents.

View Nathan’s bio here