It can also involve adding elements that essentially lay dormant for now, and only become useful in the future when something changes. For example, extra reinforcement in certain wall cavities to allow for the installation of grab bars when the occupants age.

Think of it like those gorgeous lime green, burnt orange and mission brown kitchens of the 1970s. At the time, they were state-of-the-art and modern, everything a potential homebuyer could hope for. But as time and tastes moved on, renovators replaced the 70s kitchens with new ones to suit modern tastes and requirements. Nowadays Developers use neutral colour schemes in a new build because neutral doesn't go out of fashion as quickly as the current colour trends - in essence, neutral is the interior design version of future-proofing.

So let's take a look at some key areas where you, as a Developer, can potentially future-proof your Development.

Save Energy - Save the Environment

While things such as solar panels are becoming more common on new builds, there are lots of interesting advances occurring in this space. Roof tiles and landscaping elements that double as solar panels, for example, are just the tip of the iceberg.

The types of materials you use for the build can also be altered to include more environmentally-friendly products. The same goes for any appliances in the build - look for those with the highest possible energy rating.

And there's the design of the building itself - harnessing thermal mass to reduce energy costs, capturing rainwater for household needs, and including a charging station for electric vehicles are a few to start the list.

There's a huge range of possibilities to choose from if you want your buildings to be more energy efficient and reduce environmental impact, as well as saving money on bills. Given the marketplace's increasing focus on climate change, these types of elements can definitely be used as a point of difference when it comes time to sell.

New Technologies

Given how fast technology is expanding, to the point that it's being applied to almost every aspect of our lives, it's difficult to know how best to keep up. Certainly the indications are that our homes will progressively become "smarter" and more connected.

Currently it's worth ensuring you supply wiring which meets existing needs, while making sure both the capacity and accessibility is there to upgrade in the future. Consider installing accessible cavities so that devices can be stored out of sight. Nobody wants to bash a hole in a wall to run some new cable, so look at providing easy access for retrofitting in the future.

Design Flexibility

This area of future-proofing is very much at the top of the list after so many people have had to adapt their living spaces to include working from home. After all, you can't conduct a business meeting on Zoom with kids perched at the table beside you working online with their teacher.

But design flexibility is much broader. Where to put those stray guests from interstate who end up staying for a month instead of one night? Or the divorced child moving back with a couple of small children in tow? And what to do when you get older and stairs become an issue?

Thinking through a design to make sure it can be flexible enough to accommodate all sorts of changes in life situations is more important than ever. Can the media room on the ground floor have a small bathroom next door, just in case you want to convert it into a bedroom and ensuite to avoid stairs? How about a room with good soundproofing that doubles as a Zoom room?

You can take it a step further and actually use build methods that allow walls to be moved around with minimal disruption, but that's a whole other level of flexibility!