How will our future homes look and function? IKEA’s vision of it is a plant-filled, self-sustaining haven.
And …
IKEA has made this vision come alive in Szczecin, Poland’s greenest city.
Housed in an abandoned 120-year-old apartment building, the IKEA Home of Tomorrow is an experimental showcase of self-sustaining circular design solutions.
It offers a peek into what’s possible when we design and live with greater intentionality and harmony with nature.
Visitors to the venue will learn about the new role of houseplants. They’ll find new, efficient ways to process waste. Even regenerate themselves with light and try cooking (and eating) zero waste cuisine.
As per Dwell, Polish designers Joanna Jurga, Paulina Grabowska, and Justyna Puchalska created the 2,700-square-foot concept home in response to looming global issues including climate change, dwindling natural resources, and indoor air quality—a growing concern for those spending more time indoors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
A circular process
At the heart of the home is a soil-free indoor garden employing aquaponics, hydroponics and aeroponics to grow a range of vegetables, microgreens, fruits and spirulina.
Waste generated during food preparation is then composted and turned into a natural fertilizer for the plants. And thus the metabolic process goes on and on.
Room full of ideas
Visitors to the Home of Tomorrow are free to explore all the rooms, with each room serving different functions.
There’s a Home Farm that displays scalable urban farming solutions.
A Creative Zone where experienced carpenters teach visitors to renovate worn-out furniture and give them a second life. (Sounds like IKEA hacking to me!)
There is also a Home Sun room, an installation that imitates sunlight. The light will help the body rest and boost a person’s energy levels. In another installation, made of 100 TRÅDFRI light bulbs, visitors will experience the effects of light colours on their body and the surroundings.
And before visitors leave, they can head to the Planning Space. In here, visitors will learn how to make their kitchen and whole house more friendly towards the planet and its resources. Visitors can meet with IKEA Kitchen Specialists to create a practical and functional kitchen design for free.
Can’t get to Poland?
You can participate in this initiative without leaving your home. Help IKEA create solutions that will reduce waste in Szczecin. (Update: This program has ended.)