Throughout 2023, the perception of luxury living has undergone a distinct transformation, combining opulence with smart, sustainable, wellness-oriented lifestyles. This blend has emerged as the pinnacle of modern residential luxury with rising environmental concerns and personal wellbeing at its roots.
The integration of sustainable, smart living into residential spaces has gained significant traction, marking a notable shift towards green living. This is exemplified by the widespread use of eco-friendly building materials, such as recycled metals, low-impact concrete, and reclaimed wood. These materials not only enhance the overall aesthetics of homes, but also improve indoor air quality and reduce the negative environmental footprint left by harmful construction items.
A strong emphasis has also been placed on water conservation, exemplified by LAMDA Development’s Ellinikon project in Greece. The design includes a network of water sensors that will provide indoor and outdoor water consumption monitoring and management, as well as stormwater management. The Ellinikon’s Riviera Tower – soon to be Greece’s first skyscraper at 200 meters high – similarly emphasizes sustainability, as it is pre-certified with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) v4 BD +C at a Gold Level. This certification is one that many luxury residences pursue to underscore their commitment to environmental responsibility and 2023 has only seen this grow. However, sustainability is not exclusive to The Ellinikon project, as seen by Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, the new urban area that is set to be powered by clean energy only and places a great focus on the eco-friendly aspects of the project.
In addition, smart home integration has become a staple aspect in luxury residences, keeping with popular AI trends. Voice-activated controls, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Echo, have become household essentials, allowing residents to easily control lighting, thermostats and entertainment systems. Advanced security systems such as doorbell cameras, motion sensors, and facial recognition, have similarly grown in popularity, strengthening home security with real-time alerts. Mobile apps from home automation companies also provide convenient remote control of smart devices, exemplifying the era’s commitment to seamless and efficient living.
In 2023, wellness-oriented living has been repeatedly fused with smart sustainability. Luxury residences increasingly feature amenities such as massage rooms, spa facilities, meditation rooms, and modern fitness centers. These features, alongside versatile layouts and customizable design spaces allow residents to opt for a health-conscious lifestyle that caters to both mental and physical wellbeing. This can be exemplified by Royal Palm Companies’ (RPC) commitment to combine luxury and wellness travel in one complete package. The Legacy Hotel & Residences in Miami will include the world’s first Blue Zones Centre, a 170,000-square-foot medical and wellness center offering visitors everything from surgeries to health therapies and spa treatments. In this luxury hotel complex, guests can access a wide range of services along with top-notch amenities, guaranteeing their comfort throughout their stay. Guided by the principles of Blue Zones for longevity, every aspect, from the wellness center to its amenities, has been included with a nod to well-balanced living.
Wellness-oriented living can also be explored by looking once again to Lamda Development’s Ellinikon project and its inclusion of biophilic, green features such as the “hanging gardens” or green facades that also promote thermal insulation and reduce carbon dioxide. The incorporation of such features sets a tranquil tone to the exteriors of the project and demonstrates how seamlessly wellness and sustainability intertwine across luxury residences.
The seamless blend of smart sustainability with amenities that enrich wellness-oriented living has redefined the status of luxury living in 2023. This landscape stands as a testament to our commitment to a more green, convenient and wellness-driven future, one which caters to both the environment and residents’ mental and physical health.
