British homes could soon be built by 3D printer, expert says in astonishing prediction

British families could be opting for 3D printed-properties, houseboats and multi-generational homes by 2040 - according to a new AI prediction of future British living.

Over the next three decades, AI forecasts a sea-change in how we build and live, with greener, more flexible dwellings that are tuned into nature.

The trends are revealed by home-building show Grand Designs Live with host Kunle Barker telling the Daily Express that sustainability should remain at its heart.

He said: "It’s vital we make our spaces work harder and use design to deliver everything we need from our homes.

"AI is a great tool to aid natural creativity within the industry. It can speed up the design process and give more time for thought and contemplation, which is always a good thing.

"I would love to live in a 3D-printed home! The technology allows for more creative architectural designs, such as intricate curves and bespoke features, which are often prohibitively expensive with traditional construction methods."

But he said we need to create concrete with a significantly reduced carbon footprint to make 3D printed homes a ‘truly sustainable option’

The AI predictions for the rest of the 2020s highlight so-called biophilic design – connecting with nature using indoor plants, natural light, and sustainable materials to improve well-being.

The boom in 3D printed homes- using large 3D printers to layer materials- is expected in the 2030s when advancements in construction technology lead to its more widespread use.

Virtual Reality is also set to become a standard tool for home design in the next decade, allowing homeowners to virtually experience and customise their living spaces before they are built.

Modular furniture will make for a more efficient use of space, while there will be a move away from open -plan as several generations of the same family try to find some privacy within the confines of living together.

Floating homes already exist in the UK but by the 2040s more water-based architecture is likely - to tackle land scarcity and environmental concerns, particularly in flood-prone areas.

Carbon-neutral and energy-positive home designs will also become more widespread; as will the demand for holistic wellness spaces prompting meditation rooms, air purification systems, and circadian lighting- which follows the natural rhythms of the internal human clock.

Barker added: "I am a huge advocate of biophilic design and love how people are increasingly incorporating indoor plants in their homes.

"It’s not just about greener living and sustainability, although sustainability should remain at the heart of the things we do, but it also allows us to connect to nature, which benefits our mental and physical wellbeing.”

"What’s also interesting is the need for multigenerational living spaces and what the driving force behind it will be.

"It could be a combination of many things, such as rising mortgage costs. Essentially, people will want to create a home where they can share it with family but still have their own privacy."

He said it was "no surprise" however to see holistic wellness spaces as a trend in the 2040s.

"People are already renovating extra rooms into home gyms, so it won’t be long until meditation rooms and air purification become part of any homeowners’ dream."

While sustainability shouldn’t be seen as a "trend," he said the fact that AI had predicted that it will stay made him "hopeful".

"As homes are a big emitter of greenhouse gases, having widespread adoption of carbon neutral homes that are built to last and contribute positively to the environment would be a huge step in the right direction.

"However, whether this happens as imminently in the 2040s, is up for debate."

Grand Designs Live runs from May 4-12 at ExCeL, London. Tickets, from £13, are available from the Grand Designs Live website: https://www.granddesignslive.com/ticket-info  

Join Kunle Barker for a talk on AI at 12 noon on Sunday May 12th.