Current trends in housing construction in Poland

Modern housing construction is an extremely dynamic sector of the economy. With the development of technology and increased interest in ecology in housing construction, new trends are emerging. Modern construction strives for sustainability using renewable energy, intelligent building management systems and advanced building technologies.

What trends currently exist in the field of housing construction in Poland?

What trends currently exist in the field of housing construction in Poland?

Green building

One of the main trends in modern construction is a balanced approach to the design and construction of buildings. Sustainable construction strives to minimize negative impacts on the environment through efficient use of natural resources, reduction of CO2 emissions and the use of environmentally friendly and renewable materials. Such buildings are characterized by high energy efficiency and minimal water consumption.

The use of environmental and energy-saving solutions is a new trend in modern housing construction. In the last decade, the importance of sustainable construction and optimization has increased, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and increasing the safety and living comfort of residents of residential complexes.

Until recently, green building solutions in Poland were used mainly in commercial buildings – office buildings, warehouses and public buildings. Only in the last few years have environmentally friendly technologies begun to be used in housing construction.

Every year, developers in Poland are launching more and more “green” investments, in which the use of environmental technologies plays a key role.

More attention is paid to the environmental aspect. Customers are looking not only for comfort and savings, but also for solutions that are safe for health and the environment - in this regard, we see great progress in the technologies available and used.

If green construction means creating places to live that are friendly to the environment and residents, then such residential complexes are still being built sporadically in Poland. An integrated approach to green construction involves the design of residential complexes, both from the point of view of the development itself (for example, the complete transfer of transport underground, the creation of sports grounds and recreation areas), and the use of environmental materials and technologies that save money, water and energy.

Developers do not yet see the potential in the construction of residential complexes in this sense. Implementing a wide range of environmental solutions is often associated with prohibitive costs. However, to a large extent, individual solutions are used, which we will focus on.

About specific examples.

*Introduction of new construction technologies. Technological progress does not bypass the construction industry. Modern construction technologies such as 3D printing, prefabrication or construction work affect the efficiency and speed of projects. Thanks to them, it is possible to reduce construction time, optimize costs and increase execution accuracy.

*Use of environmentally friendly building materials that are beneficial to the health of residents. Wood, recycled brick, clay or eco-friendly concrete provide better insulation, absorb harmful chemicals and are more energy efficient.

More and more new environmentally friendly materials are appearing on the market, the production of which does not have a negative impact on the environment. There is a shift in the raw materials and construction chemicals used in construction investments.

Building materials that claim to be classified as environmentally friendly are subject to comprehensive analysis. The assessment that building materials undergo during the environmental certification process is very strict and precise. Using environmentally friendly materials is not only about caring for the environment, but also an investment in a healthy future.

*The next aspect is reducing the amount of construction waste.

* Covering the roofs of buildings with a biologically active coating, popularly known as a green roof. Green roofs, on the one hand, limit water discharge, and on the other hand, create attractive additional space for residents, help clean the air and help regulate the temperature of the environment and the interior of the building, which, in turn, leads to energy savings.

*Reuse of rainwater for watering plants. Installation of rainwater tanks with a pollution separator.*Installation of green areas in residential complexes that promote physical activity. New investments include jogging and cycling tracks, children's play areas and outdoor gaming tables. Spending free time surrounded by nature is the first step towards consciously using the benefits of the environment, as well as developing respect for nature and the habit of caring for it.

*Providing features that support outdoor physical activity, such as green areas, bike rooms, stroller rooms and creative play areas for children. These include bicycle rental points, thanks to which residents have the opportunity to choose a bicycle instead of a car.

*Installation of containers for separate sorting of household waste.

*Use of joinery products with high insulation and effective ventilation in residential complexes under construction. Use of triple glazed windows.

*Offering many options for additional equipment for the home, for example, external blinds for the roof window, powered by a solar panel. In summer, they protect the attic from excessive sunlight and overheating of the premises, and in winter they can serve as additional protection against heat loss.

Increasing the energy efficiency of residential buildings and apartments

*Introduction of environmental certification. The housing industry is becoming more conscious and developers are primarily optimizing projects in terms of energy consumption. This is due, on the one hand, to growing technical requirements - national and EU - regarding the thermal tightness of buildings and minimizing the demand for primary energy, which leads to a reduction in long-term greenhouse gas emissions.

On the other hand, it is determined by consumers who are aware of the impact of the construction process and the investments themselves throughout their entire life cycle on the environment. They also want to live surrounded by greenery. As a result, environmental certification of apartment buildings is becoming increasingly important.

*Residential building projects are equipped with energy-efficient construction technologies. These include home automation systems, energy recovery elevators, and photovoltaic panels, which significantly reduce the operating costs of common areas and reduce the use of natural resources.

*Use of renewable energy in construction. Modern housing construction is increasingly taking into account the use of renewable energy sources. Photovoltaic panels, solar collectors or wind turbines are just some of the methods for generating energy from renewable sources. This allows buildings to be energy self-sufficient or significantly reduce their energy consumption from the grid. This method of generating electricity is not only cheaper in the long term, but above all, it is environmentally friendly.

*PV panels are also appearing on older buildings as individuals are attracted by favorable financing terms and programs offering financial support to individuals and entrepreneurs who invest in renewable energy. Thanks to photovoltaic panels, residents incur lower operating costs for common areas.

*Replacement of heating sources for buildings. First of all, this applies to central heating running on coal or wood, while heat pumps, for example, are much more often used for this purpose. To ensure that heating with a heat pump is not more expensive than traditional solid fuels, the usual solution is to install photovoltaic systems or wind turbines that use renewable energy sources.

*Prohibition of the use of gas heating boilers in the near future.

*Modern investments include a system for recovering heat from the air leaving the building. Recuperation has many benefits. This is a reduction in costs for residents by more than 30%, and greater comfort - the absence of allergens in the apartment and an improvement in the internal microclimate in winter and summer.

*Use of solar panels to ensure the operation of hot water supply units.

*Use of LED technology, as well as motion and twilight sensors.

*Thermal insulation of buildings.

From April 23, 2023, an energy certificate was introduced in Poland. More details about it can be found here:https://okeask.com/en/category/poleznaya-informaciya/1702907801-energy-certificate-in-poland

Changes in environmental legislation

Recent years have changed a lot in the context of green building. The requirements of the European Union are of great importance in this regard. Both developers and private investors building their own houses had to adapt to them. As an example, it is worth adding that recently the maximum permissible thermal conductivity coefficient of external walls has decreased by almost a quarter. From 2021, stricter energy requirements for new buildings apply.

Tightening standards for heat consumption leads to higher prices for housing construction by developers. However, it is worth understanding that such additional costs, leading to a higher purchase price of new apartments and houses, will gradually pay off due to lower heating bills.

The growing popularity of green building among property developers is evidenced by numerous certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, HQE or Carbon Neutral Company. They evaluate, among other things, the environmental impact of investments and the energy efficiency of buildings. The number of investors belonging to the Polish Green Building Association is growing.

Smart buildings

Smart buildings are another notable trend in housing construction. Advanced building management systems, automation and remote control enable optimal use of energy, improved occupant comfort and safety. Smart buildings use modern technologies such as sensors, control systems and the integration of various devices.

The capabilities of so-called smart homes are growing. In Smart buildings it is not just about controlling lights or external blinds. Today you can lock and open doors from your smartphone. With the development of the IT industry, residents are receiving more tools that provide them with comfort and security.

In recent years, the situation in the world has forced, as it were, the creation of another trend called home office. Experts say the rise of remote work could lead to changes in the construction industry. This may be due, for example, to a change in the layout of apartments, with dedicated space for a home office, as well as the appearance of more offices for rent among the offers. However, this is still more of a forecast than a current trend.

Home control systems are emerging that allow you to control energy consumption.

Decoration of buildings

Modern construction, from an aesthetic point of view, emphasizes functionality rather than ingenuity. You can see for yourself in Polish cities that most new objects are very limited in color and are built in black, white, and shades of gray. A gray façade may not show dirt, but buildings are rarely visually attractive. Therefore, artists are increasingly being invited to cooperate, diversifying the facades of houses with the help of paintings and frescoes. Wall art is also an effective way to refresh the appearance of old buildings and especially panel houses, which are often depressingly drab.

Garages for electric vehicles

In Poland, more and more passenger and commercial vehicles with electric drive are appearing. Electromobility is the future of the automotive industry, and the housing market is also adapting to it. In investments, charging stations for electric vehicles are installed next to parking spaces. In modern garages, special electrical wiring is installed, adapted for fast charging of electric vehicles. Special sockets also appear on the facades of houses if the car is not parked in a garage. With car charging included, the home's connectivity power also increases.

Modern apartment layouts

Trends in housing construction also concern individual projects chosen by developers and investors. According to the State Statistics Service, the average square footage of Polish housing is about 50 m2, and in the case of single-family houses - about 130 m2. Two conclusions emerge from these statistics. The first indicates that smaller and smaller apartments are being built. Over ten years, the area of apartments has decreased by 10 m2. The second aspect is that nowadays every square meter is extremely valuable.

Therefore, one of the most popular trends in housing is the choice of an open kitchen, that is, a room combined with a living room. This way, households get more open space. Kitchenettes have become so common that you can easily find tutorials online on decorating such a kitchen or choosing the right lighting.

Such apartments can be found on our OKEASK website: https://okeask.com/en/property-category/kupit-kvartiry

Modular construction

The section on ecology discussed the search for simpler and more environmentally friendly solutions in construction. This choice is to use modular construction.

Modular construction is an innovative approach based on prefabricated structural elements in a controlled factory environment. The modules, which are fully equipped and finished, are then transported to the construction site and assembled together. This method of construction can reduce project completion time, eliminate errors and reduce construction waste. Modular buildings are flexible and easily modified, making them adaptable to different needs and changes in the future.

The supply of modular houses has been growing rapidly in recent years. Their biggest advantage is their fast implementation time. Back in 2014, the share of prefabricated houses in the housing market was 1.7%. Currently it is 2.5%. Ready-made elements arrive at the construction site, which are then connected to each other. Both construction and installation of equipment for such facilities are much shorter. The construction of these buildings is less energy intensive and therefore more environmentally friendly.

Growing interest in luxury housing

Despite rising costs of building materials, rising interest rates and rising labor costs, the outlook for real estate developers over the next decade remains optimistic. Recent years have been a real boom in development. Trends indicate that this growth may continue, but the direction may change.

There is an increasing interest in properties that are premium and therefore better equipped, in attractive locations, and built using the latest technology. Based on demographic forecasts in Poland, in the coming decades the society will become richer, but at the same time its population will decrease. In this regard, you can already notice the demand for luxury and high-quality real estate.

Nowadays, people have the opportunity to pay more for higher quality, for example, windows, doors or other elements, so as not to incur additional costs later, for example, for heating the house. Therefore, developers offer a high standard of construction that meets these requirements. When building new houses, developers try to adapt to the different needs of residents, which is why there are flexible turnkey finishing offers on the market.

Our website has offers of premium houses: https://okeask.com/en/property-category/doma

Increasing land value

In the last decade, the rise in land prices in Poland has been characterized by exceptional regularity. A well-located plot of land today is an attractive form of investment, especially near large cities. Location now and in the future will be extremely valuable. Forecasts in this aspect are extremely optimistic. Developers personalize investments already at the stage of purchasing a land plot. Later, they direct their projects to relevant groups, such as singles, elderly people, athletes, etc. Thus, developers are expanding their land banks in different locations with different characteristics.

If you are interested in the topic of purchasing land in Warsaw and its suburbs, check them out here: https://okeask.com/en/property-category/zemelnye-uchastki

Rising popularity of rentals

The rental housing market in Poland is at a satisfactory level, however, the demand for this type of housing is one of the main trends in the coming years. Properties considered as investments often end up on rental portals and usually do not wait long for a response. In an era of greater migration of society, renting should be a frequent choice, especially for young Poles. Nowadays, even entire families are less likely to buy an apartment than to rent one.

Data on apartment rentals in Poland in the third quarter of 2023 can be viewed here: https://okeask.com/en/category/poleznaya-informaciya/1701607168-apartment-rentals-in-poland-in-the-third-quarter-of-2023

And here you can get acquainted with the average rental price of apartments in Warsaw in October 2023: https://okeask.com/en/category/poleznaya-informaciya/1701008157-average-apartment-rental-price-in-warsaw-in-october-2023

Prices for rental housing in Warsaw compared to European cities can be found here: https://okeask.com/tr/category/poleznaya-informaciya/1702537378-avrupa-sehirlerine-kiyasla-varsovada-kira-fiyatlari

Our company OKEASK offers a large number of apartments and houses for rent. You can view the apartments for rent at the link: https://okeask.com/en/property-category/apartment-for-rent. And houses for rent are here: https://okeask.com/en/property-category/doma

Digitalization of the housing market

Progressive digitalization is good news for Polish housing construction. Firstly, this is due to the greater availability of various types of documents, such as land records, on the Internet. This means better transaction transparency. Secondly, more formalities can now be completed without leaving home. E-offices allow you to submit applications or permits electronically, which undoubtedly facilitates the entire process associated with the purchase or management of real estate.

These trends will intensify in the market and we will see even greater digitalization in the coming years.

Individual construction

In construction, as in other areas of our life, various trends and modern fashion prevail. These include housing in row houses. The big advantage of such housing is access to the garden. Even a small plot of land that can be developed as a vacation spot is extremely desirable for families looking for their own home.

Small single-family houses, functionally designed and with simple but interesting architecture, are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. It is desirable that they are cheap to operate and energy efficient. They were built quite quickly and cheaply, but beautifully and conveniently. Preferred are houses without a basement, but with a garage and attic.

The number of rooms must correspond to the number of household members, and there must also be a guest room, which can be an office. Optimal would be two bathrooms, a storage room next to the kitchen, a utility room and a dressing room. It is very important to plan a place for the boiler room, preferably with a separate entrance from the garage or outside. If there is network gas, a gas boiler or solid fuel stove is installed. Also fashionable is a fireplace with a heat distribution system or a water jacket.

Poles are increasingly interested in the possibility of installing solar panels in private homes, as well as mechanical ventilation. They require significant costs, but increase the comfort of the home, and also contribute to subsequent savings during operation. As for building materials, most often these are bricks and blocks, as well as aerated concrete and prefabricated elements. No one is surprised by the fact that families who decide to build a house pay attention to ensuring that it is healthy, both for the inhabitants and for the environment.

The latest trends in construction are dominated by modern and energy efficient buildings. Minimalist houses with large glazing and windows that visually expand the living space are strengthening their positions. If the house is further open to nature and perfectly integrated into the environment, it will become a cozy, functional and safe haven for every resident.