Page 25 - Allisons Magazine Summer 2021 Issue 02
P. 25

or many people, 2020’s COVID-19            even more privacy and separation. These spaces can be
                                 Optimizing the                                                                                              restrictions resulted in a double          ideal for virtual classrooms, reinforcing the separation
                                                                                                                                             whammy of both professional
                                                                                                                                                                                        between work time and playtime, and school and home
                                    Home for the                                                                                  F and personal adjustments. Along                     for online learning.
                                                                                                                                   with managing the new normal in their
                                                                                                                                   jobs, parents became teachers, tutors, and
                                                                                                                                                                                        SMART HOME ENHANCEMENTS
                          Work-from-Home                                                                                           counselors as they helped their children             The added convenience of smart home features can
                                                                                                                                   navigate the virtual classroom environment.
                                                                                                                                                                                        help enhance the working and learning environment
                                                                                                                                   Now, as some areas are still teaching with
                                                                                                                                                                                        and the comfort level for students and their parents.
                                    Model                   written by:                                                            a hybrid model and working from home is              Smart outlets, lighting, and temperature controls can

                                                                                                                                   becoming the norm, adults are continuing to
                                                                                                                                                                                        help offset the increased power usage that comes with
                                                            CHRISTY MURDOCK EDGAR
                                                                                                                                   juggle the demands of virtual work and school        multiple home offices, virtual classrooms, and more
                                                                                                                                   with all of their other daily tasks.                 time spent at home.


                                                                                                                                   How virtual school and work is                       Smart home integration can help parents run things
                                                                                                                                   changing the home environment                        more efficiently while working from home, even as
                                                                                                                                   While the expansion of a permanent work-from-        they’re called upon to supervise their children’s study
                                                                                                                                   home structure is on track to change the corporate   time. In addition, smart appliances and cleaning

                                                                                                                                   environment indefinitely, most parents see virtual   solutions can offset the additional wear and tear placed
                                                                                                                                   school as a temporary response to the pandemic. Still,   on the home environment by the round-the-clock
                                                                                                                                   with some families foreseeing the possibility of ongoing   demands of a growing family.
                                                                                                                                   online or hybrid schooling and others finding that the
                                                                                                                                   virtual classroom works better for their children, many   UPGRADED TECH INFRASTRUCTURE
                                                                                                                                   families are making long-term changes to facilitate   All of that extra technology requires upgraded wiring
                                                                                                                                   virtual classroom environments.                      and more powerful internet access. Parents may be



                                                                                                                                   MORE PRIVATE SPACES
                                                                                                                                   While open floor plans remain popular, the rise in       Spaces that convert for multiple
                                                                                                                                                                                            uses may make it easier
                                                                                                                                   telecommuting and online learning has reinforced the
                                                                                                                                   need for more private, separate spaces. Many current     to set up an office or
                                                                                                                                   homebuyers are looking for extra bedrooms, flexible
                                                                                                                                   living spaces, multiple home offices, and other areas    a virtual classroom in
                                                                                                                                   where they can have the privacy they need for Zoom       another room of the home, like a
                                                                                                                                   classrooms and meetings.
                                                                                                                                                                                            little-used formal dining room or


                                                                                                                                   Homes with garage apartments, guest or pool houses,      guest bedroom.
                                                                                                                                   or accessory dwelling units are also popular, providing


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