Reading the changing housing preferences of the digital generation

A building is like a poem. It speaks to its users and the surrounding community without uttering a word.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Owning a large house with a spacious garden was once a symbol of success for many Indonesians. In the past, the bigger the house one owned, the higher the social status that was perceived to be attached to its owner.

However, that measure of success is slowly shifting.

Amid urban growth, lifestyle changes, and the development of digital technology, the younger generation is beginning to view housing in a different way. A home is no longer judged by the size of its land or the number of its rooms. What is more important is flexibility, ease of mobility, and its ability to support daily activities.

Senior architect Dody Tjahjadi sees this change as part of the social transformation occurring in Indonesia.

According to him, Generation Z, born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s, grew up in a different environment compared to previous generations. They live in the era of the internet, social media, and digital services that have changed the way they work, interact, and even choose where to live.

“In the past, a house was for sleeping, eating with the family, and resting. Now, a house is also a place to work, create content, and carry out many other activities,” said Dody.

These changing needs have caused the concept of housing to evolve. For many young people, location is now more important than size.

Dwellings close to public transport, shopping centres, workplaces, sports facilities, and gathering spots are considered more attractive than a large house located far from the centre of activity.

Private vehicle ownership is also no longer an absolute necessity. The presence of ride-hailing services and the increasing choice of public transport mean that some young people prefer to live close to various facilities rather than having to own a car themselves.

These choices also influence the design of housing that is currently developing.

Compact apartments, mixed-use areas that combine residential and commercial functions, and transit-oriented development (TOD) concepts are increasingly in demand because they are considered capable of answering the needs of a modern lifestyle.

Multifunctional homes