You'll notice a difference if you walk through any new residential development in the bigger metropolitan areas these days. Homes are no longer being sold only on the strength of location or a checklist of amenities. Builders now talk about energy savings, indoor air standards, sensor-enabled devices, green ratings, and even how a layout can reduce stress inside a crowded household. It appears that the industry has subtly entered a new stage that combines technology with an increasing awareness of environmental issues.Walk through any new residential project in the larger metros today, and you’ll notice something different. Homes are no longer being sold only on the strength of location or a checklist of amenities. Builders now talk about energy savings, indoor air standards, sensor-enabled devices, green ratings, and even how a layout can reduce stress inside a crowded household. It feels like the sector has quietly slipped into a new phase, one that blends technology with a rising environmental conscience.
Purchasers are better informed than ever, particularly in the top seven cities. After comparing layouts, certifications, connectivity scores, and even utility consumption projections online for weeks, the majority of potential homeowners finally show up.
According to Amit Modi, Director, County Group, green-certified housing, in particular, is gaining momentum.
"With IGBC and GRIHA registrations surpassing five-figure milestones, India's standing in the global league tables for green construction is growing. These certifications are no longer looked at as niche badges but as assurances of reduced operating expenses. Month after month, household budgets reflect the fact that many certified buildings use significantly less water and electricity than conventional ones, according to Modi.
If sustainability defines the long-term economics, technology shapes daily convenience. Much more quickly than anticipated, connected appliances, smart locks, and app-based controls have made their way into mid-range homes. Behind the scenes, the construction and sales processes are being reshaped by property technology. These days, developers mainly rely on data tools to monitor trends in demand or adjust prices. Blockchain experiments in land records have demonstrated early promise in speeding up verification.
Even within India, families have reorganised their daily lives in ways that make flexible housing more important. With remote work now stabilising into hybrid arrangements, many households are looking for a quiet study or even an extra nook that can be put to several uses. High-speed internet access, once an afterthought, is a service that has now assumed prominence almost akin to that of water supply.
The Indian real estate industry is going through a major transition where innovation and accountability go hand in hand, according to Mitul Jain, Managing Director of SPJ Group.
"This shift didn’t happen overnight, as the mix of rising incomes, the experience of the pandemic years, and a generation of buyers accustomed to digital conveniences has reshaped what Indians expect from their homes. The industry is seeing projects planned and designed with an emphasis on fine detailing, which reflects and enables them as homes or buildings ready for the future. The idea of the earlier focus on square footage is giving way to a search for efficiency, health, and long-term value. The industry is witnessing projects that are not only futuristic and practical but also resilient, environmentally conscious, and long-lasting thanks to the integration of smart automation, climate-adaptive design, and sustainable construction, according to Jain.
Terrace gardens, shaded courtyards, small areas of urban farming, and common areas that incorporate natural elements into daily life are examples of biophilic design, though it is still not widely used.
Sustainability, both as a showpiece and as a practical necessity, is a key factor driving this shift. Another notable shift is the growing weight assigned to health and well-being in home design. Many families experienced poor indoor air quality during the pandemic and have not forgotten it. A greater interest in homes with cross-ventilation, natural light, and cleaner air has resulted from this memory. Homebuyers inquired more about clubhouses and parking spaces a few years ago. Now queries on water management and air purification come up far more often,” Shyamrup Roy Choudhury, Founder and Managing Director, Aura World, concluded.
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