New trends in architecture have moved beyond traditional issues of form, function, and aesthetics and are prioritizing holistic benefits over looks. Today’s architects are busy leveraging technology to solve modern challenges like sustainability, livability, energy use, and others through building design.
It is clear that traditional approaches to building design cannot address the impact of climate change on housing, soaring energy costs, livability, parking, light routing, and other issues of modern urban life. Architects are now forced to rethink and find ways to avoid sustainability roadblocks and outdated designs that result in budget blowouts and missed opportunities.
With smaller carbon footprints, energy efficiency, and sustainability becoming non-negotiable, there is rapid adoption of modular construction, parametric design, smart buildings, and sustainable materials in construction. Architecture 3D modeling is also playing a key role, allowing architects to visualize, simulate, and refine designs to meet energy efficiency standards and environmental goals. Architects are now involving community input to shape the built environment in a way that reflects local values and needs.
Architectural trends are now all about leveraging new technologies and designing buildings that respond to occupant needs, encourage interaction, and tackle complex challenges like resource use and depletion. We’re seeing a convergence of trends in architecture prizing utility over looks, and here we’ve taken a look at ten of them, which are redefining our built environment.
The Q2 2021 European Architectural Barometer from the USP Marketing Consultancy reported that 44% of European architects were using Building Information Modeling (BIM) in 2021. Source: USP Marketing consultancy
Top 10 Emerging Trends in the World of Architecture
Architectural sustainability: A blueprint for potent design and construction
Architectural sustainability needs are transforming the way buildings are designed and built. This trend involves the use of eco-friendly building materials, fuels energy optimization and reduces the overall carbon footprint at every project phase. Utilizing sustainable design and green buildings is critical for architects who seek to design and build robust and future-proof structures.
Tools like One Click LCA enable architects to analyze the overall environmental footprint of their designs, guiding material choices. DFMA complements this approach by optimizing resource use and minimizing waste during manufacturing and assembly. Incorporating MMC, with its inherent efficiency and reduced construction waste, further enhances project sustainability.
Source:Think Architecture
Adaptive reuse: Breathing new life into old structures
Adaptive reuse requires repurposing existing buildings for new requirements and functions. This strategy lowers demolition waste, preserves architectural significance, and reduces the carbon footprint using various architectural styles and materials. Analysis of a building’s structural integrity and identification of required modifications helps architects in converting outdated areas into functional and vibrant spaces while preserving their cultural and historical identity.
Credit: Terminal Refrigerating and Warehousing Building in Washington, DC (Source:Constro Facilitator)
Parametric design: Blending algorithms with architectural creativity
Parametric design is a computational methodology that uses parameters and algorithms to create complex spatial layouts and optimize building performance. Manipulation of variables, including material specifications, environmental conditions, and structural limitations, helps architects in considering multiple design prototypes and customizing striking architecture.
Credit: Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid Architects (Source: Arquitectura Viva)
Salutogenic design: Architecture that nurtures the body and mind
Salutogenic or wellness-driven designs incorporate the mental and physical well-being of occupants within a building. It includes factors such as ventilation, natural light, space ergonomics, and stress-lowering technology. It highlights the impact of buildings on the occupant’s health and productivity, which aims at producing spaces that facilitate relaxation, healing, and holistic wellness.
Santa Rita Geriatric Center / Manuel Ocaña. Image Courtesy of Manuel Ocaña(Source:Archdaily)
Vertical architecture – Recreating urban design in the sky
Vertical architecture is a response to space scarcity and higher urbanization. It increases usability areas through vertical design and construction incorporating advanced structural systems, high-speed elevators, and greater energy-efficiency within design. It also uses core-supported structures and exoskeletons to achieve greater stability. Incorporating vertical architecture leads to greater sustainability and lower space footprints.
Credit: Modern Skyscrapers – Urban Design Forum (Source: illustrarch.com)
AR and VR: Transforming visualization with immersive technology
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have transformed architectural representations and design workflows. Overlaying AR-based digital information on real-world information helps clients to realize an immersive experience of the proposed design.
Virtual Reality (VR) builds an immersive environment that helps architects modulate design and flag potential issues before onsite work begins. These tools improve collaboration, make decision making seamless, and enhance project outcomes.
Source: RealSpace Vision Communication Inc.
Modular construction: Seamless design and building for a faster and greener future
Modular construction involves the prefabrication of building components at offsite locations and controlled spaces. While the assembly takes place onsite, this strategy streamlines building timelines, lowers waste, and enhances quality control. Modular construction fosters flexibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, which makes it a viable option for traditional design and construction.
Image showing modular units are installing at site (Source:Civil Engineering Study)
Resilient architecture: Architectural design to tackle unforeseen challenges
Resilient architecture is a design methodology that prioritizes durability and adaptability. It focuses on designing and building structures that can withstand the impacts of climate change, recover faster from natural disasters, and other setbacks.
Utilizing advanced structural systems, resilient materials, and backup systems helps buildings stay functional and secure in adverse situations to safeguard occupants and reduce damage.
Moreover, BIM technologies streamline workflows, enabling architects to save up to 10% of their project time. These tools also benefit technologists, reducing their time spent on projects by 20%. Collectively, these efficiencies can slash the overall project creation time by a substantial 20% to 50%.
Source:Constructive Voices
Biophilic design: Bringing nature into architectural design
Biophilic design is an approach inspired by natural elements that are integrated within built spaces to improve occupant productivity and well-being. It incorporates elements like water and plants, and indirect elements like patterns and materials, and spatial layouts that replicate the natural landscape.
Making a connection with nature using biophilic design lowers stress, enhances air quality, and creates an inspiring design.
IHI Innovation Center [i-Base] / Nikken Sekkei. Photo: © Nacasa & Partners (Source:Archdaily)
Smart construction: Digital transformation for a smarter future
Smart construction enriches digital technologies across the entire building lifecycle, starting from design to construction, and operations. It uses BIM, IoT sensors, AI, and drone technology to improve processes, enhance efficiency, and augment building performance.
Smart construction facilitates real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, and faster decision-making, leading to sustainable and safer design. MMC’s compatibility with technologies like BIM improves precision and coordination throughout the project. Its flexibility also suits adaptive reuse projects, enabling seamless integration of new structures into existing buildings. As the demand for efficient, sustainable, and resilient buildings rises, MMC will play a crucial role in architecture and construction.
Source:AlwaysAI
Wrapping it up
The future of architecture is about carving spaces that are inspirational, nurturing, and adaptive to an evolving world. The ten emerging trends in architecture listed above highlight a movement toward an advanced, sustainable, and human-centric architectural design.
Embracing these trends can help architectural firms transform the built environment to protect the planet and enhance the lives of occupants.
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About Co-Author:
Bhushan Avsatthi, Director of BIM Services at TrueCADD (A sub-division of HitechDigital). An architect with over 20 years’ experience in the AEC industry, Bhushan leads a 200+ strong team of BIM professionals at HitechDigital. He commands a successful track record of having delivered 1,000+ complex projects across hospitals, hotels, malls, airports etc. Bhushan’s focus on operational excellence relies on integration of technology tools, automation and lean techniques.
