Design trends that are shaping the future of architecture.

Times are changing and new trends are constantly popping up. Let’s zoom into some of the most popular upcoming architectural trends.

  1. Indoor Outdoor Living

The seamless movement between indoor and outdoor continues as a strong trend with design becoming more innovative and bolder to allow for greater comfort and enjoyment of this type of lifestyle. Think sliding glass panels that slide into the wall to completely open the indoor living area to the patio and floor tiles that work both inside and out to create one continuous area. Outdoor kitchens are also becoming a desirable home feature.

  1. Focusing on Details and Local Techniques

Related to the environmental consciousness of the previous item, this year we will continue to see a preference for the use of local materials and techniques, as well as interest in low-cost materials. Regarding systems, last year we noticed an increase in construction details, indicating a concern to better address all parts of a project.

  1. Greener and More Collective Cities

Natural resources such as water (Water Management) and soil have taken center stage in urban discussions, and the concept of Landscape Urbanism is positioned firmly amongst them. Permaculture is positioned as a system of design principles that originate from the agricultural, social, political and economic fields. From this, other movements also emerge, such as Urban Farming and Urban Agriculture, as well as the recovery of Public Spaces through Activations managed by the Community itself.

  1. Recycling Spaces: The Continuing and Increased Importance of Reuse

Recycling and Ecological Awareness have not been absent from the debate surrounding the industry with one of the largest carbon footprints in the world: Construction. Faced with this concern, some architects have identified solutions within the Sustainable City systems that stop growing through renovation and rehabilitation of spaces, and through the design of Adaptive Re-Use Projects.

  1. Renewable Energy and Environmental Awareness: New energy to face Climate Change

We already know that Environmental Awareness and Climate Change are concerns that affect architects. To face the carbon emissions caused by the life cycle of any completed building, renewable energy plays an important role in the debate, with emerging architectural models that not only work based on renewable energy sources, but that are also capable of generating new energy. The concept of the Powerhouse and “Energy Positive” buildings arise, which, during their operational phase, generate more energy than what was used during their construction; or “Zero-Energy” and “Net Zero” houses, which produce more energy than they consume, to achieve appropriate comfort levels.

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