We are at a stage where architecture can serve as more than just a building—architecture itself is a piece of art. Something to marvel upon. Here are the 10 futuristic design concepts that can be used in architecture:
1. Fluid architecture | Futuristic design concepts
One can not start writing about futuristic design concepts without thinking about the beautiful flawless designs of Zaha Hadid or the parametric structures of Frank Gehry. We are at a stage where architecture can serve as more than just a building—architecture itself is a piece of art. Something to marvel upon.
Fluid architecture favors the free and playful form over the function of the building. Unlike modern architecture, aesthetics are important. Fluid architecture takes construction methods and formal versatility ahead by leaps and bounds and this is still just the start.
2. Vertical gardens
With open spaces decreasing with the increasing use of concrete and steel and glass, the gardens need to tower up vertically too. This approach is a sustainable answer to the growing needs of the city.
A vertical garden can range from a vegetation mat to a green facade to urban farming. Water reclamation and solar energy collection are healthy side-effects of the same. Along with this, every resident can enjoy a little piece of outdoor open space for themselves.
3. Subterranean architecture
Subterranean architecture is nothing new. Humans have dwelled in caves and tunnels since the most primitive times. With cities getting more and more congested, the basements of buildings can be used for more than just parking.
Subterranean structures can provide seclusion of spaces much better than regular superstructures can. Serenity and peace are felt in the rock-cut structures that can be translated into contemporary structures.
4. Underwater architecture
With global warming increasing by the day, the water levels keep rising. We are bound to lose our shorelines in a few years. Unless we have a major change in the climate, we are going to have to adapt to the situations that we will be presented with within due time.
Architecture underwater is a fairly new concept and a bit of research has been done on it already. Firms such as OMA and designers such as Yves Behar have proposed underwater sculpture parks and underwater habitats respectively. But, this subject requires a lot of research before taking the plunge and we should always be sure enough to disturb the underwater ecosystem the least.
5. On-water architecture | Futuristic design concepts
Just as in underwater architecture, with the increasing levels of water and population, we might have to shift to the aqua instead of the land. The aquatic ecosystems have intrigued researchers for a while now and a lot of research has been conducted in this field. Even though a lot has to still be done, it is a start.
In countries like Indonesia where the landmass is surrounded by water extensively, floating cities have been an old concept. Architect Bjarke Ingles has identified this problem and designed the Urban Rigger—a completely sustainable modular student housing project—as a prototype for Archipelago.
The archipelago is a completely sustainable buoyant structure that can house up to 300 residents. Clusters of this structure can be formed to make an entire city and this can still house more people in the same area than the equivalent cities on land!
6. Temporary architecture
The world is currently dealing with a pandemic. Other than that, it faces a crisis in one part of it or the other. Beyond that, the world is constantly changing too. The answer to all these problems is temporary architecture. These structures can serve as relief centres, temporary hospitals, rescue centres, schools and a lot more.
The works for Shigeru Ban work as a great precedent for anyone trying to explore this field. This architect has used cheap, locally sourced objects such as paper tubes, beer crates and cloth to create shelters for the 310000 people left homeless in earthquakes and this is just the tip of his humanitarian works!
7. Pod living
We all know about the famous POD hotels in Japan. Pod living is basically a glorified hostel where individuals can rent a bed in a shared room and get access to other community spaces and to kitchen and bathrooms as well.
With increasing real estate rates, lack of community living, and congestion in the cities where the youth lives, pod living is going to be the next big thing, if not already!
8. Space architecture
With Mars inhabitation to happen within the next few decades, Space Architecture is right around the corner. But, this is the one that will require a lot of research. With adverse conditions that are to be dealt with, small problems such as the inability to repair a lot of things in space will face a challenge to the architects and designers.
The future of space travel is unknown currently, but living for 7-8 months in space as well as space travels have already started!
9. Adaptive reuse
Adaptive reuse has already been here for a while now. Whether it is the High Line of New York or the small ruin pubs of Budapest, adaptive reuse is the architecture that uses the existing built infrastructure and gives an alternative meaning to the building.
This is a very sustainable approach to design—there is no debris generated and a lesser carbon footprint due to the new changes. This is a very useful approach when old GIDCs are converted into art museums, cafes, office spaces, lofts, shopping complexes, studios—giving everything an old-world charm!
10. Trash Architecture | Futuristic design concepts
Humans produce around 2.01 billion tonnes of waste annually. And we have no clue what to do with it. One way out is to use this debris as a building material. There have been researches around the world under this umbrella.
Architect Chris Collaris has been researching and designing how to use oil shipment containers – which are bound to be useless as we convert from oil to renewable resources—as floating cities. Thus, killing two birds with one stone!
