The spaces we live in can transform the way we live. Architects have always been aware of this responsibility. They have to make the environments we inhabit as efficient, enjoyable, and empowering as possible. As we emerged from the trying times following the pandemic, trends in architecture have reflected a shift toward embracing technology like never before. Surprisingly, mindfulness and a newly found contentment with what nature has to offer have also been embraced. These ever-evolving concepts can be seen already shaping the trends of the architecture of 2023.
Tiny homes
Tiny homes have gone from being a trendy concept a couple of years ago to a practical solution for living for people worldwide. In 2023, we expect to see even more compact tiny homes that are both functional and budget-friendly. One example is the ‘delta model’ designed by Ark Tiny Homes. This highly insulated tiny home is made from a converted shipping container and occupies only 40 feet of space. Despite its size, it does not feel cramped and is equipped with premium amenities, making it an excellent option for those looking for a compact living space at a reasonable price of $59,500.
Despite the various options, tiny homes remain the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly design. The idea of tiny homes has evolved to create a life centred around what is truly valuable and being content with what you have. For this generation, tiny homes represent the primary aspiration in architecture.
Biophilic architecture
Biophilic architecture is an approach that integrates natural elements into the built environment to benefit human and planet health. This approach involves incorporating plants and natural materials/elements within interior spaces to bring the outside inside.
Developing buildings that are ecologically friendly and efficient in their use of resources is becoming increasingly essential. Architects use natural materials like wood to blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. Biophilic design aims to create homes that foster a deeper relationship with nature, using natural light and green plants as important features. The Welcome to the Jungle House, designed by CplusC Architectural Workshop, is a prime example of this approach, featuring a rooftop vegetable garden and an aquaponics system inhabited by fish.
Floating homes
Revolutionary architecture finds its perfect canvas on water, where cutting-edge materials and technology have made a host of floating living spaces possible. These designs prioritise resilience in severe weather and are fortified against hurricanes and floods. The looming threat of climate change and rising sea levels have led to a global crisis that may ultimately drive us towards water-based living solutions. Even saunas are taking to the water now, such as the Big Branzino, a floating sauna designed by the Swedish studio Sandellsandberg. With a steel catamaran hull and a minimalist timber structure, this sauna boasts a unique bow-shaped roof that shelters a central sauna room. The exteriors are finished with pine planks, allowing the structure to blend seamlessly into the surrounding forests that it traverses.
Adaptive reuse
The trend for adaptive reuse, which was popular in 2022, is expected to continue in 2023. With concerns about the environmental impact of construction, the repurposing and renovation of existing buildings are becoming increasingly popular. The pandemic has led to a trend of diversifying and repurposing existing architecture as many businesses have downsized or closed for good. Upcycling building structures and materials to create new functions offers sustainable benefits such as energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions. Reusing existing structures instead of demolishing and constructing new installations can help preserve a location’s character and heritage while reducing the environmental impacts of building new constructions.
An example of adaptive reuse in architecture is the Convent of Sant Francesc in Santpedor, Catalonia. The refurbishment of the building used contemporary construction techniques to distinguish new additional elements from the original structure of the ancient church while preserving the building’s history.
Smart materials
Architects are constantly exploring new design possibilities with the help of smart materials. The integration of these materials can have a transformative effect on buildings in terms of sustainability, adaptability, and efficiency. These interactive materials respond to environmental changes, such as temperature and UV radiation, and adjust their properties to accommodate the end-user requirements.
As the crisis of climate change and rising fuel costs worsens, architects must find ways to make buildings work for us. Natural Carbon Zero solutions are the obvious focus, and innovative materials are gaining traction. For example, smart glass is a material that can vary transparency levels based on the time of day and other factors. MEP engineers must control heat gain using advanced technologies such as blinds integral to the glazing or brise solei solutions. In addition, architects are exploring solar glazing for windows, which contains a clear substance sandwiched between panes of glass to act as a solar panel without changing the appearance of the glass.
Mixed-use developments
The trend toward urbanisation is driving the creation of mixed-use buildings that combine residential, commercial, retail, and recreational spaces into one structure. This approach allows for higher population densities and contributes to forming dynamic and livable communities.
Mixed-use developments have gained popularity in recent years due to their outperformance compared to standalone buildings in the same market. These properties have shown faster lease-up times and higher rental yields. Research conducted by JLL indicates that office rents in mixed-use developments are typically 24.7% higher than those in the same submarket.
3d-printed designs
The integration of technology, such as 3D modelling, printing, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and the Internet of Things (IoT), is increasingly being utilised in the design and construction of buildings. Among these technologies, 3D printing has gained popularity for reducing labour and logistics time and enabling architects to create high-precision models of curved and textured forms that are best controlled by machines.
With its easily replicable designs, 3D printing offers a financially feasible, simplified, and sustainable approach to building, making architecture accessible to the public without much hassle. Over the past few years, 3D-printed architecture has emerged as a reliable form of residence, and it is expected to have its moment in 2023. For example, the Los Angeles-based startup Azure uses recycled plastic to 3D print prefab tiny homes with glass walls, recessed lighting, and pocket doors, which can be printed in just 20 hours, showcasing the modern and futuristic possibilities of this technology.
Reference List:
- 5 architecture trends for 2023 (2023) Thermory. Available at: https://thermory.com/blog-and-news/5-architecture-trends-for-2023/ (Accessed: April 8, 2023).
- 9 emerging architectural trends to keep an eye on in 2023 (2023) Arch2O.com. Available at: https://www.arch2o.com/9-architectural-trends-for-2023/#2_3D-Printed_Designs (Accessed: April 8, 2023).
- Dsouza, L. (2023) Building the future: Top 5 architecture design trends for 2023, Motiva. Available at: https://www.motiva.art/blog/top-5-architecture-design-trends-2023/ (Accessed: April 8, 2023).
- Mitra, S. (2023) Top 10 architecture trends of 2023 – Yanko design, Yanko Design – Modern Industrial Design News. Available at: https://www.yankodesign.com/2023/01/11/top-10-architecture-trends-of-2023/ (Accessed: April 8, 2023).
- TenTwenty | Webdesign, W.& E.-marketing | D. (no date) 5 architecture trends for 2023, Brewer Smith Brewer Group. Available at: https://bsbgroup.com/blog/5-architecture-trends-2023#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20technological%20advancement,sustainability%20as%20the%20focal%20point. (Accessed: April 8, 2023).
