The generation of millennials comprise the largest consumers at the moment with their peer groups being the digital natives who make use of technology for possible tasks that make them potent and smart workers. They make reasonable choices being fully aware of the demands for commodities they set, keeping in vision for low-carbon-footprint, sustainability, nutrition and wellness. Thi architecture and building materials redefine to cater to the ever-changing needs spatially, environmentally and socially for a generation that empowers self-expression and awareness in socio-political spheres. Let us understand how millennial architects project the ability to reset the game in every aspect of the field.
1. Working Environment conditions.
Millennials make up the highest educated generation currently that results in a team of well researched, affordable and smart employment. They no longer believe in outdated traditions to slog their way up in the industry in due time but strongly take actions that show results. Many term these architects to be impatient and unrealistic, only to forget they are highly entrepreneurial, confident to take considerable risks of running things their way.
2. Justified payment
Millennial architects understand their abilities and what they bring to the table. Therefore, they will not accept a paycheck that does not justify the outcomes. They acknowledge the unfair system thrown and redefined by paying interns and employees a fair pay and credit they deserve merely based on the production of work.
3. Multiple Job factors.
They are young and talented individuals who are ready to compete with the industry leaders. However, millennial architects envision themselves working at various fields of the industry simultaneously part-time to get a good grasp of the current trends, be it in practise, academics, writing, production and so on. These designers are willing to work 24/7 when their time, effort and pay justifies them.
4. Environmental and Culturally sensitive designs.
The current generation of architects design buildings and spaces that reflect on two principal aspects. First, environmentally sensitive and low-carbon footprint design and materials as part of their working brief. Second, reflection of elements from culture and traditions observed in local architecture into contemporary spaces where buildings showcase and respect identities along with keeping updated with current trends with design that works and not just appeals visually.
5. Digital Evolution.
The millennial architects keep their work sphere open to using multiple tools that differentiate concept, presentation and working drawings that cater to demonstrate details required by clients versus consultants in a given project. The technology advances furthermore from AutoCAD at a far faster acceleration; these new generation designers use and experiment with various software and model presentations from their time in design school to understand, acquaint and expert themselves to the combination of these that work for them. The market grows to introduce new products where many different software products require work in a system from the production of drawings, concepts to detailing in services, material and three-dimensional renders and walk-throughs requiring seamless plug-in transitions from one to the other.
6. Transformation of Spatial requirement.
Let’s understand three distinguished spheres: work, home and public space where these requirements are visible. First, working environments witness a shift from designated cubicle rooms to a blurriness in these fine lines with flexible spaces between working, meetings and logistics; creating the rise of a new typology of co-working spaces. Here, certain areas are personal and every other facility open for use to many tenants allows hassle-free experience in maintenance and expenditure, especially for a highly entrepreneurial generation. Second, homes designed to consist of small spaces, open-floor plans and simple designs inspired from retro, new-age, minimal philosophies with multiple storage/utilitarian furniture along with focusing on green and sustainable factors. These millennial architects go a step further to integrate building automation that allows setting of light, mood, security at the tip of their fingers in a remote or their phones. Lastly, public spaces like parks, theatres, shops and pubs require a unique and unconventional experience to appeal to the generation along with keeping comfort, utility and sustainability in place. The cohort needs revolutionary parking facility solutions to cater to the growing automobile sector; some other aspects such as interactive digital signages, furniture landscapes to seamlessly integrate into the public spatial realm.
7. Source of Information and networking.
Library and in-house books at home and workspace have limitations to data and ideas presented to appeal to the millennials architects. They turn towards using social media like Instagram and Facebook, digital platforms like Archdaily, pin-interest, Rethinking-the future, Dezeen to explore and expand their concept and look at related documented work on them and network in professionally spheres like square foot, LinkedIn for jobs, socialising and networking with people from different backgrounds. The digital era opens up a platform to curate and take the required information from an ocean of data.
8. COVID-19 pandemic, an accelerator to a new age of architecture
The Coronavirus pandemic hits the world at a point where our behaviour, lifestyle, work and social environments get an impact. It has accelerated digital work from home culture to be safe, allowing the millennial architects to work remotely teaming up with experts from around the globe and move their scale of work to a global platform. This scenario dictates a change in public spaces as most people opt for pedestrian movement to allow some sense of exercise for physical and mental health. Design interventions of the plug-in typology inserted to help maintain social distancing, the restaurants open-up with new layout to allow a certain number of diners and the spaces switch from air-conditioned to natural ventilation. The use of modular construction for quick and responsive architecture to apply into effect for such large scale emergencies be it a pandemic or natural disaster impact that gives fast built flexible spaces with less waste compared to traditional construction techniques. Another approach to design deals with converting existing structures to facilitate new purposes that bring relevance to place in ageing cities and require less material marking them far more sustainable.
All of the above briefly outlines how millennial architects are resetting the game in the professional field from work ethics, paychecks to designing for the present time with paramount responsiveness to climate and culture. Along with adapting to change in scenarios due to the pandemic where the functions of the architectural fraternity in various sectors evolve at a much rapid pace giving everyone a ground zero platform to collaborate and broaden the scope of work one can achieve.
