What will the future of architecture look like? In the age of Big Data and ever-changing culture trends, architects all over must follow the call for better design solutions. The construction industry has undergone dramatic changes over the past decade giving plenty of reason to get excited about the future of the built environment. Traditional spatial concepts are overlooked in a world where tiny homes are the new norm and modular/ prefab housing is a preferred choice. There is a focus on the importance of green infrastructure and energy efficiency. These emerging technology trends are accelerating at a high pace and the architectural field should follow suit. 
1. Collaboration | Emerging Technology Trends
A symbiosis between various fields is expected to increase to develop more complex architectural systems that require knowledge in different fields such as environmental science and anthropology. “Small ‘design-led’ practices will face increasingly stiff competition from multidisciplinary giants and must become more business savvy to survive in the future,” claims a 2011 RIBA report.
Star architects will take a backseat in collaboration projects with design ethos shifting from iconic extravagant structures to inclusive energy-efficient spaces.
2. Immersive architecture with VR technology
Immersive virtual reality allows you to experience a space you have created whilst making design changes in real-time. VR technology has seen rapid development in recent years which is evident in architectural, engineering, and the construction industry. VR helps to combat the lag experienced in the beginning stage of the design process where clients are still sceptical of the designer’s choices.
With this technology conceptual stages of design can be realized much faster. This technology trend is expected to become a new normal with clients immersing themselves in an accurate 1:1 model of the space providing a precise sense of presence in the yet-to-be-built space.
3. Smart cities | Emerging Technology Trends
Smart homes are revolutionizing the way we live now with energy-efficient systems and AI-assisted living bringing this to a community, better yet city-wide level will be phenomenal for the urban development of the future. As populations grow and resources become more unavailable, the efficient use of limited resources becomes a necessity.
Smart cities are a key factor in the consumption of resources. Urban development based on sustainability with a greater focus on renewable energy, transportation solutions, smart home energy management, and public service access are the advances that need to be realized in city technology.
4. Parametric architecture
Parametricism is a style of architecture that allows the use of computerization and computation methods to make high-quality and innovative buildings for contemporary societies. With this design method, the possibilities are endless and complex design issues are resolved.
Although it has been around for quite some time, the evolving nature of this design trend seems to tap into new manufacturing methodologies as well as analysis into material science.
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines are becoming more widely used opening up possibilities for more adaptive and contextual design solutions. Architects need to become part of the computational design process and instigate push of design possibilities.
5. Robotic Construction | Emerging Technology Trends
Robotics is coming into the construction field. As a highly unautomated industry, construction is set for a robot evolution. Some robots that have already made it to the field are the bricklaying and masonry robots that have greatly improved the speed and quality of construction work.
Construction companies are looking to automate more and more tasks for the sake of efficiency and productivity.
6. Prefab
Prefabricated construction is a method of construction where building components are assembled at a location better suited to their construction and are transported to their final sites. It takes off-site construction to a whole new level and is both time-saving and convenient.
With developments in this trend, the building structure and surrounding environment are integrated into the prefabricated building adding vitality. In the future, other aspects such as design aesthetics and functional realization should be put into priority.
7. Cloud-based tools
These allow for a greater level of collaboration in the business world. This will help various architects share ideas and connect, allowing everyone to get immediate insight into all the vital information on on-going projects. This will also lead bigger companies to develop applications that can ease the work.
8. 3D and 4D printing | Emerging Technology Trends
Looking back to 2020, 3D printing broke ground and made incredible turnover sales when traditional manufacturing companies were unable to operate due to the global pandemic. “The flexibility and speed of 3D printers were key in buffering the supply chain disruptions for PPE in hard-hit areas and fueled innovation for ‘printable’ designs for everything from face shields to respirators”, said Veisz (VP of engineering at MakerBot).
As we evolve 3d printing 4d printing is here to steal the show. The fourth dimension in 4D printing is transformation. 4D uses programmable material in 3D printing, to print three-dimensional objects.
