It is such a fact that change is constant. From Twitter to Threads, there is a cultural shift in the latest trend. Even in day-to-day life, every human strives for betterment in their living conditions. Even such that scientists all over the world have started to explore the possibility to have life and shelter on the Moon & Mars! Architects all over have been in continuous experimentation to develop architecture more sustainable and favorable for the citizens of the Earth. Just for example let’s take a look at FIFA 2022, all of us came across the concepts of sustainable stadiums green energy, and green terminology. This makes architecture have more of an inquisitive approach. Even so that it is more exciting to explore the various potentiality on the Earth. People now have been exploring the potential of building materials and how they can be reused, as it is the new cool and need of the hour. The future of architecture is promising due to its developing trends from the past decade. Let’s have a look at the futuristic trends in the field of architecture.
Transforming Architecture : Latest Trends in architecture
Architecture can transmogrify and maintain that there have been continual upgrades in terms of materials, design approach, and construction methodology. The shift is always striving for a better environment considering the latest trends.
Sustainable City architecture
Climate change is a majorly alarming factor for the world. Hence to overcome the hazardous effects, designer architects, and everybody from the industry are making it a point to have climate-conscious decisions. This can be achieved by using locally sourced materials, revamping & renovating the old structures rather than demolishing them, using sustainable means of energy, and so forth.
Most of the townships developing in Germany have now adapted themselves to technology such that carbon footprints are reduced and hydrogen is used to generate energy. Self-sustaining cities with green roofs, lower carbon footprints, prefabricated structures in steel, energy-efficient designs, and technological inclusions make them more environmentally friendly. Wood bamboo steel usage has come to the forefront to source this venture.
Virtual reality, AI architecture & 3D Printing
ChatGPT has already shown how will AI be controlling the critical aspects of the future. Virtual Reality and Metaverse have already created quite a buzz. But architecturally it will have a huge impact. 3D modeling software has been helping on a huge scale to visualize and implement the ideas of the designers and the stakeholders. This also helps to calculate the expenses, impact on the surroundings and provide scopes of improvement. Apart from these, the technique of 3D printing has revolutionized the construction of aesthetically sound structures on a greater scale. One such example is seen in Italy’s Massa Lombarda where Marcio Cucinella architects came up with the first eco-sustainable housing using locally available raw earth called TECLA. This success has led to improvisations in the field of 3D printing architecture. Hence the architecture of the future is sustainably advanced and structurally more aesthetic.
Tiny House Nation – Compact & Modular Housing
Tiny Houses aim for a full-fledged house but with a compact footprint. It can see multi-utility rooms to accommodate the growing family while being convenient for every person living inside. Modular houses are easy and quick to develop in terms of design as well as execution. Steel Prefab companies produce all the sections just leaving the task of erecting the structure on site. This not only helps in reducing the carbon footprint due to in-situ production, lesser water consumption as adhesives & nut bolts are used to assemble the structure, and the structure depending on the extent of the construction can be produced within less than 6 months. This also comes as sustainable thus enhancing the future of architecture.
Parametric Architecture In Conjunction With Vertical Cities
Parametric architecture is an algorithm-based method that helps combine various geometric forms t give rise to create varied forms. It helps create complex forms with the help of human and computer relationships. It is controlled by a series of parameters and constraints and hence becomes flexible and the scale can be larger. This can also help in the production of structures to accommodate multiple functions in a structure and thus the heights could go invariably tall giving rise to complex vertical cities of the future. As space becomes limited and the population increases, vertical cities come as a brilliant solution to be space sapient.
Vertical cities with vertical farming come as an alternative to producing self-sufficient and energy-efficient cities helping to retain the increasing population. This will lead to an interdependent community, which will also help bring people closer to each other.
BIM & Smart Cities
Building information modelling it is easier to plan and design cities. This will help make informed decisions making it responsive to the environment, people, and energy. As the concept of smart cities suggests an overall sustainable and people-oriented development. Smart cities’ mission has now become an integral part of city development in India. Major cities in the world including Germany, UAE, and Korea are witnessing the development of smart cities.
The Architecture of the Future: Fab or Fad?
As the popularity of technology and sustainability is ever-rising, developing these trends is no joke. At one end all can expect blossoming growth the other end sees some strings pulling these growths. As there is already a scarcity of spaces and inhibitions of the residents, such developments require bringing all the citizens on board. There is still a lot of education that is to be imparted to society. Environmental impacts are still treated negligibly hence it is important to educate clients and citizens to bring about innovations.
There are still reservations in terms of futuristic technology that is being used for development. Some are still in the phases of development. Even when sustainable development is discussed, it is all based on ideologies rather than a concrete constitution to bring about organized sustainable development.
Talking about innovations, there are examples to be set up so that the investors can come on board with all the futuristic ideas, as some of them are still hesitant regarding the future. There is no inadequacy in terms of ideas and innovations but these proposals are still at the bottom of the list as there is a constant fear of monetary collapse. There is a requirement for investment for sustainable proposals since it requires a greater investment involved stakeholders opting for a regular methodology than futuristic methods to cut the overall costs. As correctly said by architect Luke Arehart There is a Grand Canyon–esque divide that exists between the baby boomer and millennial generations within architecture.”
Future of Architecture – Expectations v/s Reality
Overall it is safer to say that more contractors have come on board as the architecture of the future helps to cut down carbon emissions thus providing a sustainable future. With the TECLA, more of a futuristic approach is positive as the results are stunning. The evident loss of our arable land and natural resources, climate change, fast population expansion, and environmental damage are just a few of the important and challenging issues humanity is presently facing. Through technology and our growing interconnection, we have more opportunities than ever to build a better world.
New technologies have made it feasible to create enormous projects that function as microcities with a variety of services. Eco-friendly services for composting, recycling, and other public services are the new norms of cooler living. Hence it is positive to say that one should also keep up and operate all the apps from Twitter to Threads!
References
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- Fidanci, E.A. (2023). Trends and Predictions in Architecture. [online] illustrarch. Available at: https://illustrarch.com/articles/15738-trends-and-predictions-in-architecture.html [Accessed 9 Jul. 2023].
- Lonergan, B. (2020). Future Architecture Trends – Materials, Design, and Future Cities. [online] ArchitectureQuote – Connect Architects to New Projects. Available at: https://architecturequote.com/future-architecture/.
- Mario Cucinella Architects (2021). TECLA Technology and Clay 3D Printed House / Mario Cucinella Architects. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/960714/tecla-technology-and-clay-3d-printed-house-mario-cucinella-architects.
- Team ActiTime (2023). 10 Architecture Trends That Will Be Huge in 2023. [online] ActiTime. Available at: https://www.actitime.com/software-for-architects/architecture-trends [Accessed 9 Jul. 2023].
- Think Architecture (2019). 5 Trends That Could Shape the Future of Architecture. [online] Think Architecture. Available at: https://www.thinkaec.com/5-trends-that-could-shape-the-future-of-architecture/.
- TMD STUDIO LTD (2017). Emerging Trends That Will Shape the Future of Architecture. [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/studiotmd/emerging-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-architecture-356ba3e7f910.
- Keskeys, P. (2017). Architizer Journal: The Official Architizer Blog. [online] Journal. Available at: https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/industry/blood-sweat-tears-architecture/
