Architecture is changing with each passing day, the field has explored an infinite number of solutions for the current times and the future of architecture and development as well that aims at being sustainable for its future generation, more inclusive, that thinks of communities, co-existence, and so much more. The lack of availability of natural resources, climate change, and the amount of inter-related rising concerns needs current architecture to shift its focus from the past trends to the new future-oriented ones. The role of architects is expanding and evolving already. Trends are going to shift in the future of architecture. Technological advancements in the field are taking it to another level with the digital outputs one gets for  future development while being in present.

What the future holds for architects - Sheet1
©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.

Going sustainable is the future of architecture

Going sustainable is an ongoing trend and has got a lot of potential in the field. We are constantly evolving with the nature and processes of construction, to the choice of materials, being energy efficient, more sensitive towards nature. The use of materials such as wood, timber, compost, recycled materials, etc. is ever-growing. Earlier where the use of wood was constrained to flooring, furniture, doors, and windows has widened its frame. We would be having building being made entirely out of wood; as the versatility of this material is immense. The impact on the environment is going to be less of a building made out of wood, also it will help in the decarbonization. The oldest construction material is making its way back already and in the future of architecture as well. 

© TMD STUDIO LTD (2018). Integration of Architectural Design Under the Concept of Sustainable Development. [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/studiotmd/integration-of-architectural-design-under-the-concept-of-sustainable-development-bb1feb1ec6c2.
Buildings made out of wood are known to have less carbon footprint. Natural materials are all over the place and it is a good sign for posterity. Going back to where human civilizations started is the inspiration for the future of architecture.

The trend of smart cities in the future

A smart city is the one that has the most sustainable solutions, and interventions incorporated in the city’s entire functioning such as using automated technology for the collection of data, smart solutions for the management of systems like transport, networks, and communications. The concept of smart cities would be the future of architecture. A lot of cities have taken steps for their upgradation to the smart ones. A Smart city will help us in the functioning by efficiently using the resources. The concept of vertical development and vertical city is going to dominate as the world’s population is increasing and land scarcity is at its peak, to deal with the issues of land scarcity, the concept of the vertical city is the solution for the geographical problems. High-rise development is already happening at a faster rate in metro cities, while envisioning future, high rise building pattern is going to be the solution for rising population and better urban life in the cities to provide accommodation to the projected population.

Being energy efficient 

Energy-efficient buildings are already being built but in the coming years, energy efficiency is going to be all over the world as we need to be considerate of reducing the consumption energy of the buildings. Net-zero energy building is the future of architecture. These buildings will help in reducing the energy need for cooling and heating. Technology has been migrated deeply into architecture and in the future of architecture, technology-driven development is going to be prominent. The future of housing will also lie in the high-rise development. We will be going for zero emissions, zero waste, the minimum carbon footprint for maintaining an environment and ecological balance, and for the greener earth. The use of renewable energy, recycling schemes, urban energy systems in a harmony could be seen.

According to International Energy Agency estimates, renewables like solar and wind are set to become the largest source of electricity generation worldwide by 2025, supplying one-third of the world’s electricity and ending coal’s decades-long dominance of the global power mix.

Future in architecture would be going sustainably sound, being considerate about the mother earth. The architecture will bring the solution to the problems like urbanization happening at rapid rates putting pressure on the resources, overcrowding due to migration, urbanization, poor condition living scenarios, environmental hazards due to exploitation of resources, etc. we would be able to maintain a healthy balance between built and unbuilt, nature and structure, we envision the future to be a much better place to sustain in healthy living societies, and making this planet a bit more livable, calmer, and at peace with the harmonized environment we built for ourselves. 

Source-

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, (January 20,2021). Schneider Electric. Decarbonizing Cities Takes an Integrated Approach. (Online). Available at: https://www.se.com/ww/en/insights/tl/electricity-4-0/decarbonizing-cities-how-to-harmonize-buildings-mobility-and-infrastructure (Accessed 7 November 2021).

Author

Alisha is an Architect, pursuing M.Arch (ekistics) as she wishes to take a deep dive into the world of architecture, humans, settlements, and all about it. Constantly evolving is all that she strives to be and aims to bring in the change with her thoughts and words someday.