From intimate spaces like our homes to public urban areas, the environment surrounding us has a big effect on our well-being. Recent turbulent years have rapidly changed our views about what we expect from the built environment in terms of functionality, looks and sustainability.
In the recent decade, there has been a huge shift towards living more intentionally and that reflects in the architectural trends for 2023.
Concern about the excessive use of plastics in our surrounding environment or how to reduce the construction sector’s CO2 emissions is more mainstream and affects how we think of the built environment.
Here are the 5 biggest architecture trends we expect to see more of in the next year.
Green architecture and eco-conscious living are architecture trends that are here to stay. Considering the state of the world, sustainable solutions and natural or recycled materials are the only options going forward.
Great architecture is not any more just about how a building looks, but also how it’s made, how efficiently it functions, and what will become of it if it’s not needed anymore.
Climate-neutral buildings are good, but it is necessary that we take it a step further and make our surrounding environment climate positive. Think about how to utilize natural wood, implement water recycling systems, and make the most of light, wind and other natural resources.
The construction industry is still responsible for a big part of global CO2 emissions, and it needs to decline fast. That’s why one strong trend in architecture is to use wood not only for cladding but also for constructing buildings.
Many architects have opted for all wood constructions as timber is less carbon-intensive compared to other structural materials. Timber also offers the option to create prefab or modular constructions that can be assembled on-site, but make the building process faster, smoother, cheaper and better for the environment.
Architects at Opal design buildings exclusively following the Passive House principles. Their fundamental goal is to generate a net-positive effect on the environment, making wood their preferred material.
Space needs to cater for all senses. The textures, smells, and sounds strongly affect how a person feels inside certain rooms and in urban spaces. The easiest way to create this good feeling is to use wood as it ticks many boxes at once.
Wood’s natural texture and colour promote a sense of warmth and comfort. It has good tactile qualities, especially when you opt for brushed wood or mix-and-match profiles to create a 3D effect on an otherwise flat surface.
Wood also has a pleasant smell to it when used in large quantities. Not to mention the acoustic benefits that wood brings to the table.
We are noticing more architecture that is driven by natural light and other biophilic design elements. Outdoor and indoor spaces are becoming more seamlessly connected and intertwined.
To get that indoor-outdoor feeling, many architects blur the line by using the same materials in both spaces, especially wood to bring more natural surfaces into the mix.
The tiny house movement has been around for a long time but living in a space that is under 41 square meters is not viable for all. Still, with the rising living and construction costs many lean towards smaller or at least more energy-efficient homes.
Expect to see more buildings that meet the passive house standards and have a smaller environmental footprint.
The Englewood Passive House Duplex sets a new standard for high-end low-energy living.
