Evolution of Architectural Design Trends

Architectural design:

Architectural design is considered to be a subset of the broader term ‘architecture’. The fundamental difference between the both is that architecture is a creative journey encompassing multiple phases of solutions on a technical level whereas architectural design builds the foundation required to curate any living space. It focuses on more than just construction which includes meeting the needs and demands of the user, therefore it aims to blend technology and aesthetics. This explains the shift towards the use of 3d visualization for creating these high quality aesthetic photo-media.

Architectural Design Trends:

• Sustainable and Eco-friendly Designs:
  The concept of sustainability is nothing new in architectural design. This has become a common practice followed by designers to incorporate strategies, materials and tools that have low impact on the environment. Projects are designed to reduce loads on artificial means of heating/cooling a space and passive techniques are used instead to utilize the renewable resources.
• Adaptive Reuse and Renovation :
  With the growing population, the demand for more infrastructure keeps on increasing thus stressing out the available land resources. Thus designers are including this approach in architectural designs of renovating and re-purposing an already built structure not only resolves the limited land issue but also uses lesser resources.
• Biophillic design:
  Along with sustainability, architectural design tends to create a connection with the nature by blending the outdoors and indoors and this practice is termed as ‘biophillic designs’ among the designers. The design includes large windows, terraces, courtyards to not only build a visual connection with nature but to allow air and light to flood in the interiors, in order to maximize the utilization the natural resources.
• Smart and Responsive Architecture:
  Architectural designs are evolving with the growing stream of technology. The concept of smart homes is becoming the new norm where you can control various functions regarding the indoor environment of the house using smart appliances such as the lighting heating, cooling via internet and integrated sensors.

Cultural Influences on Architectural Trends:

Culture is a collection set of beliefs, practices, traditions followed by a group of people in a community. It shapes the way how they behave, interact and live with each other. And this way of living also influences how they build these living spaces according to their beliefs, needs and wants.

We can say that culture is the core guiding principle of architectural design since historic times. The caves of Neanderthals, stone columns of Greeks and wooden construction of Chinese are all testaments to the culture influence on architectural trends since ancient times.

• Geographic and Climatic Impacts on Architecture:

Climate literally shapes the mold for any structure. Architectural designs in the colder regions have smaller openings, minimizing the heat loss, steep roofs; preventing stone accumulation and excessive use of insulations. Whereas structures in the Mediterranean regions are open, with breezy central patios, allowing strong gushes of wind to naturally ventilate the spaces. Tropical houses use bamboo as the main construction material as it it resistant to the climate typology. Geographic locations not only influence building materials but shapes them culturally as well.

• Spiritual Architecture Across Religions:

Faith dictates the way of life and the way we inhabit places. Sacred spaces have their own unique elements, shaping the architectural designs culturally. The Hindu temples represent cosmic planes with their pergolas and a fleet of stairs, the Western churches aims to reach the heavens with their soaring vertical heights and Muslim mosques evokes the sense of inferiority in front of their God by using monumental and intricate designs.

Modern Architectural Design Movements

• Art Deco:

This architectural design movement is a movement of ornamentation. It primarily includes rectilinear trays followed by secondary curves.

• Brutalism:

This movement is all about visual weight that sets them apart from all other rectilinear structures. Windows are punctures in the massive walls, breaking the idea of continuation. Following the incline towards basophilic architecture, ‘eco brutalism’ is the new emerging movement which includes nature and blurs the bulkiness of concrete with the soft nature of plants.

• Deconstructivist:

This movement follows the idea of breaking down the purity of form and creates structures which incorporates materials or forms from two different reals, for example using concrete blocks with exposed steel meshes.

• International Style:

This movement is characterized by a balanced composition of volumes. Additive, subtractive and transformative techniques are used to achieve these visually balanced structures. Excessive use of columns, ribbon windows, flat roofs and open floor plans are the common elements used.

• Minimalist:

This architectural design movement has gained popularity in no time due to its sleek and clean aesthetic. This style focusses on highlighting the purity of forms and elements by removing any ornamentation which results in clutter-free, organized and elegant spaces.

• Organic style:

Emerging in the early 20^th century, this movement asserts that structures should be based on organic forms (biophillic) in order to blend in with its natural environment.

Contemporary Architectural Trends

• Integrating nature:

In todays’ world of urbanism, architectural designs are retreating towards nature as designers make responsible design decisions, understanding the importance of a healthy indoor environment.

• Sustainability:

Contemporary architectural designs strive to ensure that there are as minimum impacts on the environment as possible in order to respect the environment. Using materials that were subjected to fewer treatment processes that could be harmful for the environment. Having more technological fittings and fixtures that lowers this negative impact are being implemented.

• Renewable energy resources:

With a strain on fossil fuel consumption, architectural designs are incorporating technologies that foster the use of renewable energies such as solar and wind. This approach takes benefits of the abundant availability of these resources.

• Fluid designs:

Architectural designs are evolving into more flexible, flowing designs as compared to the earlier static and rigid ones. This dynamic approach merges the verticality of walls and ceilings, introducing organic forms which shapes the experiential journey of the user.

Technological Advancements in Architectural Design:

New technologies have transformed construction techniques, influencing the architectural designs heavily. From steel enables modern skyscrapers, cladding innovations, these designs are continuously evolving with the help of CAD which allows to create structures that are out of this world.

• 3D Printed Buildings:

This has revolutionized the way we saw architecture, a time consuming, labor intensive job which now can not only be done faster but yield the desired results.  The first 3D-printed concrete bridge opened in Holland in 2017. A whole new market emerged when 3D-printing was used in large scale developments, opening new ventures and exploration of architectural designs

• Extensive eco-friendly designs:

Building from eco-friendly materials has become a talk of the past. Designers are experimenting with more sustainable materials such as soil-based structures, building with living materials. For example the ‘living terra’ where seeds are used along terracotta to make outdoor walls. This allows for the interior and exterior to go green with vertical gardens, green rooftops and a focus on green walls.

• Building vertically:

With limited land resource, designers are required to design tall. Architectural designs now have limited footprints but increased heights. Using latest software and tools, they are able to not only design and visualize but can make it structurally sound as well.

• Modular Architecture:

Modular forms have proved to be more functional as they acquire less space but provide the same services. They can be easily made off-site which is a benefit on its own as the manufacturing process is not influenced by weather, it costs less and produces less waste, making these buildings environmental friendly as well.

Architectural design has the ability to create a positive change, influence our lives and improve the environment. Architects and designers are making responsible decisions by prioritizing social and environmental impacts in their designs in order to paint a picture of not only happy home but also a healthy world. By embracing new technologies and sustainable practices, we can build a world where our living spaces inspire us, connect us with nature, and stand the test of time. The future of architecture is about human resilience, and the constant pursuit of harmony with the world around us.

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