Architecture Trends for the Coming Decade

Every year we see a new trend appear in the world of architecture and design. Some of them are timeless and some we are quick to forget. Now that a whole new decade is upon us, what might we be seeing in the world of architecture in the next ten years to come?

Not only have we welcomed in a brand new year, but we have also welcomed in a whole new decade. We've talked about design trends and styles before and how periods throughout history have created and been defined by different types of architecture. Walking through the Lowcountry and the multiple different neighborhoods Charleston is known for, you can point out and date each home by what styles and trends were popular when each was built. Some have reminded timeless, while others are quickly being torn down, dismantled, or re-purposed to hide something that only lasted in popularity for a short while.

Every year brings on an onslaught of new and budding trends along with the return of much older ones. 2020 will bring on its own set of trends in architecture, but now that we have entered a brand new decade the question begs to ask, what trends will define the next ten years ahead of us? How has and what will technology and social media do for the architectural world? What do you have to look forward to in the next ten years as you might be building your first home? As Architects, what trends should we expect to see and could potentially be incorporating into our work designs and builds from this year until 2030?

One of the most exciting things we've come across in our research and experiences thus far is that many of the expected trends and styles are some that we've already touched on in our blogs, talk about, and already work with very closely daily. We are very excited to be right at the cusp of these trends are excited to be taking quick and easy steps into the new decade.

The Old is New Again

Don't you wish this could be true about everything in life? Honestly, this trend we are already very excited about since it is already a huge part of our company daily. I'm sure you've noticed a rise in vintage flair in apparel, clothing, and in the music industry. You've seen a rise in popular period TV dramas, movies, and books. So, it should be no surprise that both urban planners and architects are upcycling old structures on a more daily basis. In almost every city in the United States, large or small, it has been through or seen its share of recessions and the fall of big industry. This has left some of the most stunning homes and buildings standing empty and abandoned. With a recent surge to rebuild these crumbling areas and neighborhoods, upcycling is helping these buildings return to their former glory. These homes and buildings are being turned into modern homes, buildings, and office spaces all while celebrating its original architecture and what makes each of them special. What's exciting about refitting these older designs is that they can be turned into almost anything. This is where the excitement and creativity come into play with these types of projects. To read more about our experiences with upcycling and refitting these structures, check out these two past blogs!

Being Bold

Bold colors are nothing strange or uncommon here in the Lowcountry. Tucked in between the crisp whites, pale blues, and grays splashes of peach, pinks, oranges, and blues and purples of every kind are proudly coloring our homes, trimmings, and shutters. These bright and beautiful colors have in one way or another always been associated with beach living and warmer tropical clients. These colors might not have received much attention in the last decade, but don't be surprised to see them making a comeback soon. The next ten years are going to be very colorful. These beautiful and daring colors are going to find their way into homes and commercial spaces alike. Social Media has already had a huge impact on this growing trend. These bright and bold colors have started to become popular backgrounds in pictures for bloggers, artists, and social media moguls alike. Their pictures are helping businesses grow and reach true "viral" quality just by being posted and tagged in the background by these online celebrities. Providing Social Media worthy pallets in your home, places of business, restaurants, and beyond will draw more eyes and more visitors to your spaces. These curious newcomers will bring business and hopefully more foot traffic all in the hopes that they too gain a larger following on their platforms. This trend is looking to be very popular for the next ten years and beyond.

The Power of Green

This exciting trend is also one that we have touched on before, and are starting to incorporate more and more into our client's homes. This is due to the popularity, need, and drive to give back to the environment, the rise in energy costs, and the popularity of sustainability. Green design and green builds are starting to become very popular in the world of architecture and design to keep up with this need and trend. The goal of these builds is to use recycled materials to build both industrial and commercial spaces, use solar panels to collect and run off of natural energy, and to save money. People want to incorporate systems into their builds that save and recycle water, and that also helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside any building while still giving their wallets a break. You may have also noticed the trend of "living walls" and roofs covered with plants and other vegetation. This helps with the cooling of a building, helps with collect water, offers a natural habitat to both plants and animals, helps give a space of calm to employees or business owners, and has been used to break up blank walls for design purposes. These living walls are starting to creep inside buildings as well. Large and beautiful eye-catching plants, like many we see here in the Lowcountry, are being brought inside to bring new to commercial and office spaces. It gives any space a breath of fresh air. To read more about this trend and type of architecture, check out the blog below!

https://www.architectureplusllc.com/blog/2019/9/2/the-power-of-sustainable-architecture

More trends that you might be seeing in 2020 and the upcoming decade are:

Maximizing outdoor spaces
The continuation and growth of the smart home
More attention to the Kitchen and Bathroom
Smaller and better-designed homes
Industrial Styles in the Home
More light, less noise
Homes built for every age group
More secured homes and safer places
More!

It looks like the next ten years are going to be very exciting. Which trend are you the most excited for? Which trend do you think will become timeless, and what do you think will be a trend that is quickly left behind? Here is to the next ten years and all the exciting projects ahead of us!

Tim HilkhuijsenFebruary 28, 2020