2020 VISION | DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE TRENDS

With 2020 well underway, it’s important to keep up to date with the evolving trends within modern architecture. Much-like British weather, the design world is consistently changing, and whilst it’s important to remain distinctive, it is absolutely essential to understand what’s going on.

Trends are like a conveyor belt, they pass along and have their moment and then usually loop back around at a later time. With the arrival of the new decade, we are keen to dissect which trends are here to stay and identify those we are happy to leave behind…

1. Sustainable Design + Process

This will not come as a shock to anyone reading this – over the past few years, the world has (thankfully) taken more interest in the concept of sustainability and specifically within the design industry, architects, designers, developers, etc. have become more conscious about the environmental impact of their processes.

With this in mind, designs have become more industrialised, as the use of recycled materials has become a recurring feature and will continue to dominant designs moving forward. The rehabilitation of old buildings and materials has also been a key focus, as increasing the lifespan of historical structures and their materiality is at the core of many design procedures moving forward. This evolving movement towards our environmental commitment will continue to be a common trend in 2020 as we become increasingly more respectful of our impact on the planet.

1. Inviting Open Space

Open spaces have become increasingly appreciated as a key aspect of spaces within the home. With wellbeing and mental-health at the core of many discussions in the new year, viewing the home as a sanctuary where one can relax and mellow down, but also create a healthy environment to potentially work from home or workout means that open spaces are both adaptable and versatile in their uses.

There is also the growing social trend of saving money and the home becoming a place to socialise as well as live, therefore the use of open space contributes to this concept.

1. Stripping Back to Neutral

The inclusion of nature and authenticity within he interior space is widely accepted as a trend within the new decade. This, in conjunction with neutral tones, natural light creates an ambience of warmth and light that reflects an organic environment that is both clean and inviting.

1. The Outdoors

To touch upon the concept of wellbeing once again, the inclusion of outdoor space as a key architectural trend is growing. Whilst this has been disregarded as an important feature, the blend of amenity space with mental wellbeing has proven to create a positive environment.

This has also been a key concept in terms of design, as the fusion of exterior space within interior space is becoming more and more trendy. The increase in succulents as both a stylish element of design as well as a practical contribution to wellbeing aspects e.g. purifying the air, etc. has meant that there is a fluid transition between the outdoor area within an indoor environment.

1. Technology

In sharp contrast to the appreciation for nature, we cannot avoid the inevitable – with modern society adapting to the advancements in technology, our homes and interior spaces are becoming increasingly more automated and reliant on machinery. There are many perks to accepting automated systems within a design; it creates ease, sleeckness, and remains in line with the growth of our society.