Architecture

Implications - Architects are creating modular building design concepts that are able to accommodate the needs of the people they're building for, as well as the landscapes that surround them. These concepts have risen out of a need for building cities that are as architecturally functional as they are beautiful, coming on the tails of growing urban populations and the increased need for adaptability as a result.

Homework Question - Where could your brand fit modular design into its product/service or office space? [More]

Implications - More than simply repurposing or revamping old spaces, architects are creating structures that perfectly merge old and new styles that seamlessly coexist with one another, rather than being fully integrated. These structures are able to satisfy a range of architectural preferences while also having the benefit of enhanced multifunctionality.

Homework Question - Conceptualize a mixed-style or mixed-use office space for your company. [More]

Implications - While the use of 3D-printing in architecture and construction isn’t new, it is emerging as a leading source of sustainable building materials. As consumers and companies continue to become more conscientious about the impact of their individual carbon footprint, they are turning to technology to help solve the challenges of transitioning to more sustainable living.

Homework Question - How could your brand utilize technology to become more sustainable? [More]

Implications - In efforts to reduce waste polluting the ocean and other negative impacts that excess consumption can have on the environment, companies are coming up with innovative ways to empower consumers looking to make ethical purchase decisions. Brands reducing harm against wildlife and ecosystems is fundamental in preserving the earth's climate and habitats, and gives consumers more choices in their approach to consuming consciously.

Homework Question - How can your brand make environmentally conscious decisions to positively influence the behavior of consumers? [More]

Implications - Brands are employing illusory designs in their brick-and-mortar spaces in order to enhance the overall customer experience. This shift caters to the consumer preference for experiential retail spaces, while giving brands some flexibility in cost due to the fact that these illusory designs can be constructed without the addition of tech, or entirely new services within stores.

Homework Question - How could your brant employ illusory design in its products or retail spaces? [More]

Implications - As a color, Millennial pink has transcended the aesthetic appeal for more than just its named generation and crossed over into architecture. While pink architecture may not necessarily be new (one simply has to look to the history of pink architecture in areas like the Carribean and Latin America to see this), recent submissions speak to the prioritization of social shareability even in seemingly unlikely industries.

Homework Question - How could your brand adapt to emerging trends in adjacent industries? [More]

Implications - Increasingly, architects and engineers are turning to wood for the construction of eco-skyscrapers and towers. Timber is a largely unexplored building material for structures with more than three stories, but has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity due to its status as a sustainable building material. This preference is reflective of the increased emphasis and awareness that both designers and consumers have placed on sustainable products, in the face of climate change and its consequences.

Homework Question - How does your brand work to satisfy consumer standards on sustainability? [More]

Implications - With rising populations in urban centers a growing concern around the world, design firms are conceptualizing, and in some cases actually creating, floating cities or communities that could mitigate some of the risks associated with overpopulation. These creative conceptualizations would ease consumers' lifestyle-related burdens in regards to transit, housing and health, while also easing the burden on local governments' public services.

Homework Question - How can your brand contribute to a future that mitigates the lifestyle and/or business-related consequences associated with overcrowding and pollution? [More]

Implications - Bike paths in urban environments are now boasting designs that enhance the three key features that these roads must have – efficiency, safety, and the ability to lessen a city's ecological footprint. Whether elevated, solar-powered or featuring ample greenery, these pathways speak to the growing need for the reduction of both traffic and pollution in urban centers. This comes as consumers seek out forms of commute that are both efficient and cost-effective, as cities become more congested and costlier.

Homework Question - How can your brand alleviate the various costs, whether lifestyle or monetary, associated with big city-living? [More]

Implications - The increasing necessity of bikes in urban areas -- both for economical and environmental reasons -- has led to cities going further than adding bike paths in their approaches to urban planning. Instead, architectural projects are accommodating bike usage in their designs in ways that are both creative and aesthetically attractive. These enhance the quality of life for bike users, and show an acceptance that these design shifts must occur in order for urban environments to keep up with the habits of rising populations -- working towards minimizing eco and traffic-related footprints.

Homework Question - How can your brand preemptively identity issues in consumers lives related to its area of expertise, and aim to prevent them rather than address them once they have already arisen? [More]