Architecture

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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [More]

Implications - Items that traditionally stack or collapse usually do so for ease of storage or transport. Creatively designed objects and products that garner functionality while both expanded and compressed help consumers and businesses alike to maximize their available resources. Brands can employ a function-forward stacking mindset to create multifaceted conduits that more deeply engaging consumers, piquing curiosity throughout the very experience of employing them. [More]

Implications - As consumer demand for corporate social good increases with the rise of Millennial and Gen Z power, construction companies are leveraging their ingenuity to create much needed refuge in developing countries. Architectural projects in these zones demonstrate creativity and adaptability from companies that challenge themselves to build fast, safe and low-cost buildings that, in turn, go a long way towards bringing awareness as well as relief to communities globally. [More]