Architecture Consumer Insights

Trend - Dentist offices are differentiating themselves by taking on an informal and modern look. This comes as young people today seek out products and experiences that specifically reflect who they aspire to be.

Insight - Millennials tend to be aesthetic-driven when buying products and services, whether that's for home items they purchase or choosing which restaurants they frequent. Much of this is driven by social media trends, where young people present curated images of themselves and their lifestyles in a way that's tied to the identity they'd like to project. Thus, these aesthetic shifts are impacting even the most unlikely spaces.

Implications - As remote work becomes increasingly common, some homeowners are investing in prefab office spaces that function as extensions to their houses. This shift serves consumers who prefer some form of isolation when working in order to enhance their productivity, despite the flexibility that remote work often allows.

Implications - With climate change's impact now visible and only set to worsen over time, schools are aiming to better prioritize eco-friendly designs and programs in order to reduce their impact. This shift comes as consumers look to better prepare Gen Z to deal mitigate and deal with climate change, as their generation will be the most affected by its consequences.

Implications - Designers creating micro-climate infrastructure, whether in the form of contained structures or in added features to existing structures, are aiming to promote eco-friendly construction and living. These spaces set a precedent for how the future of design can coincide with solutions to climate change.

Implications - Shipping containers have been serving as an effective eco alternative to housing and retail locations for a while now, and with that, we’re seeing a shift toward the creation of more social, cultural hubs through these sustainable structures. As consumers grow more conscious of environmental initiatives, they’re seeking out more accessible ways to involve themselves, and shipping container communities are popping up to help support that. These communities not only offer elements of retail, but are expanding into nightlife, entertainment and spaces for start-ups as well. The expansion of different businesses in these sustainable spaces speak to the shift in how consumers interact and experience eco living. The community-focus not only encourages consumers to explore and interact with others, but it also allows them to experience eco-friendly initiatives in a much more approachable and experiential way.

Implications - Offering more than just a place for fun and physical activity, modern playgrounds are incorporating art and educational elements to enhance the experience overall. The focus towards more aesthetic architectural designs not only adds visual appeal for kids and adults alike, but the designs are also integrating functional benefits that seek to support things like physical disabilities, socialization and culture. These examples around more thoughtfully designed playgrounds speaks to the need to not only engage children, but engage them with elements that challenge them physically, mentally and culturally as well.

Implications - As an educational institution's ability to attract top talent remains a marker of its overall success, an increasing number of schools and research facilities are investing in building net-zero infrastructure. This shift serves as a reflection of the forward-facing values that many students and intellectuals across disciplines have surrounding sustainability.

Implications - As urban environments continue to grow, there is an increased demand for fast and reliable construction to happen at any time; as a result, brands are creating high-tech products to aid current human capabilities. Drones, robotics, and AI are all playing a key role in the progression of the construction industry. This new shift within infrastructure development will allow humans to work alongside technology to create cities of the future in safer environments.

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.

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.