Eco Architecture Consumer Insights

Implications - Architects have traditionally used polygonal shapes in building design, creating structures with straight lines and little to no curved surfaces. However, more architects are experimenting with curvilinear shapes -- in particular, cylinders. The tubed shape of a cylinder offers an interesting contrast to the typical cube or rectangular prism, and it may also mean that less material is required (and therefore, less waste) to manipulate into a structure.

Implications - While many consumers still love to be pampered when they go on vacation, others are preferring practicality over luxury. Hotel owners and designers, in response, are developing minimalist and compact establishments that provide a comfortable stay without going over the top. This keeps costs low for both the hotel and the customer, while at the same time saves space and provides environmental benefits through minimized waste.

Implications - Thermal energy is completely sustainable, making it appealing to modern consumers looking to mitigate the effects of global warming. The architecture field has particularly taken a shining to geothermal energy and incorporated it as a key element in several modern designs. Looking forward, this method of energy could be used in a variety of settings.

Implications - As family sizes continue to shrink, modern architecture is moving away from opulent, large-scale homes towards smaller, more minimalist designs. This simplified approach offers comfort, aesthetics and status to the modern consumer in a more sustainable form. Instead of space and luxury, this shift suggests that the next generation of families are more interested in reducing their footprint both in terms of square footage and consumption.

Implications - Public and residential architecture is seeing a widespread incorporation of indoor gardens as consumers become more invested in both the health and sustainability of their environments. This continued blurring of indoor and outdoor spaces speaks to the influence of the eco movement in determining aesthetic preferences, as well as the desire for enhanced quality of life.

Implications - Consumers are seeing the widespread integration of natural interior spaces designed to facilitate moments of tranquility in chaotic urban settings. Often designed to filter out distractions and allow one to connect with their thoughts, such spaces highlight the relationship between one's environment and overall well-being, as well as the need to take dedicated breaks from the connected world in the pursuit of self-preservation. In addition to highlighting the modern emphasis on mental wellness and its relationship to functional design, this progression speaks to the desire to "unplug" in a world of constant connectivity.

Implications - As consumers become more conscious of their consumption, they increasingly consider certification when it comes to purchasing a home. Passively powered or energy-neutral residences are not only more socially responsible; they are also more cost-effective, and it is the reduced expenditure that is driving consumer interest in both clean energy services and eco design. The widespread adoption of new techniques in energy efficiency speak to the rising cost of living and maintenance.

Implications - Millennials are more environmentally conscious than any other generation, gravitating toward sustainable brands. They are also inherently competitive and status-driven. Products that are upcycled, yet high quality, satisfy both needs. These products also act as ethical status symbols, showcasing that the consumer is not just better, but a better person than their peers.

Implications - Whether it is creating meditative spaces or ones that directly interact with their surrounding environments, the pavilions that architects are designing provide immersive environmental experiences. These sanctuaries can be seen popping up in both urban and natural landscapes and are a reactionary response to the era of climate change, where there exists an increased desire among consumers to engage with nature as both a personal responsibility and for peace of mind.

Implications - Drawing energy from bustling city hubs, urban infrastructure is seeing a transition towards roads and sidewalks that can channel the power from huge concentrations of people towards making positive impacts on the surrounding environment. This impending shift is coming at an opportune time alongside the emergence of eco-conscious vehicles, ensuring that the cities themselves will also be up-to-par with the new wave of environmental technologies.