# Symbiotic Design Architecture and consumer goods that intuitively make the world cleaner. By [Marissa Brassfield](https://www.trendhunter.com/Marissa), Ridiculously Efficient CEO | Published Mar 23, 2009, updated Oct 28, 2009 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/symbiotic-design-architecture-and-consumer-goods-that-intuitively-make-the ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Symbiotic Design trend? **Symbiotic Design:** Consumers are interested in improving their environment, but not necessarily by clogging up precious real estate. Symbiotic designs that can serve their primary purpose, but do so in a way that also naturally enhances the ambient air or water quality, are both efficient and beneficial. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: May 28, 2008 to Feb 10, 2009 - Published: Mar 23, 2009 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Symbiotic Design trend ### Symbiotic Design Symbiotic designs that serve their primary purpose and naturally enhance air and water quality offer disruptive innovation opportunities in the architecture and consumer goods industries. ### Air and Water Purification Mechanical and natural filtration systems for purifying air and water offer potential for disruptive innovation in the architecture and consumer goods industries. ### Green and Environmentally-Friendly Materials Innovation in green and environmentally-friendly building materials present disruptive opportunities in the construction and building materials industries. ## What the Symbiotic Design trend means for industry ### For Architecture Symbiotic designs offer opportunities for architects to incorporate air and water purification into their buildings, and CO2-scraping architecture provides an environmentally-friendly alternative in a high-pollution industry. ### For Consumer Goods Potential disruption in the consumer goods industry by incorporating air and water purification into everyday items like umbrellas and air purifiers. ### For Construction and Building Materials Innovative materials like carbon-eating cement are gaining traction in a construction industry that is interested in eco-friendly and sustainable building practices. ## Trend signals for Symbiotic Design Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 55%, activity 40%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 55% - Activity: 40% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Symbiotic Design trend 5 featured examples from May 28, 2008 to Feb 10, 2009. - [Water-Filtering Bridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/china-miyi-tower): China's Miyi Tower Will Clean River Below, Foster Cultural Arts Above (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunities for architects to create innovative designs that integrate water filtration systems into their structures. - [Rain Filtering Umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-rain-filter-umbrella-the-filterbrella-by-andrew-leinonen): The Filterbrella (Category: Fashion) Implication: The Filterbrella has the potential to disrupt the outdoor gear industry, providing consumers with a new, eco-friendly take on an essential item. - [Aeroponic Home Air Filters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breathe-easy-aeroponic-air-filter): ‘Breathe Easy' is Packed With Toxin-Absorbing Plants (Category: Eco) Implication: The home air purification industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating aeroponic growing systems and toxin-absorbing plants in their products. - [Air-Filtering Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/co2-scraper): The 'CO2 Scraper' is a Carbon-Positive Creation for High-Pollution Area (Category: Eco) Implication: The construction industry should explore innovative ways to develop structures that actively improve air quality in high-pollution areas - [Carbon-Eating Cement](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-building-materials-hungry-carbon-eating-cement-absorbs-co2): Hard and Hungry 'Novacem' Eco-Building Materials Absorb CO2 (Category: Eco) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implementing carbon-eating cement in construction projects to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) ## Trending in Eco - [Backpack-Sized Folding Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blizwheel-f05) - [Aftermarket Cyclist Motor Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asus-oxiis-e250g1) - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Sustainability-Focused Brand Progress Reports](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performance-summary) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)