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Construction/Architecture Trends 2022

At the beginning of the year we like to take a look at what the experts are predicting to be trending for the next twelve months in the worlds of commercial property, as well as design and social media  We start this exploration with a run through of some construction and architecture predictions.

For the last two years we have reported on the rise of sustainability and this looks set to continue in 2022 and beyond. Sustainable construction is now beginning to be greener and there is also a focus on retrofitting and repurposing existing buildings. 

For those working on the construction sites there will be an increase in safety  technology. As seen in previous years drones will be able to assist on sites: reaching  areas that are difficult to reach or used to quickly map out large areas and provide heat maps and thermal images. The use of environmental sensors is expected to increase. These sensors can detect wind, heat etc and therefore give warnings to workers to evacuate if need be.

The rise of AR and VR continues at a pace across many industries and it is the same for construction. This technology can be used to increase safety measures by allowing for training in a simulated environment. Augmented reality software can also produce 3D images of yet to be completed commercial property projects allowing for quick and affordable changes to be considered. 

What are some architectural design features we will see emerging? 

Exposed steel structures look to be in vogue. Perhaps because of sustainability considerations due to the fact that steel is able to withstand heavier loads and so less is needed in many structures. It appears to be popular in offices and restaurants as it gives a modern, industrial look to space. 

Glass blocks are expected to be used in designs as they provide a lot of natural light and insulation. They are also a trend from the 1970’s, which is expected to be influencing many design considerations in the coming year 

Having a good balance of indoor and outdoor space in workplaces is expected to grow, so expect to see an increase in such things as rooftop terraces and balconies 

And finally, because of hybrid working non permanent partitions are set to be popular allowing for office space to be more flexible when accommodating varying workforce sizes.  

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