Among the trends impacting the building industry are the growing popularity of industrial style, the reimagining of existing spaces, adaptation of eco-friendly materials and approaches, and of course, leaning in around smart uses of emerging technologies. Read on to explore the latest thinking.
Value, Sustainability, and Flexibility
At the O’Conor Company, Chris Lowe observes, “The construction industry is at a crossroads, where more traditional approaches are being combined with new technologies while addressing the issue of sustainability.” One big example of how innovation and practicality are increasingly intertwined is the ever-widening use of industrial style construction:
The industrial construction style has become popular in many different use areas, including private houses, offices, and social facilities, due to its emphasis on using natural products, clear and spacious rooms, and practical and aesthetic aspects of the building. By highlighting a structure’s exposed vents, electrical wiring, and structural supports like beams and pillars in the construction process, contractors turn what would have been simple utilitarian parts into a beautiful, more artistic design. High vaulted roofs and ample open spaces increase the sense of scale and give rooms a more active feel….Industrial design is versatile and can be applied to various structures. Combined with wood or fabrics in residential houses, it helps seamlessly blend contemporary construction designs with a sense of coziness. At the same time, its use in commercial structures creates a clean and business-like environment without appearing harsh.
Given both the demand for speed and efficiency, and environmental concerns, more attention in the construction industry is also being turned to adapting and repurposing existing spaces. Though structural challenges tend to make revitalization projects difficult to take on, the possibilities can be tantalizing:
Structures like warehouses, factories, and even ancient buildings are being transformed into residential lofts, co-working spaces, and boutique hotels.Repurposing existing buildings has the added bonus of sustainability. When destroyed, old buildings cause pollution and waste, which is hazardous to the environment….Repurposing structures reduces the amount of garbage discarded and the resources used … .It is possible to transform repurposed buildings into remarkably beautiful structures. A warehouse, for instance, can be left as it is but with the addition of modern comforts. The use of open ceilings, old wood, and new concrete floors gives the feeling that one is between the past and the present, creating new spaces that commonly appeal to people who appreciate eco-friendly and unique architecture in their environment.
Of course, technology is driving projects in new directions these days too. In addition to the ways builders are learning to leverage technology for operational efficiencies, Lowe points out that intelligent systems, “encompassing lighting, thermal comfort management, and security,” are improving the quality of life while also reducing the consumption of energy. In sum, industry experts predict that value, sustainability and flexibility will be driving forces on most builds for the foreseeable future.
Good To Know: New Material and Modular Fabrication
At Revolutionized, Emily Newtown points out that innovations to overcome shortages and price volatility are making new materials increasingly available to builders, and modular fabrication is also gaining traction:
- Construction leaders are under increased pressure to cut construction material costs and find sustainable materials. These two trends…have led to many in the sector developing new building materials that meet both of these aims. Some of them involve recycling construction and demolition (C&D) waste to create engineered wood or aggregate…Such efforts reduce the overall quantities of construction materials ending up in landfills.
- Modular construction happens when most of the structure gets built offsite before being transferred to the final destination. Prefabrication is similar and involves making or assembling certain components elsewhere and attaching them to the building later. Together, these options target much of the waste and transportation-related emissions typically associated with construction. They also often allow the building process to proceed more efficiently, with fewer errors or budgetary overruns.
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