5 architecture trends for 2022

Words by BSBG Media Team, Friday 14 January 2022

In 2021, sustainability continued to remain a core concern for the industry. And despite the COP26 summit resulting in a level of commitment to curbing climate change that disappointed many, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry made great strides towards changing its position as the major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, and instead becoming a central solution to the climate crisis. As well as a continued push for eco-friendly design and construction, a number of additional architectural trends look likely to play out in 2022.

In our annual look ahead at what we may see in the next 12 months, we enlisted the expertise of Group Design Director, Michael Lewis, to offer his insights as we compile our 5 architecture trends of 2022.

1. Simplicity

“Minimalism and honest simplicity in design are likely to be top of everyone’s wishlist for 2022,” Michael says. “Our focus within +studio will be on the integration of clean, simple materials and beautifully crafted details. Clients and developers are demanding more from their budgets, and this is driving us as designers to be smarter in our approach and material selection.”

Minimalism in architecture is translated into the use of simple design elements, forms and modern materials. Excessive ornamentation and decoration is discarded in favour of a stripped back approach which draws focus to the purity and essence of the architectural design itself. Whether this approach will be driven by budgetary constraints or by preference in 2022, time will tell…

2. Wellness

“Year on year, wellness architecture continues to gather momentum, in particular when we think about the permanence of flexible working and work-from-home adaptive spaces,” Michael explains. Wellbeing has been a permanent fixture in our trends list for many years, however in 2022 there are additional components that, for many, add to the feeling of spiritual well-being and peace of mind.

The last two years have presented generational challenges the like of which are largely unprecedented. There is an inherent need in most of us to reconnect – with people as well as nature. But there is also an awareness of the impact our habits and consumption have on the environment. For a large proportion of people this heralds an expectancy that homes and workplaces have an obligation to demonstrate environmental awareness. This could be in terms of the materials used to construct, or energy efficiency. The more conscientious among us are more driven than ever to play their part in attempting to reverse the negative global impacts of conventional daily habits.

3. Access to natural space

Prevalent amid the depths of extended lockdowns, the craving of outdoor space was well-documented. People in their droves chose to relinquish their city abodes for a more rustic living experience. Michael says: “Access to quality natural space is critical now given the work-from-home continuation. This year I expect us to see more emphasis placed on creating affordable housing and communities that have quality outdoor space.”

4. Enhanced sustainability

“It’s more than a commitment, it’s a requirement,” Michael says. “The responsible use of materials and the rise of ‘biophilic design’ could be some of the leading trends of 2022.”

The AEC industry is directly responsible for 39% of energy and process-related CO² emissions, which makes it the largest polluting industry in the world. From architects to operators, there is a joint commitment to addressing this issue. Sustainability is top of the agenda as we move in to 2022, and it has now become a sector in its own right. Michael continues: “For us at BSBG, sustainable design is targeted at reducing the negative environmental impact of our buildings by maximising energy efficiency, utilising green construction methodology and moderating the use of materials. Our efforts in this regard are well-established within our processes, and this will continue to be the case over the coming years.”

5. Renovation and rehabilitation

“We have been observing the increase in renovation projects over the last few years,” Michael acknowledges. “We have recently been involved in the design and delivery of prestigious interventions and refurbishments, both in Dubai and London. This is a trend I expect to continue this year to revitalise older buildings, reducing the amount of new construction by adapting existing assets for new social demands.”

Renovation projects provide building owners with the advantage of lower economic costs than new builds, and they are a far more eco-friendly undertaking. With the commitment to sustainability as the priority for the industry, will more developers look to improving existing buildings as an alternative to new buildings? Research illustrates that renovation projects save up to 70% on embodied CO² emissions. This could well prove to be a factor in the decision-making process throughout 2022.

BSBG Media Team

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