Top architectural trends of 2022
Architecture is such an expansive and creative field – it’s one of the many reasons I’ve fallen in love with the industry. Innovation is a norm, and architects are constantly outdoing their own ideas. This reinvention results in architectural structures that are fresh, inventive, and interesting. These trends are often revised and enhanced versions of pre-existing architectural ideas, or even completely new ones that have taken the industry by storm.
I’ve curated a collection of intriguing architectural trends that made waves in 2022 and could dominate 2023. From sustainable and minimal tiny homes to architectural designs that literally float on water, these trends have been promising in the way they’ve changed and diversified our cities.
Reinvention of Historical Styles
As a relatively young country, Australia has a long history of adapting and borrowing elements from other cultures which has seen an uprise in architecture during the year. A classic example of this in recent times, is the adoption of Hamptons style housing, replicating the luxurious Long Island beach houses of affluent New Yorkers.
Other ways our architecture has been reinventing historical styles includes to the adaption of the Palm Springs style mixing living mid-century modern architecture suited to hot, desert environments with the arches, stonework, and whitewashed walls of Spanish influenced Californian architecture. These arches and curved forms are became more and more prevalent in many new houses built throughout 2022, reflected heavily in the Art Deco aesthetic which emerged in the early 1900s.
Brutalism is another style that has emerged as a trend, driven largely by the current shortage in building materials. Brutalism originates from 1950s post war and is characterised by bare materials with amplified monolithic structural elements. Fortunately, we are seeing it manifest as design features such as thicker materials, differently textured concrete, and recessed windows.
Façade Treatments
This particular trend is certainly one I’ve been adapting into my projects over the last couple years and I’m quite happy with that.
This is particularly prevalent with homeowners concealing the garage door within the wall plane in order to present as a uniform flat façade. Although it also includes elaborate fencing, gatehouses, as well as soleil treatments or a Brise (screening applied to the façade of a building outside windows and walls).
A Brise is used for both sun shading and privacy, and takes many forms including patterned brickwork, perforated aluminium screens, or vertical battens.
Other façade treatments are achieved by utilising cascading plants that spill over the front of the building from planters incorporated at upper levels.
Tiny Homes
Since the pandemic, we’ve been trying to incorporate sustainability into every aspect of our lives, and this hasn’t stopped at architecture. With everyone aspiring toward eco-friendly living, tiny homes have taken over the world of architecture and cemented their place as sustainable, minimal and economical.
What started as a cute little trend, is turning into a serious option for your home. They’re simple and minimal alternatives to the imposing and materialistic homes. Something even The Sims has recognised in the past!
Prefabricated Architecture
Prefabricated architecture gained quite a lot of momentum in 2022. The concept involves making buildings entirely, or even various components at one location better suited for construction and once completed is transported to the final site. Prefabricated architectural designs have a multitude of benefits including keeping costs down, are more sustainable and efficient, and pay attention to simplicity and modularity.
DIY Architecture
Imagine building up and creating your own home. How amazing would it be to lounge and live in something you built with your own hands? Let me introduce you to IKEA meets architecture. These architectural designs are simple DIY structures that are often flat-packed or come with a complete kit that helps you with the entire step-by-step process. The trend proves how simple and economical DIY architecture can be.
See this DIY House by Reset Architecture
Sustainable Architecture
In 2022, living in a sustainable, conscious, and smart manner has never been more imperative. Our homes should seamlessly integrate with and nourish the planet. In an effort to encourage an eco-friendly way of life, sustainable architecture has been gaining immense popularity among architects. They have been designing sustainable buildings that harmoniously merge with nature. They reduce their carbon footprint and encourage a sustainable and clean lifestyle.
3D Printed Architecture
Nowadays almost everything is being 3D printed, why should architecture be the exception? Many architectural firms are adopting 3D printing as a preferred technique to construction. As a result, 3D printed architecture is gained a lot of popularity and paved a path for itself in modern architecture throughout 2022.
This trend has tons of benefits, so why shouldn’t it gain traction? It’s a simple, efficient, and innovative technique that lowers the risk of errors while also saving time in construction. 3D printed architecture eradicates a lot of tedious steps in the construction process and is being used to build homes, habitats on Mars, and even floating islands.