Trends come and go in every field, but they can have a huge impact on different industries. Construction and the built environment is definitely one of them. The key thing here is buildings are more permanent than fashion, music, film, and other sectors. Therefore, you need to be careful and shouldn’t focus solely on what is popular at the moment. It’s better to think about the current landscape while also looking to the future. We want to explore that here, examining what is currently trending in commercial architecture and where it could go in the years ahead.

Certifications

One thing that is very popular and is unlikely to go out of fashion is the demand to display green credentials. It’s something every business needs to think about because consumers are increasingly passionate about the environment.

There are some key things to look at here. If you’re designing architecture, including offices or retail space, explore the various green certifications. The goal should be to design your buildings so you can achieve the certification. Consider the key benchmarks, particularly energy efficiency, environmental performance, and indoor air quality. The credentials can add a lot of value to properties and is also a great way to ensure you comply with standards.

Energy

Sustainability is a hot topic in all kinds of industries. It’s definitely significant in the construction industry. A key part of this is a drive to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. A critical thing to look at is how to reduce energy consumption. This includes using efficient HVAC systems, lighting, and key services. At the same time, renewables like solar panels are very popular. Ideally people want commercial architecture that can generate clean, sustainable energy.

Smart technology

Another thing that is trending and showing no sign of stopping is smart tech. It’s better than ever and advancing all the time. Most importantly, you can rely on it to achieve various goals including improving energy efficiency and the indoor environment. There are even solutions for more effective building monitoring and automation. This can improve maintenance, reduce costs, and provide long term savings.

The wider community

Businesses today need to have a wider focus than ever before. In terms of buildings, they need to think about how they will impact local communities. Could a project fit into a wider urban regeneration project and improve key things like walkability? Could you create public amenities like accessible green space? It’s vital to keep in mind that good commercial architecture can create value for the community as well as the businesses.

Circular economy

The materials you choose for buildings can have a big impact on the environment. This goes beyond the resources it takes to produces them; it also includes energy and resources for maintenance plus everything at the end of their life. A big trend at the moment is to support the creation of a circular economy. The goal here is to choose materials that are suitable for recycling or re-use. It is a far greener approach because it diverts waste away from landfill.

Health and wellbeing

Finally, and potentially the most important trend, businesses need to make sure workplaces have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. People are more selective about where they work today. They favour companies that give them healthy workplaces. So, focus on this, including things like air quality and comfort. The covid pandemic also showed how important it is to look at resilience and make sure properties are easy to adapt in case there are health crises.

Delivering outstanding commercial architecture

As you can see, there are several key trends to think about. If you can tick all of the boxes, you can create incredible buildings. However, as we said, don’t focus solely on what is trending or ticking things off. Think about what will be important in the future and what opportunities could be available.

If you need some help, we’d love to provide it. Coffey Architects has experience in the commercial sector, supporting businesses in different industries. We can design the ideal properties to help you achieve your goals. So, contact us today.