With the end of 2022 rapidly approaching it is a good time to look ahead to 2023 and what kind of trends we may see. There could be some big changes for commercial architecture and other kinds of buildings. These properties and urban spaces as a whole will need to adapt to changes in society, how people work, and more. They also need to continue to factor in the environment and climate goals.
Double ageing
One of the biggest challenges is the double affect of ageing populations and urban buildings getting older. It can create a very tough situation for cities and the people that live in them.
The big problem here is that as people age they need more amenities in terms of healthcare and community spaces. Plus, it can mean it is important to adapt infrastructure and buildings to make everything more accessible. However, it can be hard to do this when space is lacking. There can also be big cost pressures.
You can expect many urban areas to continue to evolve in 2023 to cater for an older population. It could mean changes to commercial architecture and homes. There will also be a need to think about social cohesion for public spaces.
Circular economies
A major thing we have seen in the last few years is a change in how people work. One of the biggest impacts of covid is there is now a bigger surplus of empty buildings, especially offices and retail spaces. In response, there are more and more projects to repurpose and diversify them. We could see even more in 2023.
The goal here is to make the whole economy more circular. What can happen is buildings can be created for original purposes like offices and retail and then change use later in life. A project like this can create housing and other amenities without needing to demolish the current property. That is much better for the environment.
Biophilic design
A sad downside of the development of urban areas is they often displace nature. This can disconnect the people who live and work here from greenery. It is even worse with high rise commercial architecture and residential towers. They can have a massive impact on biodiversity because they are so built up.
In 2023 what we may see is a bigger move to biophilic design. What this means is building designs work to connect people more effectively with nature. It could mean a change in spaces so we get more greenery in urban centres. Plus, greenery could become a bigger part of high rises. Buildings could achieve more green coverage with things like living walls and planting on terraces, courtyards and balconies.
Smarter materials
The most likely area where we will see the biggest change in architecture is the materials people use. With the backdrop of calls for more sustainability and eco-friendly building, a huge amount of research is underway to explore smart materials. There is always growth and development here, especially in terms of uses.
One thing we are likely to see more of in 2023 is smart glass. Its development has been very impressive and uses have grown steadily. So, in the coming year we will likely see more buildings with glass that can alter its level of transparency automatically.
What do you have in mind for commercial architecture?
Coffey Architects is a team that always looks forward. The future holds fantastic opportunities, especially when it comes to architecture. Changes in needs from society and the chance to use new tech and materials make it incredibly exciting. We can’t wait to see what trends it will bring.
If you are planning a project, whether it is for commercial architecture, homes, or public buildings, we would love to help. Contact us to start looking at the details.