The City of London has always been a melting pot for innovative architectural designs. And in recent years there’s been a surge in architectural based ideas, creativity & innovation within the architecture industry with new design trends emerging that are changing the look of London’s skyline. From sustainable designs to the use of smart technology. Here are some of the very latest trends that are appearing in modern day London building design architecture.
Sustainability
Sustainability in buildings has become a one of the major trends in The City of London’s design architecture. With a major focus swung towards reducing carbon emissions to an absolute minimum (Zero in some cases.), and at the same time creating much more environmentally friendly spaces, (whether work or home), numerous building architects are using eco-friendly materials and architectural designs to create eco-friendly sustainable structures, from homes to offices, warehouses to retail outlets. These environmentally friendly buildings incorporate green roofs, solar panels, and efficient insulation to create energy-efficient spaces. The modern-day design of the buildings also allows for maximum use of natural light and ventilation reducing the need for artificial lighting and conventional air conditioning. Which is not only beneficial to the energy costs but the people who work or reside in them.
Smart Technology
Smart Technology also known as Smart Tech has come on leaps and bounds since the first humble home hubs such as Alexa and Google smart devices have entered homes and with a huge growth in the smart device market sector in both home and business, smart technology has revolutionised building design architecture in The City of London. Architects are now incorporating smart technology into their designs to create more efficient and responsive buildings. Monitored by various sensors and controlled by a smart hub, buildings and structures can adjust their temperature, lighting, and energy use based on whether people are in there (no point having the lights on in an empty room!) and usage, resulting in more energy-efficient and more comfortable spaces. The integration of smart tech into the designs provides greater convenience and ease of use for occupants, whether office workers, retail staff, customers, or residents.
Biophilic Design
From the Latin Biophilia, which quite literally translates as ‘The Love of Life!’, biophilic design is making a commoner appearance in architectural designs. This approach focuses on incorporating natural elements into building design to create a more harmonious and healthy living and working environment. Biophilic buildings incorporate natural materials and colours, such as wood and stone, and feature natural light and greenery. There is a synergistic approach incorporating modern technology as well as natural patterns, shapes as well as integrating organic materials to ultimately produce a more calming and pleasing on the eye appearance.
Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse or could even be called upcycling in some cases is a trend that involves repurposing existing buildings for new uses. This approach not only helps to preserve historical and cultural landmarks of which London has many! but also creates a more sustainable use of resources. Adaptive reuse buildings or upcycled buildings and structures can be transformed into a wide range of spaces, such as retail, office, or residential spaces, depending on the needs of the community. And it allows architects to be innovative and creative in production of their designs.
Mixed-Use Developments
Mixed-use developments or multi-purpose developments are becoming more popular in new buildings in London. With floor space costs whether business or residential at a premium these building developments combine residential, retail, and office spaces in one building or site. This approach creates a more vibrant and dynamic community by bringing together several types of occupants and users and creating a more diverse and integrated urban environment. This is a perfect architectural solution to combat the rising costs and overheads as well as the justification of new developments in London.
Modular Design
Another innovation in the architecture industry is the use of modular design. This clever technology is almost akin to Lego bricks, where components (as opposed to 2×2 and 4×4 bricks) are connected to construct the building. Want to add an extra office? No problem, slot one on here. The results of using modules means that the build is quicker (in fact tech now exists where modules can be printed onsite using a large 3D printer), less wasteful, and a flexible way to customisation and construction of the building or structure, as well as lending to allowing architects to get creative on how the pieces go together.
London’s building design architecture Evolving
The architecture (as well as the skyline) of London is evolving at a rapid pace, not just with offices, but also residential dwellings, warehousing and retail outlets, with much more focus toward the greener (more environmentally friendly) approach, the integration of smart technology, as well as new modern technology and innovations allowing buildings to be erected faster, the shape of London’s architectural designs and structures are evolving to keep The City London ahead of the game as one of the world’s most dynamic, diverse, and vibrant cities and the beating heart of The United Kingdom.