2020 has a lot in store for architecture and 3D visualization. While the whole world is looking for the most sustainable solutions, architecture has been on a sustainability campaign for the past couple of years. Almost all architecture studios are working on the most eco-friendly architectural and development solutions.

Modern society is evolving towards architectural trends and environmental commitment as a social manifestation. Self-sufficient buildings, eco-friendly installations of all types and sorts, the use of recyclable materials, all industries are trying to make a transition toward incorporating more planet-friendly solutions, practices, and so on.

With the ever-increasing awareness towards eco-friendliness and respect for the planet, 2020 will set the foundation for future developments. So far, we saw the rise of the most powerful rendering engines, virtual and augmented reality, AI, 3D printing, etc.

No matter how great they are, all these achievements are still just the tip of the iceberg. The future is ahead of us, and it’s bright as the sun. Since we’re looking at digital transformation right now, it’s safe to say that there are many great things to come in the fields of 3D visualization and architecture.

With all this in mind, let’s delve deeper into the trends that are yet to come and the impact they’ll have on the architecture industry.

Open Spaces

There’s been a level of clearness and transparency, and commitment to seamlessly integrate various open areas of the home to create a new concept of interior environments.

Creating prevalent and diaphanous spaces has been on the agenda of multiple architecture studios for quite some time now. Still, this trend is becoming increasingly popular among architecture and 3D visualization companies.

The concept of open spaces is a great solution that allows homeowners and contractors to use available space more conveniently and get more with less. It’s a trend that can contribute to building more practical spaces for entire families, as well as working environments.

Multipurpose Spaces

Partitioned walls are incredibly useful in both designing and constructing spaces. The multipurpose spaces include using a building, and all other materials, as an interconnecting link between areas.

By linking spaces in a building, contractors, designers, and architects can add a multipurpose dimension to any room in a more consistent way to gain more light and space. It’s like taking multiple rooms and combining them into one single yet multipurpose space.

The most common example of a multipurpose space is the integration of the living room and the kitchen. Homeowners do it for the sake of gaining a few meters more of living space.

It helps with home improvement and reconstruction projects. If you’ve always felt that it would be better for your home to join the terrace with the living room, there’s no need not to. Multipurpose spaces will open a whole new dimension of opportunities for the use of traditional spaces, developing new ways to redefine spaces.

Industrial Spaces as Inspiration

With a renewed focus on industrial and public spaces, this trend is also linked to sustainability. It can help create beautiful industrial and public spaces with one main goal in mind – to encourage entire societies to reevaluate the way they view the nature around them.

Eco-friendly is the biggest trend in the world, regardless of the industry. It all comes down to developing eco-friendlier buildings that won’t endanger the natural world around them.

Industrial aesthetics can also easily take on residential projects. Interior design is still among the leading trends of embracing industrial standards within residential projects and developments. We can see that on modern buildings with exposed brick walls. Aside from this most common feature, industrial spaces also give way to aluminum, iron, and wood.

That aside, architects are increasingly working on solutions to support more concentrated populations, and industrial spaces are a great inspiration for optimizing livability and enhancing urban density.

That’s why designing spaces that are multifunctional and nimble is so important today. They take up smaller areas and allow for a wide variety of needs. With the population increasing constantly, there is a growing demand for communal use.

The concept of using industrial spaces as inspiration might just help address that demand. The housing architecture is the first to integrate this newly developed industrial style. Asymmetrical forms in construction are now present in both urban infrastructures and residential buildings. The industrial style also helps reduce construction costs.

More Focus on Light

The latest developments in architectural technology contribute to the ever-increasing efforts to take advantage of natural light in the buildings. Simultaneously, this trend of shifting more focus to the light also includes integrating artificial light in the most natural way.

It can be done with any form of indirect warm light. Spaces that are more focused on light tend to look more open and livable.

White Ties Everything Together

White has many different shades, which is one of the main reasons why it has been the main protagonist in architecture for a very long time. That goes for interior design as well. Interior designers are keen on using white alone or one of the many combinations with other colors such as gray, mustard, or black.

White is a great way to provide the necessary level of luminosity to the living spaces by incorporating it in the coatings of floors and walls to additionally expand the spaces and make them look bigger. White is especially useful in reflecting all the natural light received, which is probably the biggest reason why it remains on top of every list of trends.

According to many architects, white is the most recommended option in the case of interior or dark spaces. If it’s used in the right measure, this multipurpose color can provide an excellent aesthetic to any living or working space. That’s why it’s the most used color in the offices and bathroom tiles, among many other examples.

On the other hand, modern architecture demands monochrome concepts. Since the focus is now on interiors, monochrome is extremely popular at the moment. There is something about neutral, achromatic tones in offices and living spaces that’s simply so attention-grabbing.

Eco-friendly Housing

The rise of sustainability in the modern world and the ever-increasing need for environment-friendly housing solutions gave way to many unique solutions, such as passive homes.

While eco-friendly, green architecture became increasingly popular worldwide, shifting the focus of entire industries to green buildings, passive houses are becoming more than just a trend.

This concept is now an entire philosophy that allows humans and industries to understand the importance of preserving our natural habitat. Stopping the development of the world is mission impossible – however, we can do so much by reducing carbon footprints and preserving nature.

Passive home design is completely focused on maximizing energy savings, using available resources, and reducing carbon footprints along the way. It can help improve the quality of life and health of all those who inhabit these houses.

Sustainable living has been the main goal for many industries, and nearly all new developments are aiming to contribute to this goal. Reducing the environmental impact is fine, but we’re talking about sustainable housing that can actually improve the environment around it.

Modern Minimalism

Minimalism has always been present in architecture. Throughout the centuries, minimalism had evolved just like architecture did. When it comes to architecture and 3D visualization, the trend of new minimalism refers to a dedication to simple forms using avant-garde and modern materials.

Since there is an increasing demand for hotels and homes, contract projects are the most effective solution to address this demand. The same goes for shopping centers and office buildings. The use of high quality, eco-friendly materials is one of the best ways to ensure the needed acoustic and thermal insulation that is both sustainable, environment-friendly, and economical.

Modern minimalism also greatly contributes to the overall use of space – the less cluttered it is, the more space you’ll have. That’s why it’s one of the most used concepts in both residential and commercial applications.

AI, IoT, Automation, and Other Considerations

Technology has become one of the most prominent modes by which architects deliver high-performing designs. This will apply to all other industries in the future. AI and IoT aren’t quite a trend, as both technologies have been present in the world of 3D visualization and architecture for quite some time now.

However, since 2020 is the year of full digital transformation, these technologies are yet to unlock their true potential. That’s why we already see smart homes all over the world, as well as self-driving cars and entire smart cities.

The future will see more and more companies adopting AI, IoT, automation, and every other technology to help achieve their business goals. Artificial intelligence has already done a lot for construction by giving birth to Building Information Modeling.

These data-powered models enable an entirely seamless transition between the design and construction process. Because of that, modern and advanced technology has already become a necessity in an architectural toolkit.

It enables exact data analysis, but more importantly, designers and architects can preview designs, even project entire plans of building performance and take virtual tours around buildings before they’re built.

3D modeling allows leading companies to streamline workflows and significantly speed up building processes. With a wide range of exceptional 3D modeling tools these companies have today, they can update project files and design across the board, use state of the art design simulation programs, and so much more.

Thanks to real-time rendering engines, modern 3D visualizers can provide mind-bending, photorealistic architectural visualizations. The combination of 3D rendering engines and wearable cameras and sensors enables status reporting in real-time.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence can do wonders for site management. Their ability to accurately collect, interpret, analyze, and categorize data on time saves tremendous amounts of time, effort, and resources.

All-Year-Round Outdoor Spaces

It is needless not to enjoy your balcony or terrace because it’s that time of the year. Outdoor spaces are always a good thing, and you can enjoy them throughout the year. The trick is to know how to condition them in the right way.

At the moment, glass enclosures without profiles are one of the leading trends in architecture. They are also called glass curtains, and allow you to open the enclosed spaces when the weather allows it.

Regardless of how small your outdoor space is, you can still use it during any season. If it’s the cold that bothers you, just place a portable stove to battle the cold.

Trendy Materials

When it comes to the trendiest materials in architecture at the moment, charred trees and carbon fiber are among the most demanded materials. The charred tree look is a product of a Japanese wood protection technique, Shou Sugi Ban.

To get the exact effect, the wood is treated with fire to blacken its appearance. The charred tree is a popular trending material around the world, mostly used in the facade cladding of studios, pavilions, private houses, and public buildings.

Called the building tool of the future, carbon fiber is so useful, eco-friendly, and durable. It can be used for many different purposes, but things get very interesting when you combine carbon fiber with building automation and robotics. Since it’s such diverse material, it’s expected to drive a new industrial revolution.

Conclusion

The future is going to bring many great things for architecture and 3D visualization. Modern technology continues to evolve, changing, and transforming the world around it.

While these trends bring many innovations along the way, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come.

The next couple of years will probably result in a new industrial revolution, but only time can tell what’s truly going to happen.