A Trend Change in Building Design

The Future of Building Design

By Dinesh D. Shah

We have all witnessed changes in trends for various things such as apparel, fashion, food, music, and culture. Likewise, there has also been a change in building design trend in the last several years. In general, these trend changes occur due to the “5M” factors, such as Material (shortage), Manpower (labor shortage), Market (supply and demand), Money (financing and interest rates), and Mis-Manageable causes (hurricane, earthquake or COVID Pandemic). These challenges and changes are fascinating innovative product technology, which has allowed the development of new styles in building design. The design change occurs due to the change in people’s lives with their requirements, comforts, convenience, cost of maintenance and utilities, healthy living, and lately, the functional concept of the “working from home office” (WHO) mainly due to the covid pandemic.

Let us take a closer look at the change in today’s building design trends…

The concept of WHO is the latest general design trend that developed in 2020 and has picked up steam and remained strong in 2022. This new hybrid lifestyle means that various interior and exterior spaces are being adapted to accommodate different needs and activities. For example, a guest bedroom or living room with a built-in library can be used as an office. (Refer Conceptual Photo – Working from Home Office)

Working from home office - New trend in building design after Covid Pandemic

A Trend Change in Building Design

The Performance Path to Energy Code Compliance

Photo Credit APA - The Engineered Wood Association

When designing the WHO, the focus is to be for the day-today needs of the space. The functionality, practicality, and aesthetics are also equally important. In addition, to build a better home, the design and details include key elements of a residential structure such as roofs, walls, foundation, moisture and hurricane resistance, energy efficiency, and the interior and exterior elements of a home. “Thirty to forty years ago, the wood siding, metal panels, and bricks were extensively used for the exterior of the home. Today, it is done aesthetically with a mix of precast stone, stucco, bricks, and cement blocks,” says Anthony Vu, a new AIBD Member, and Owner of AMC Design in Houston, Texas.

Due to the continuous rise in utilities cost, energy efficient buildings with the latest technological equipment controlled by mobile applications have become a very important design trend nowadays. Designers optimize it with a whole-house system approach and use of Optimum Value Engineering which is also called Advance Framing Technique. In addition, the homeowners consider various Energy-Efficient elements such as – exterior cool roofs, insulation with highly reflective materials in the attic, airtight windows, doors, skylights, high quality roofing material, trees and shrubs around the house, window shades, advanced system of solar panels, HVAC system with a programable thermostat and high efficiency air filters, ceiling fans, water heaters, kitchen appliances, energy efficient LED lighting with an on/off programable application, and many others. (Refer conceptual photo – The Performance Path to Energy Code Compliance).

New Design Trend for the house with swimming pool, small backyard, exterior aesthetic style with stucco & wood, and landscaping view from inside through glass windows

Another current popular design trend is emphasizing the spaces with the touch of high-end wallpapers, arches and curves in the wall, doorways and ceiling, accent walls with bold paint, LED lighting, and classic look black hardware. The homeowners like the exterior to meet interior by installing the exterior material like wood, quartz, brick, and stone for the fireplace, family room, and office space walls. They also like to connect with nature by creating a garden room, floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize sunlight, fresh air, and adding plants to create a home office sanctuary. “The light wood and wide-plank laminate flooring is becoming more popular for both commercial and residential spaces, due to water-resistance, stainresistance, embossed/distressed textures, and highvariation options,” stated by Azar Shaheen, a new AIBD Associate Member and a longtime businessman in flooring.

There is a growing demand in bathrooms with individual’s personal touch and passion, from the typical old-style bathroom to a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, multi jets jacuzzi, new design fixtures, and large his and her closets.

The recent pandemic has encouraged many families to perform and enjoy the art of cooking. So, the kitchen has become a desirable element. The trend of countertops and cabinets have changed from laminated material to granite counter tops and wooden cabinets painted in a warm, or natural look finish. It has transformed the new design mainly with an island on the side wall and another island in the center with an extended countertop, which allows for a multi-purpose use, such as dining, schooling, and performing office work from home.

Due to the increase in vacationing costs, the outdoor backyard space is now used as a ‘Staycation’. In the AIA’s 2021 survey, the outdoor spaces have increased from 61 percent to 70 percent. Outdoor backyard entertainment and dining has become a trend of luxury. Elements like cooking grill, furniture with colorful cushions, fire pit, television, cool lighting, landscaping, and a waterfall feature continue to be the trend. The glass sunroom addition is also an alternative due to climate conditions. (Refer conceptual photo – Pool & Backyard)

Luis Diaz, a New AIBD Member and Owner of Diaz Design and Build, LLC, Houston, Texas, appropriately summarized the trend in design change with a brief and precise statement, “Many years ago, the homeowners wanted the simple look square design house with smaller rooms, and large bare backyards with no fence, which has now changed to modern look home with open concept inside and a smaller backyard outside with artificial grass, colorful landscaping, and modern fence for privacy.”

Dinesh D. Shah

has been engaged in planning, designing, and building of commercial and residential projects for over 45 years in Sugar Land, Texas.