TOP 6 Trends in Architecture for 2023

The environment around us has a significant impact on our well-being. This applies to both - private spaces like our homes to open urban settings. Our expectations for usefulness, aesthetics, and sustainability from the built environment have quickly evolved as a result of the recent difficult years. 
The architectural trends for 2023 reflect the significant movement toward deliberate living that has occurred in the last ten years. 
Other common concerns that influence how we view the built environment are the overuse of plastics in our surroundings and ways to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction industry. 
Here are the top 6 architectural trends that will be visible in 2023 

Sustainability as priority 

New generations of citizens are greener and environmentally conscious. They believe in sustainability and it is an important element of their lives. Architecture trends like eco-friendly buildings and eco-conscious living will be a reflection of their needs. Hence, sustainable solutions and materials are made of natural or recycled materials. 
Excellent design now considers the construction process, how well a structure performs its job, and what will happen to it when it is no longer required. 
Passive buildings are beneficial, but we must go further and create a climate-positive environment. Consider ways to use wood that is naturally occurring, put water recycling systems in place, and maximize the use of light, wind, and other natural resources. 

Smaller, but smarted spaces 

Grand houses with a lot of square meters will not trend this year. With the material price going up, as well as energy costs, people will be looking to keep their bills low. This way of thinking will be further supported by the sustainability trend. Smaller but smarter houses and offices will gain popularity. What do we mean by that?  
First of all, smart way to use the space. The layout of the rooms will be important. Ergonomic houses where everything is well thought out will be bestsellers. No wasted space is accepted, yet minimalism is still a thing. Hidden cabinets, well-organized pantries in the kitchen and wardrobes, and well-used spaces under the beds, stairs, and tables. In the other words, using the space as efficiently as possible.  
The smarter use of all the media. New houses will be filled with devices that help with saving energy. Smart thermostats to control the temperature in every room, heat pumps, and photovoltaics, motion lighting in traffic areas, such as corridors – all to lower energy consumption, carbon footprint and spend less on bills. Smaller spaces require less energy to keep them warm during winter and cool during summer. And really smart solutions will keep the cost down all year long.  

Inside as outside 

Bringing outside inside and vice versa will stay. A trend that grew strong during the Covid-19 pandemic, when everyone was locked inside their homes and was somehow trying to bring some nature in, is going to stay for a long time.  
Architecture that is influenced by natural light and other biophilic design aspects is becoming more prevalent. The lines between interior and outdoor settings are blurring and becoming increasingly entwined. 
Many architects blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor areas by employing the same materials in both, particularly wood to incorporate more natural surfaces. Tiles mirror natural stones. Kitchen tops are made of granite or ceramics imitating marble, all to create that "zen feeling" with nature.  
Plants are becoming important in interior design and everyday living. Many projects show a smooth transition between interior and exterior green. All to improve the well-being of the residents.  

Wood in construction 

A significant portion of the world's CO2 emission is still attributable to the construction sector, which must rapidly diminish. Because of this, using wood both for building construction and cladding is a popular trend in architecture. 
As wood uses less carbon than other structural materials, many architects have chosen to build entirely out of wood. Timber can also be used to build prefabricated or modular structures that can be put together on-site to speed up, simplify, save costs, and improve the environment during construction. 
A new trend which we strongly support is to plant new trees to make up for the trees used on the house. This way not only do we save on CO2 emissions while building but also we make up for it with new trees. 

Sensory architecture 

See it. Smell it. Squeeze it. 
Space must stimulate all five senses. As a continuation of the aforementioned trends, it is important that the home just feels good. And for it to feel good it is not enough to only look good. It is necessary to positively influence all five senses.  
Especially in the cities, residents will be looking for textures, scents, and soft sounds, as they all have a significant impact on how a person feels. Using natural materials or the ones that imitate them, can be extremely beneficial. For example, texture tiles under the shower will not only add this extra grip but also give that additional relaxation feeling to our feet.  
Then, using wood is the simplest approach to achieve this pleasant feeling because it fulfills numerous requirements at once. The warmth and comfort that wood provides are enhanced by its inherent texture and colour. Wood has strong tactile properties, particularly when you use brushed wood or combine and match profiles to give an otherwise flat surface a 3D illusion. When utilized in big numbers, wood also has a pleasing aroma that calms the mind and it also has great acoustic properties. 

Ambient lighting to create the right mood 

Design with light has been a popular trend for many years. Light can have a significant influence on how we feel. Research has shown that light can affect our mood, behaviour, and overall well-being.  
Studies have shown that exposure to natural light can improve mood and productivity in the workplace. People who work in spaces with ample natural light tend to be more productive and have better overall well-being 
Our bodies have a natural 24-hour cycle called the circadian rhythm. Light exposure can influence this cycle, which in turn affects our sleep patterns, mood, and energy levels. Lack of light, especially during winter months might lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons and less sunlight. Right light exposure in the house and office can help to regulate the body's right cycle and mood.  
Above all, spaces should have a lot of natural light. But after the sun goes down or on a bloomy day interior spaces should make us feel good. The same space can be changed a lot just by using different light techniques. Ambient lighting in the bedroom, living room, or bathroom can create a zen, relaxing feeling to chill out after a hectic day at work. Good main lighting can make our home office day more productive. Pending and standing lamps add that designer-like touch to the space and are great for reading.  

That’s all what we believe will be trending in 2023. Do you notice other trends worth mentioning? Or maybe something is trending in your country/region? Let us know in comments under the post on Facebook. Link here.