Some might say (particularly, the writers for Back to The Future) that we are living in the future. You might look around and see small hints of this fact, but where are the flying cars and robot maids? In the Construction Industry, we are more exposed to signs of the times with contemporary architectural design, smart home technology, environmentally conscious building, and healthy homes. These four trends have become magnified in the past few years and are projected to grow into the mainstream residential and commercial construction markets.
Contemporary Architecture
Contemporary or modern architecture includes many styles of design that capture the idea of creativity and technology intertwining. These buildings are very eye-catching with a focus on striking angles and attractive curves. Designers and architects use mediums that may be uncommon, such as bare concrete and recycled materials, and they incorporate other trends which we are going to be examining.
Woolems has built many contemporary homes all over South Florida and they are always exciting to be part of because of the innovative designs and materials. Architects get to have complete creative freedom with this style which leads to one-of-a-kind projects.
Smart Homes
Automation is no longer reserved for Superheroes and Spies in the movies. We may have had technology like sprinkler systems and vacuum robots for a while now but in recent years, smart home technology has been booming. Personal home assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home are being used quite commonly and allow for many other automations in the home. One gadget we’ve been seeing more often is smart doorbells. They usually feature cameras that record when they detect movement, which is a deterrent for package thieves. There are smart thermostats that help people save money on their electric bill by controlling the A/C and lighting.
On the more exclusive end of the spectrum, devices like automatic drapery are seen in many new homes. At Woolems, we see a lot of security technology in appliances like smart locks and even biometric scanners which scan the owner’s eye or finger to open doors. The entertainment side of this trend often includes hidden televisions and speakers that are virtually invisible, built in behind the walls or ceilings. Luxury kitchens boast Smart Technology in their refrigerators and ovens, which have touchscreen displays for video-chatting, watching cooking tutorials and much more. These technological advancements are being integrated into construction and architecture mindfully. Who knows what kind of wild smart home devices we will see in 2020?
Environmentally Conscious Building
The world is recognizing the fact that we need to take better care of our planet. The Construction Industry has been evolving to create less of an impact on our environment. Recycled materials are used in renovation, restoration, and new construction to create a sustainable approach to building. Landscapes are carefully crafted to preserve water and soil. Architects use large windows in their designs to utilize the sunlight to warm homes during the day and create breezy living spaces. LEED Certifications are a great way for companies to start their evolution into becoming green. As the Earth adapts, so must we, and there are ways to do this which are being researched and developed by engineers and scientists in the Industry.
Healthy Homes
In July, ETC Simplify visited the Woolems office in West Palm Beach to present us with the newest technology for “WELL Building”. This method of building incorporates different devices, automations, and more that focus on the well-being and health of the structure’s occupants. These ideas include air filtration, water decontamination, home gardens, ergonomic comfort, temperature zoning, sound absorption, and much more, which you can read about here: https://v2.wellcertified.com/v/en/mind.
ETC’s presentation focused on something called “Circadian Lighting”. This is a lighting automation software that can be built into homes and other spaces that provide the correct color and brightness of light based on our bodies needs. For example, in the morning you would be awoken by a gradually brightening cool-toned light, and in the evening the lights in the home would darken and change to warm-tone. There are many ways to use this idea, including to create a certain ambiance.
These four aspects are used together to create spaces that are unlike anything seen in past years. Woolems accepts these developments with open arms and we look forward to changing with the Industry. What trends have you noticed in the past few years, and what are you predicting for the future of the Construction Industry?