Thankfully, the tide is changing. There is a greater awareness of the benefits of eco-friendly building materials like recycled steel, reclaimed wood, bamboo and cork; some strides have also been made towards recycling plastic, although the efficacy of those mechanisms is far from perfect. There is also a greater awareness of the simple but profound benefits of natural elements like sunlight, fresh air, greenery, and pleasant views. These elements, when integrated within the design scheme, can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of the users of a space by connecting them with nature.
Energy efficiency is also likely to be in focus this year. The global push towards renewable energy has made the at-scale adoption of technologies like solar panels much more feasible. India especially has been leading the charge on this, and we are optimistic that more stakeholders from the building industry will recognise the benefits of meeting energy demands through on-site means.
Automation is also likely to gain traction; not only does it offer a higher quality of life to end users, it also helps to optimise energy efficiency by reducing heating, cooling and lighting costs. The precision of control and ease of use appeals to consumer interests, while also being good for the environment.
The coming year will bring together the best of nature and technology to create spaces that are true urban sanctuaries: protecting user wellness while minimising the impact of building activities on the natural environment. In our own practice, we are seeing a significant uptick in client interest in adopting this nature-integrated approach to projects; we are certain that improved stakeholder awareness will help this approach flourish in 2025.
