Published March 16th, 2021

6 Architecture Trends to Watch in 2021

Want the latest AEC&M insights as they develop?

  1. Interoperability
  2. Exterior living spaces
  3. Adapting office space
  4. Focus on sustainability and climate resistance
  5. Move to online and remote design
  6. Rising investment in pedestrian infrastructure

Keep reading this blog post to learn more about each of these top architecture trends to watch.

Interoperability

Architectural technologies are using building information models in more ways than ever before, making it essential that the information can be imported and exported into many different file formats. This interoperability is one trend we are excited to see emerging in the architecture space!

For example, a building information model produced from Revit can be checked for BIM standards compliance, utilized for rendering visualizations, analyzed for energy, mechanical, electrical, and structural performance, processed for cost estimates, assembled for construction simulations, analyzed for interferences, and used for model coordination — all in different software platforms. With all of these different tools and data streams, architectural and engineering organizations will need to provide clear documentation of workflows, processes, and tasks to ensure no data is lost along the way.

Exterior living spaces

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things about the way we live and work, including driving an immediate demand for more livable and attractive outdoor living spaces. Proactive architecture firms are responding with a more holistic understanding of the connection between good interior and exterior design. From health benefits to a potential boost in productivity, there are many reasons to believe thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces are here to stay, well beyond the pandemic.

Adapting office space 

With remote work on the rise, many organizations are pulling back on the scope and design of their current office spaces. This will lead to a trend of organizations refitting their current spaces for fewer employees working together in person with an increased capacity for employees meeting virtually with those who are still remote. Interior designers who can create functional spaces that bridge the gap between in-person and remote work and account for these social and technological needs will continue to lead the way in the industry.

Focus on sustainability and climate resistance

Many industries are moving to more sustainable, environmentally-friendly solutions, and the architectural industry is no different. Changing weather patterns require more and more projects to be planned, designed, and built with the evolving climate in mind. Innovative infrastructure includes maintaining function in the face of climate shifts and benefiting the surrounding environment. As consumers increasingly express concern about the environmental impact of our actions, businesses, organizations, and architectural firms will need to follow suit.

Rising investment in pedestrian infrastructure

Tying into the sustainability trend, there will be increased focus on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the coming years. There are many reasons cities and other local municipalities would want to invest in this alternative infrastructure: economic benefits, improvements in health and safety, as well as increased recreational and tourism potential. Certainly, architectural firms should be prepared to incorporate pedestrian infrastructure into their designs.

Move to online and remote design

Just as our physical spaces are being transformed to accommodate virtual and remote work, so will the architectural workflow itself. Adopting remote collaboration software and other technologies will be a top priority for design firms. This new technology and software should help increase efficiency and productivity, no matter where members of your team may be working.

When it comes to filling in critical knowledge gaps about these technologies, look no further than an AEC e-learning solution like Pinnacle Series. Pinnacle provides on-demand training materials on every architectural software tool your team will use while collaborating remotely, including Revit, BIM 360, and AutoCAD.

If staying on top of the latest architectural trends is a struggle for your organization, Pinnacle Series can help. Schedule a demo or pilot today! Are you a current customer? Log in now or connect with your Customer Success Manager to see how you can leverage our platform for maximum success in 2021 and beyond.