Due to the pandemic, the rising cost of living and the migration of our neighbours from across the eastern border, many people were faced with the challenge of redesigning their homes. There was a need to carve out space for working and studying remotely, as well as rearranging the space to comfortably house more people. Not surprisingly, architectural trends are talking about flexibility and functionality, and designers are proposing open spaces that provide greater freedom of arrangement and ease of adaptation to changing needs.

Ecology and sustainability

What exactly does this mean? First of all, it means using recycled, natural or recyclable materials. Reaching for locally produced materials and using national contractors. Sustainability is also about designing a building in such a way that it can be renovated and later demolished.

Energy efficiency is the future

The current trend is towards carbon-neutral or nearly energy-neutral buildings. They use energy efficient solutions such as heat pumps and high performance insulation. The house itself is aligned with the sun, making it cost-effective to install renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels.

Equally important is the thermal modernisation of old houses. Changes are being made to make space heating more economical and energy efficient and to reduce heat loss. Recent studies show that simply replacing an old cooker does not work, so it is important to insulate the walls. All structural elements - roof and walls, as well as finishing elements such as windows - should be covered with appropriate materials. Only a comprehensive approach to the problem will ensure complete insulation of the building.

Minimalism and closeness to nature

A simple, compact form and sparing use of decorative elements is the key to an energy-efficient, economical and easy-to-arrange building. Trends in architecture, such as minimalism and closeness to nature, are manifested in the use of natural finishing materials, e.g. wood, stone, and large glass surfaces. Thanks to glass walls we not only have a perfect view of nature, but we also make our home a part of it.

We also combine minimalism and closeness to nature with colours. The coming year will be dominated by timeless, natural colours that complement the latest trends in architecture. Beiges, greens, blues, shades of white and pastels will be the most popular choices. Ceresit's Colour of the Year 2022 - ZANZIBAR 6 - fits perfectly into this category, as does the entire colour palette from the Colours of Nature range.

Redevelopment and revitalisation

The next two architectural trends involve an increase in the purchase of existing buildings requiring renovation or redevelopment. This is primarily due to the shrinking supply of land. This approach is closely related to ecology - we do not destroy green areas, but renovate existing buildings that could become vacant over time. It also has a positive impact on urban planning - it prevents urban sprawl, which indirectly reduces car traffic and increases the attractiveness of urban space.

Technology in house design and operation

All kinds of analyses and simulations, e.g. of solar gain, wind parameters, shading, etc., are increasingly being used in the design and planning process. This makes use of "digital twin" technology, i.e. a digital representation of the building being designed. A virtual life-cycle simulation is prepared, which gives a better idea of the construction, operation and disposal costs of the house. This will minimise the carbon footprint over the lifetime of the building.

Technological trends also include the so-called smart home, i.e. controlling heating, light, blinds, opening doors and windows via an app. This allows us to adapt the design to our individual needs and improve safety and energy efficiency.

Healthy home, or the psychological aspect of architecture

Neuroarchitecture is a relatively new field of science that studies the needs of humans, the main user of architecture. It focuses on aesthetic and symbolic aspects, such as ceiling height, colours, window position, wall and furniture angles, open spaces and sounds.

This trend also includes a holistic approach to design. It is based on an analysis of users' needs on a physical, spiritual, psychological and social level in order to create spaces with optimum values for their well-being.