Ten Architectural Trends for 2018

 

Reuse of Old Buildings

With the decline of retail and hundreds of closed Mill buildings throughout New England many developers are seeing an opportunity to reuse these buildings. Jackie Craven of ThoughtCo writes in a recent blog post:

“Adaptive reuse, or adaptive re-use architecture, is the process of repurposing buildings — old buildings that have outlived their original purposes — for different uses or functions while at the same time retaining their historic features. An increasing number of examples can be found around the world. A closed school may be converted into condominiums. An old factory may become a museum. A historic electric building can become apartments.

A rundown church finds new life as a restaurant — or a restaurant may become a church. Sometimes called property rehabilitation, turnaround, or historic redevelopment, the common element no matter what you call it is how the building is used.”

Often times it cost more money and takes longer to redevelop these old buildings into living or commercial space than starting from scratch. Today many of the materials used in these beautiful old buildings are not available. Reusing old buildings preserves the history of the Architecture. Reuse of old buildings is considered green and good environmental practice.

Pre Fab is not a dirty word

Many leading Architects are turning to Pre Fab constructed buildings rather than having them constructed on site. Shorter lead times, quality control of factory assembled buildings are just a couple of the advantages of Pre Fab construction.

Organic Architecture

Many Architects are looking at Ancient building techniques from centuries past for inspiration. The use of simple materials like stone and dirt may be used to create beautiful, environmentally friendly structures. There are four basic methods in use today: Adobe, Rammed Earth, Compressed Earth, and Straw Bale.

Healthy Home Design

There is growing trend in home design to create healthier homes by using alternative building methods. For example insulation made from recycled blue jeans. John Bower of the Healthy House Institute notes there are three keys to a healthier home. 

Elimination: Remove materials that emit toxic fumes

Separation: Use a sealant or foiled backed drywall to create a barrier between yourself and suspected toxins.

Ventilation: Systems that circulate and filter air from inside the home to outside is the only way to ensure clean air home. 

Concrete

It is not just your foundation that is concrete. The trend for 2018 is less marble, granite and more concrete, from countertops, to outdoor furniture, indoor flooring and even Pedant Lights. 

Abundant Storage

Most old homes are lacking in storage space. Today’s homeowner are demanding bigger walk in closets, lots of easy to reach cabinets, and spacious dressing rooms. 

Vintage Lighting

Old is new in the world of lighting. Retrofitted with new technology vintage styled lights will work well in any modern home. Today Show Style Expert Elizabeth Mayhew writes in a recent Washington Post article: “ I find that vintage fixtures are often better than new fixtures, I prefer their patina, and I appreciate the distinctive, one of a kind quality they add to rooms.” With Ebay, Craigslist and a host of other sources for things old it is easier than ever to find classic fixtures.

Spa Like Bathrooms

Designers are incorporating light colored stone such as marble and tile. This trend adds tranquility to your bathroom design. Natural stone such as quart is a growing trend in bathroom design. Considered nonporous, and more durable than stone. Free standing bathtubs fit many styles from vintage to modern. For a softer, warmer fell designers are incorporating bleach wood cabinets into their designs. Blue is the 2018 bathroom color of the year. Free standing sinks that sit on top of a vanity rather in it is a statement making trend. Last but not least Bare Bulb lights with an industrial appeal are taking the spotlight in bathroom lighting design.

 The Color Purple

Pantone has picked the color ultra violet purple as the color of the year, the leaders in color creation. In a recent blog post by Strobel design writes “this particular shade of purple is categorized as a color that fosters originality and thoughtfulness in a decorative world after having been rule by earth tones and neutral palettes. Other hot colors for 2018 include: warm grays paired with camel, rust, tobacco and brown blacks. Earthy reds and yellows will also dominate the color landscape over the next year.

White

The white color pallete continues to be red hot in the world of kitchen design. Back splashes, countertops and white walls are more popular than never. According to a recent Houzz survey white finishes have gained six percent in popularity over 2017 surveys.