The Building Bricks of 2021
If we’ve learnt anything in 2020, it’s that you can’t always predict the future. For the construction industry, a few challenges were certainly faced with the year seeing staff and raw material shortages, increased prices, reduced contracts, market fluctuations and, more recently, booming demand that the sector can’t keep pace with. Looking forward, the best strategy is to be prepared for the unknown. As we delve further into the construction trends that we expect to see in 2021, we uncover a new direction of design, shifting towards futureproofing our workplaces.
As with many other industries, those in construction have slowly begun to rebuild the foundations of their profession. Here are a few tips to help you get a head start on construction trends this year:
Build Build Build
When it comes to design, those in the construction industry might notice they have more freedom, all thanks to the Government’s new initiative that encourages contractors to quite literally, Build Build Build. With the ultimate plan being to make it easier to build homes that people want to live in, an increase of construction plans are likely to receive approval, with more freedom surrounding land and building planning permissions.
Sustainability in the Spotlight
Already a popular concept, the pandemic increased the value organisations have been putting into sustainability. From materials to sourcing, this can be expected to continue throughout the construction industry as a greater consciousness is placed on the sustainability of each project.
In August 2020, the Government also introduced the scheme: Green Homes Grant. Although more domestic focused, the plan provides vouchers to construction projects that are planning to make more energy efficient improvements to homes in efforts to encourage sustainable renovations of domestic buildings.
From this, we expect an increase in refurbishment and renovation plans, rather than new constructions and buildings. With some offices remaining empty despite restrictions easing, businesses might find more advantages investing in the design of their current workplace.
Increased Residential Scope
The residential and public sector has increased its workload for the construction industry. As most of us are still working from home or anticipating a hybrid style of work in the future, investors and housing agents across the nation are showcasing home offices and studies as a successful selling point. For this reason, we predict the landscape of the construction industry may experience a shift, away from commercial projects and towards more residential spaces.
A Demand for Storage Spaces
With that being said, there has been a notable increase in demand for warehouses and other industrial storage facilities. Due to physical retailers and shops remaining closed for what seems like forever, a large majority of the public have taken to online shopping. As the ecommerce world booms, the demand for warehouse construction increases to provide these businesses with a storage space for products before shipping.
We Can Help
After last year, we are in admiration of those in construction that have persevered during such trying and unpredictable times. Going forward, and as the world slowly returns to the ‘new norm’, we anticipate construction trends taking a directional pivot towards residential projects and existing office fit outs.
At Gravity, we believe design has the potential to accommodate the post-pandemic world. Our exceptional 3D renders are increasingly valuable to architects, designers, contractors, builders and other clients to help envision and plan projects before construction begins. Any pitfalls in the project are easy to spot and amend before any costly decisions are made – this is particularly helpful to combat the predicted rise in the cost of materials following Brexit and the pandemic.
Through sustainable designs and futureproofing strategies, we are able to help projects respond correctly to the needs of each workforce. Get in touch to find out more.
