As 2021 draws to a close we decided to take a look at some of the most popular requests we have seen as an architectural practice in 2021.
– Indoor/outdoor living. It’s no surprise that with the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, 2021 saw the trend for indoor/outdoor living continue. From converting spaces for home office use to opening out living spaces through the use of extensive glazing to flood them with natural light, design with wellbeing in mind continued to be popular. Created through extensive use of glazing, reconfiguring certain features to open out living spaces and clever landscaping design continue to be popular. This trend is driven by a desire for wellbeing and creates beautiful homes ideal for growing families.
– Boot rooms. Ever popular and practical, these are a must-have on the wish list for many people in the Cotswolds. With boot rooms, it is essential that designs incorporate plenty of storage along with movement space for both children and pets. Ecological design with a focus on the use of natural and traditional materials and simple lines are hugely desirable, with cleverly incorporated seating alongside open shelving for ease of access and comfort are some of the more popular features.
– Combining contemporary design with traditional features. In the Cotswolds especially, this trend has been popular for several years and shows no signs of waning. Clever use of traditional features such as oak beams and Cotswolds stone alongside contemporary glazed panels and crittal windows create some truly stunning designs which are ideal for modern living whilst simultaneously being sympathetic to heritage buildings and traditional design
– Sustainability. Sustainable architecture minimises the negative environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, waste and energy resources. Designing eco-friendly buildings which enable people to live sustainably and make the best use of resources include light, heating and water as well as the actual materials used in the design. Using natural materials where possible, especially when renovating or extending Grade II or listed buildings is increasingly popular. Using local stone for example creates synergy with the surrounding buildings and the environment.
We don’t doubt that these trends will continue to be popular and we look forward to exploring the future trends of 2022. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
