The future in Retrospect
Perspectives and Predictions From Tomorrow's Project 2011 Interviews
In 2011, we spoke with leading architects specializing in a wide range of work, including corporate, cultural, education, healthcare, and public space projects. Our focus has always been about new innovations in architecture and design, and what is on the horizon for the industry.
Now that the year has come to a close, we'd like to take a look back at some of the year's best commentary and predictions about changes that are happening in architecture and design, and what that means for our future.
Serge Appel, Cook+Fox, May 2011
"The most surprising change [in sustainable design] has been the swift adoption of sustainable strategies that seemed nearly impossible to achieve just a few years ago. The learning curve to integrate these practices was admittedly steep, but still fast to overcome."
Marc Teer, Gensler, June 2011
"An interesting new trend is that some of our clients are questioning the cost and relevance of third party verification, and are choosing to incorporate these building practices and technologies without verification."
Ruann van der Westhuizen, 2011 Archiprix International Award Winner, August 2011
"I see a blurring of the traditionally strict boundaries of public and private space."
Jose Alvarez, Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, September 2011
"Our next responsibility as architects is to affectively open the social and built barriers and implement an extensive Universal Design platform where, at an equal level, the architecture informs, guides, comforts, and gives choices to the user."
Gareth Hoskins, Gareth Hoskins Architects, November 2011
"There is a persistent desire to make an iconic architectural statement in response to [cultural] building types, as seen in recently completed projects such as Hadid's Maxxi in Rome. There does, however, appear to be more of a questioning as to the appropriateness of such responses and an increasing awareness of the need for these projects to have a greater sense of engagement with the places and people they serve."
Robert Goodwin, Perkins+Will, March 2011
"We see the future of education being influenced in several exciting ways. The continued development of digital technology, both in the classroom and in the hands of students, is transforming the conventions of space and time in education."
Rebecca Hathaway, HMC Architects, April 2011
"Technology is at the root of out-of-the-box thinking. It allows us to challenge traditional design and old rules of thumb. Telemedicine is one example, as the technology allows a patient to remain in the same private room environment, whether they need ICU-level care or are getting ready for discharge."
Yann Weymouth, HOK, December 2011
"Designers and manufacturers are becoming more involved earlier in design. We are learning how the manufacturers think, and they are learning how to refine, and tune their products to our needs. The development of BIM tools is a part of this. As we designers are involving the people who make the products sooner, manufacturers are becoming receptive to our input, as we are to theirs."