Trends are very important to residential architecture. They define the salient vibe of a generation and give that generation a character that will live on through the ages. When we talk about different types of past architectures today, such as gothic, colonial, Georgian, Victorian, what we’re really talking about the defining trends of the period.

Despite their obvious influence on the lifestyle of a time, it is hard to tell which trends will last and which ones are no more than passing fads. After all, something that lasts for a couple of years at a time doesn’t really have an effect on the overall architect of landscape architecture, does it?
A trend should be one that lasts for many decades and influences architectural styles well into the future. Like a chain of dominos, trends influence each other. A lot of the houses built today have some traces of Georgian and colonial architecture in them. Likewise, the style of the next century will likely be influenced by the contemporary architecture of today.

Before you begin your residential design, it’s important to understand what the prevailing trends are in residential architecture so you may choose to incorporate some of them. Trends don’t just shape us; we shape them as well. So it’s very likely you’ll find something you like. After all, these trends developed as a result of what most of the people of our time like and prefer.

Here are a few trends that have helped to define our generation in terms of residential architecture.

1. The Marriage of Internal and External

In the past, it was important to wall ourselves off from the outside for a variety of reasons. Now, many of our residences are defined by either subtle boundaries, or the lack of boundaries altogether. Through the use of glass and doors, the indoors and the outdoors blend together in beautiful ways.

2. Larger and More Centrally Placed Kitchens

Traditionally, the kitchen has always been corner feature, tucked away from the main parts of the house, almost as if it was a shameful section to have. Now, it is glorified, having grown larger and typically being situated more centrally in the house. The function of the kitchen has also changed from a place where meals are prepared, to a place where the entire family gathers and shares their most intimate moments.

3. Everything is Open

The philosophy that dictates that inside and outside should be married is the very same philosophy that has come to dominate interior spaces. Walls are slowly becoming endangered as rooms have given way to spaces. These spaces interweave without having imposing walls separating them and, coupled with minimalist interior design, make the interior of the house look much larger and wholesome.

4. More Use of Glass and Large Windows

Glass has become more prominent in today’s residential architecture. Not only do large windows help to open up the interior to the exterior, but it also serves certain functions concerning energy efficiency. Glass allows natural lighting into the house, reducing the need for artificial lighting and saving energy in the process. Meanwhile, it protects the interior from excess heat and harmful radiation from the outside.

These trends are certainly dominant now. However, they will keep changing as time marches on.
At Bill Whittaker, Registered Architect, we stay on top of the latest trends so that we can deliver what works best for you.