The economic concerns still linger in the air, the boundaries between work and home are still blurred and we leave behind 2022 with lessons of meaningful engagement with our spaces. There were many design and planning trends that emerged in this year, some of which are on a decline while, some will keep us company in the next year too.
PROMINENT DESIGN TRENDS OF YEAR 2022
Trends come and go, and then there are fad that become an obsession. What matters is the context. The year 2022 also saw some ruling design shifts of the year that were present everywhere.
Gaurav Sanghavi, Partner, Pentaspace Design Studio recalled a number of design shifts that occurred throughout the year. “Not long after the pandemic, we rethought about design and planning in a holistic way, which continued throughout 2022. From conventional look-alike spaces, we shifted towards user-preference spaces that are flexible and multi-functional."
Hardesh Chawla, Director, Essentia Environments added, “In the year 2022, some of the prominent trends included an increased use of pastel shades paired with metallic accents as well as incorporating textures on vertical surfaces. These are subtle steps to introduce colour without being extravagant and loud while also creating tactile enclosures. Owing to the ever-increasing awareness of wellness, space-wise planning involves the interspersal of more mindful and thoughtful green spaces to create niches of serenity and relaxation in one's abode. To make things more user-friendly, designing flexible spaces as well as automating certain aspects of the office or residences also came in handy, giving technology an upper hand to control our designs.”
A work-from-home corner is now a prominent feature that everyone strives for, and hence, it began getting incorporated right from the planning stages. It not only served during the pandemic, but the convenience it offers made it a necessary feature in the house.
The second one is a balcony, which was a feature in every home but came into creative effect after the pandemic. This tiny space in the house got transformed into a lively area by infusing elements like outdoor seating, planters, a creative corner for artworks and paintings, as well as mood lighting.
Another one is a landscaped corner with many greens which became the most opted feature after Covid-19. This was a result of shifting towards biophilic design and the advantages it offers. In terms of residential complex planning, the two trends that became prominent were that people started opting for gated communities and amenities within the complex. This provides them with security as well as a community-living experience”
As per Shami Goregaoker, Design Director, GA Design, the design trends for 2022 were largely influenced by the global pandemic and the resulting lifestyle changes. “With the focus predominantly on wellness, our aesthetic sensibilities naturally veered towards being able to feel good. Having stayed at home for a prolonged period, we began to appreciate nature more than ever before and hence the colour palette was clearly dominated by the landscape – soothing greens, sober greys and earthen tones. This helped in feeling more connected with the outdoors. The use of natural light and ventilation became a priority. The odd corner in the house was no longer left neglected, instead it became a cozy corner on wfh days. Layouts started depending largely upon the home-office concept with a huge focus
multi-functional spaces. Organic fabrics, natural and locally available materials and minimalism – all gained popularity in the last year. Bespoke furniture with fluidic forms and comfortable designs is what many people desired in 2022. Smart homes, automation, advanced technology based on artificial intelligence and voice-activated gadgets gained popularity in the last year, as a result of lifestyle changes and the need to maintain hygiene and security. These trends have made life easier, more convenient and also energy efficient.”
George E. Ramapuram, Principal and Director, Earthitects was of the view that a considerable advancement in architecture has been the comeback of biophilic design. “It is a means of being one with nature and employing locally available native materials for construction. Sustainability comes naturally with the use of natural resources, recycled materials, and upcycling products. Sustainable living is more a lifestyle than a trend. Honing nature in such a way that it self-sustains while providing its benefits, is the best way of incorporating the native vernacular into design. Being close to nature means automatically reaping its health benefits. So, incorporating more greenery in design, ample ventilation and natural light for emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing has been greatly appreciated in 2022. Moreover, going back to nature, or a phenomenon called ‘reverse urbanization’, is a sensitive and sensible shift in the architecture practice. Nature is the best motivator in experiencing “life in abundance” by connecting with both oneself and the environment.”
THE STYLES THAT ARE GRADUALLY FADING AWAY
Having reminisced about the designs and desires of the past, we do live in an incredibly fast-paced era where fashions quickly reach a peak and then taper off. Tending to differ, Shami Goregaoker said, “Rather than trends fading away, it seems that the lines between trends are quickly
blurring away, resulting in personalized interior concepts instead of following specific themes. Designers are taking a more nuanced approach to interiors helping their clients with personal expression based on their lifestyle. Interior design is no longer just a trend to be followed, it is now about the feel-good factor and how to make your space comfortable and breathable. Clients are developing a more holistic approach to design and they are looking for concepts that are not only more organic but also ones that enhance their lifestyle.”
George E. Ramapuram believes that the growing urgency of living sustainably is making homeowners and designers face the music with irresponsible designing. Importing materials and causing wasteful expenditure is a fad of the past.
Gaurav Sanghavi pointed out that the perception of surfaces in design has drastically changed where straight edges are gradually being replaced with curved forms and surfaces. Technology has been a major resource in doing so. Also, people now prefer pastel colours more than bright or bold hues.
Hardesh Chawla, stated that the industry is gradually bidding adieu to the maximalist design statement as people are coming to the realization that less is more—the lesser the objects, the lesser the clutter, and the lesser things to maintain. “People want to simplify their lives by streamlining their surroundings and home decor instead of having multiple elements aligned with their spaces. Another thing taking a backseat is the open-planning concept. Having lived through the pandemic in our homes, everyone has increased affinity towards their own privacy while being in the same house. People want their personal bubbles to spend time of peace and quiet amidst the chaos of the everyday hustle and bustle of life.”
DESIGN IDEAS THAT WILL CONTINUE THEIR MARCH IN 2023
Year 2022 was all about a renewed interest in wellness, natural materials, and rejuvenating experiences. How much of it, we will take with us in the New Year is yet to be seen but design experts have an inkling to where we are headed. Like Shami Goregaoker says, “The past two years have taught us the importance of a healthy lifestyle. We have also realized that being in an environment that facilitates healthy living not only improves efficiency in all that we do, but is also not very hard to achieve. Therefore the focus will continue to remain on wellness and all things natural and local. Soft breathable fabrics, wood, stone, non-toxic products and recycled/upcycled furniture will be trending in 2023. There will be a continued focus on being independent, thereby increasing the dependency on smart home gadgets and automation. People will continue to opt for multi-functional spaces at home and at the work place as they are more flexible in terms of usability and are also cost-effective. Designs that foster a seamless transition from indoor to outdoors and vice-versa, colours and textures that offer a sensory stimulation are here to stay.”
George E. Ramapuram shares a tip in designing spaces, “Look for natural substitutes to your design intent. This is a small but significant step toward practising conscious design. Eventually, many small steps make a big one - and consistency will surely make an impact. Another impactful idea is catering to the mind, body and soul of an architectural space. This means gauging the space in its entirety rather than just focusing on the tangible aspects. In India, the concept of “all-natural living” is already close to home and is gaining traction with increasing awareness of going back to your roots.”
Gaurav Sanghavi asserts that landscape, both in the exterior and in the interior, will occupy a significant space in a house. “It is because of the holistic effect that
radiates throughout the house and contributes to the overall wellbeing of the user. Color choices too have moved to sober shades that include pastels, which will continue in 2023."
Hardesh Chawla talking about the advancement in technology said, “Smart homes and automation will definitely be one of the key factors driving the boat of design language. From lighting and acoustic controls to bathrooms and security surveillance systems, newer things will unfold. Apart from this, creating spaces that cater to a harmonious and balanced living environment will instill the concepts of biophilia and chromotherapytrends that will continue to stay in vogue. In terms of materiality, the usage of wood to bring in natural graininess and warmth to the rooms will stay cardinal.”
Changes in buildings move slower than interior design trends as it take time to develop new technology and understand new and materials and their interplay with existing technologies and materials. In the last few years, India has experienced a fundamental shift in the design and construction field. Sameer Divekar, Executive Vice President, CP Kukreja Architects shared the trends in that area of design that we will continue to see in the coming years.
Mega Scale International Projects: 2022 saw the rise of massive projects envisioned in India that are at par with International Projects in terms of scale, technology and innovation. This includes projects like the ‘India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC)’, which has large halls catering to 10,000 and 20,000 people capacity. Similarly, Airports, Metro Stations, Multi-Modal Transport Hubs and other Mega scale Projects are being built in India.
Sustainable Developments: ’ Sustainable Development’ initiatives that are being implemented in India are another encouraging development. The government’s commitment towards a net zero society by 2070 is transforming the country’s urban landscape. Indian Railways has already pledged to be net zero by 2030, and several government bodies are following suit. So fossil fuel-independent transportation and energy might not be such a distant dream after all.
Monumental Projects promoting India’s Identity: India is revered worldwide for its historical contribution to various fields such as mathematics, astrology, construction techniques, architecture etc. Many historical buildings and sites like the Taj Mahal, Hampi and more are globally appreciated. However, India has contributed little in the last few years. But with projects like ‘The Tourist City of Ayodhya, Sarayu River Front Development, Statue of Oneness at Omkareshwar and more, India is on a mission to leave an indelible mark in the built environment of India by creating monumental projects.
Steel and Composite Structures: R.C.C. Structures have been the most widely used construction technique in India hitherto. However, the trend is shifting towards composite and steel structures. These hybrid models offer a balance between cost, speed and available skills.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Perhaps the worst influence the Western cities have had on our models of development are ‘Sprawling Cities’. The more cities grow horizontally, the more difficult it gets to integrate them with optimum transportation networks. Transit-oriented development is a novel urban planning principle which aims to maximise the quantity of residential, commercial, and recreational space within walking distance of public transportation. It encourages the coexistence of the usage of public transportation and dense, compact urban form. TODs are not limited to merely metro networks; there are indeed several ‘Multi-Model Transport Hubs’ coming up which integrate two or more modes of transportation such as Metro, Railway, Bus, Airports and more. It’s not just an idea anymore – East Delhi Hub in Delhi is already in its construction phase. A similar development has been planned in Surat.
Building Information Building (BIM): BIM platforms for design, review, construction and maintenance have matured in developed countries. India is catching up with the trend. Many clients are now open to trying BIM platforms. Surprisingly, government projects are leading this adaptation.
Industrial Development in India: With the economic, and geo-political power shifts taking shape in the region and global investments being funnelled into India away from China, there is a growth observed in the Industrial Capacity Building of India.
