2023 Trends In Construction and Residential Renovations: An Overview…
Here’s a challenge. Try and find a description of 2023 Construction Projects without the words “sustainability”, “decarbonization” or “circular economy”. It’s not easy. A more sustainable approach is a win for people and the planet and it’s on course for rapid growth this year.
With “complicated” times ahead in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, climate change, economic recession, and the emergence of new epidemics and pandemics, players in the construction industry need ingenious and visionary quick-fix strategies to erect buildings and industrial structures that meet the sustainability demands.
So, do you want to know what the new normal looks like in the construction industry?
In this blog we will discuss the following:
- What a Circular Economy is and how it is impacting innovation in the Construction Industry
- The 4 Top Challenges…and The 4 Top Opportunities in the construction sector
- The 2023 trends in Residential Restorations
Think Bigger! Think Circular Economy!
Our centuries-old economic system – based on making products from raw materials, using them and then throwing them away is facing scrutiny. According to the World Economic Forum, this linear model is using 60% more resources than our planet can provide, creating problems with climate change, pollution and waste.
As the consequences become harder to ignore, a more sustainable approach is gaining momentum – the circular economy. Aiming to reduce natural resource consumption, the model is based on keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible, eliminating waste and regenerating nature. Reusing is the new recycling! This circular economy is making its mark in 2023 with some agreeing to be the “only economic system in the future”.
But how do we transition ideas into reality?
The construction industry needs to embrace this opportunity and be part of the change. Building materials that can come out from industrial waste, new chemicals that will help us reduce our reliance on water, and synthetic fuel that come out from CO2 are just some examples of a circular economy that will help us reuse materials that will otherwise be landfilled.
Small and deliberate steps matter, and mindful initiatives to share more, care more and waste less such as Olio and Nextdoor are living examples of a circular economy in action – the construction industry needs to pick up the pace!
With cement production alone accounting for 8% of global CO2 emissions, cement emissions need to fall by 16% before 2030 for the sector to come in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. That’s why forward-thinking new products like self-replicating concrete and self-mending biocement are being developed.
Manufacturers of building materials need to partner with companies that capture and transform the CO2 from building materials and those that can bridge the funding gap to make things happen. COLLABORATION is the trend with many actors in the play raising their vision to a guiding star lighting their way to reach the sustainability target.
Top 4 Challenges For The Construction Industry in 2023
Increased emphasis on sustainability regulations
Construction will be the recipient of tighter building regulations that could result in building project delays and postponement of building permits.
Labour shortage
There are currently 7m people in the construction industry with expectations to grow by 10% in the next 2/3 years. With tight labour markets and a lack of a skilled workforce, construction industries face increased wage costs
Supply and chain issues
Time delays outside builders’ control in delivering materials will continue to challenge the execution of projects on time. In the residential sector, logistics of imports from Europe are affecting designers’ choices with most interior designers now turning to source locally and further ahead from the middle east.
Contracted services
Struggling to pencil in prices with the fluctuating market and the supply chain issues, building firms are looking at de-risking proposals, collaborating during tender negotiations and having an open mind to absorb some of the potential cost-risks.
…And The Top 4 Opportunities?
Use of sustainability tools
Think more irregular-shaped architecture or mixed-density blocks. Whether it’s improving energy efficiency, lowering carbon footprints or density requirements, new sustainability tools will help optimise designs – creating buildings that perform environmentally, socially and economically.
Growing Sectors – Civil Engineering
Civil engineering will be the fastest-growing sector in the construction market. Governments worldwide continue to champion major infrastructure projects to boost their economy and drive economic recovery.
Digital transformation will bring innovation to the construction industry
Digital data, AI and automation will play a greater role in the design process, helping architects and design engineers by predicting outcomes.
According to the construction project management software company, InEight “Digital transformation is the biggest short-term source of opportunity for the construction industry in the next 2 to 3 years,– to deliver projects on time and on budget”
Cloud-based platforms will enable better ways of communication and collaboration allowing teams to contribute anytime, from anywhere and creating a new collective intelligence. Forget English, DATA is the new international language!
Green Building
Expect to see more sustainable features in new builds – such as solar panels – to keep emissions within regulations. The green building revolution is really flourishing in the Residential sector where energy efficiency is widely regarded as the top practice to improve green home performance.
However, are high-net-worth homeowners prioritising green building when looking to build/restore their properties?
Having a look at the 2023 clients’ trends in the housing markets:
- A return to designated and more intimate apartment spaces
- Buildings that tell a story and a ‘spirit’ that taps into the personality of the area, sustainability and the vision of the future
- The strength is in more meaningful decoration with soothing spaces – Joinery and furniture take a standing ovation – warm tones and timbers
- Acoustics are high focus – an increased number of clients want to live in a house that feels quiet and intimate.
- A mix of contemporary and heritage styles is key with clients marking the properties with their own stamp (e.g art)
- Less is beautiful
- The definition of luxury is expanding with clients bringing in rough materials with an industrial/exposed finished
London continues to be the driver for clients, with an impressive education system that is attracting international, wealthy, and environmentally conscious 19/20-year-olds. With specific interests and diverse cultural backgrounds, the future hopes that these younger generations of brand agnostics with continue to drive the sustainability revolution in the housing markets and beyond.
Takeaways:
The construction sector is a major consumer of the world’s natural resources – from high energy usage to high carbon emissions, the building industry greatly impacts our planet.
Planning, building materials and construction processes need an injection of innovative ideas. Supply chains have to be reworked, and an understanding of the materials required for a circular economy approach will become crucial.
After the hottest summer on record last year, we can only expect things to continue heating up. COLLABORATION, the younger generations vision of the future and Digital Transformation are the only way out.
“… it is not a question of if support exists for digitisation within our industry – we have known collectively for some time that the answer is most certainly, yes. It is instead a question of how this can best be implemented.” Jake Macholtz, CEO, InEight
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This blog is based on our own client experiences. Written by Emile Malaney. 04/04/2023.