6 Ways Design Trends Influence Modern Building Standards

The world of design always requires innovation, which makes it very hard to keep up with the latest trends, and for those who are part of this profession, it means constant adaptation and education.

We are not talking about changes like surface appeal because those changes are so big that they redefine the way spaces are built and used. If you are a building professional, whether inspector or code official, you certainly know how much you need to adapt to every change to ensure functionality, safety, relevance, and more in modern structures.

Here are the 6 most common ways design trends influence modern building standards and how they affect professionals.

Minimalism and Functional Spaces

You probably heard the saying, “Less is more”, so many times. Well, for building, it usually means a clean, open-concept space. Unfortunately, this philosophy drives many changes in building, which requires innovative structural solutions.

In other words, it is a headache for building inspectors because they are facing many challenges to ensure these designs comply with safety regulations. But, they need to take care of it while maintaining clean aesthetics, which can be very challenging in some projects.

Sustainability

Sustainable living is a trend that has affected many professions in a good way, and in architecture, it means big changes in materials used for construction. Using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems in structural architecture means more innovation demands, like updated codes. For example, green roofs and solar panel integration are just a few modern designs that require evolving standards and building inspections to verify compliance.

Global efforts to combat climate change affected building codes and practises everywhere, from California’s energy-efficient construction mandated to Florida’s hurricane-resistant designs. To follow these trends it is so important for building professionals to continue education and stay informed for location-specific challenges. Michigan building inspector continuing education is made to inform Michigan inspectors of the latest changes in Michigan-specific codes and sustainability requirements (the same applies to other U.S. states). It is similar for inspectors in regions like Texas or New York, where they can access tailored training programs to meet the needs of their unique environment.

Smart Technologies

You probably know that most clients want to have smart technologies in their buildings or houses. The most common demands are automated lighting, climate control, and security systems because they are a sort of staple of modern design.

For building inspectors, this means they need to stay updated on electrical and system standards. The innovations are great for aesthetics and functionality, but inspectors need to make sure that they meet safety requirements.

Adaptive Reuse

This ties to sustainability but also with modern design. Old buildings need to be converted into modern spaces, but that is not an easy task. Inspectors have challenges like evaluating older structures against modern codes. The most difficult part is to preserve a char of original features while ensuring safety.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design is something that is created to make great changes for everyone. It is the universal design that is meant to create spaces that are usable by people of all abilities and ages. To ensure anyone can use and enjoy the space, it takes a lot of adjustments and changes in the way buildings are planned and constructed.

Natural Elements Bridge Indoors and Outdoors

A great innovation in the world of design is implementing natural elements in order to blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. Many people like that natural flow, and a feeling that they’re not closed in some sort of “box” with four walls around them. They like to feel more connected to nature and the outdoors in general, which brings another design innovation.

For building standards this is again a big change. They need to evolve to accommodate features like large glass walls, vertical gardens, and open-air elements. But, the main challenge is not achieving natural appeal; it is to ensure it remains structurally sound.

Conclusion

Every change in the design world is more than aesthetic. It means that every person included in the project must be informed and educated in order to make those changes efficient, usable, and most of all, safe. That is why continuos education and evolving by each individual is crucial in making design changes and incorporating them in old building practices, or changing them completely if necessary.

Minimalism and sustainability are so much more than some design trends. They completely change the requirements for building and creating unique spaces that fulfill all expectations from clients in order to create open spaces built with certain materials.

Smart technologies are evolving everyday, and they make maybe the biggest changes in construction, which means more challenges for architects and building inspectors.

Adaptive reuse and inclusive design are both big and important trends made for making space usable for everyone and creating a modern design from old space.

Every change is a good change, but that means that building professionals can’t rest. They need to evolve every day in order to make those changes come to life.