With the arrival of the end of the year, it is common for people to seek information about the main trends for the new cycle to come, such as the word that will mark 2024, fashion, behavior, among others. It is no different in architecture, the main hallmark in construction or interior design will be sustainability.
Equipment, technologies and systems that prioritize the responsible management of natural resources, in addition to materials whose manufacturing does not harm the environment, are already highlighted as the main ones in major events in the sector in the country, such as Expo Revestir, Casa Cor, and others samples linked to architecture and engineering.
After participating in these events, architects Ila Carvalho and Karen Oliveira state that the concepts of sustainability, previously seen as trends of the future, are now part of the projects and should continue to guide professionals in the sector in 2024. “What we have seen in the main events, not only in Brazil but around the world, is the proposal for an architecture that increasingly prioritizes materials designed to preserve the environment”, explains Karen.
Examples of the diffusion of sustainable architecture are the increasing use of elements such as ecological wood, LED lighting, vinyl flooring, which will continue to be on the rise next year and should become increasingly accessible to the general public. “For some time now we have realized that wood has become a noble product that is difficult to access for most people, which is why ecological wood has been an option to maintain a cozy appearance at a more affordable price”, he says. “We have also seen a great trend in choosing construction and renovation materials and strategies that generate as little waste as possible, and vinyl flooring is an option in this sense”, says Ila.
Another strong trend is the reduction, reuse and recycling of renovation and construction waste, which aims to minimize waste and contribute to the conservation of natural resources. “Today we have seen an increasing use of materials being manufactured from recycled waste, such as ecological brick, recycled concrete and the much-used polystyrene skirting board, which is produced from recyclable plastic. ”, comments Karen.
The use of sustainable consumption systems should gain more support next year, such as solar energy, in addition to adapting parking spaces for charging electric cars. “Today we see a change in people’s behavior, as renewable energy sources also represent savings for those who use them. Salvador City Hall, for example, already has Green IPTU discounts for those who use these systems”, points out Karen. “The new ventures that are emerging already bring some of these elements, but there will be a process of adapting those that do not yet have these systems, as this is a global movement”, she adds.
Karen and Ila believe that although sustainable architecture still has some obstacles on the way to popularization, the process of democratizing access to these elements of construction and decoration should grow more and more, making sustainability a trend not only for next year but also for the next few years. decades. “The world is experiencing several unprecedented climate changes and people are beginning to realize the importance of seeking more sustainable practices”, comments Ila.
“I believe we need government incentives to make these items more accessible, but I think it is a matter of time. The LED lamp was once expensive, today it is present in every home. The tendency is for other products and materials to follow the same path”, he concludes.
