London's architectural landscape: Embracing change and innovation in the construction industry with Julius Steinert
London’s architecture is a vital component in defining the city’s character and identity, contributing to the economy, and attracting tourists from around the world. Looking towards the future, the construction industry is poised for significant changes in London, and Julius Steinert, our Director and Architect, shares his insights on the biggest trends shaping the industry. He discusses the impact of hybrid work models, the increased demand for logistics facilities, repurposing commercial space, and sustainable construction. Julius also talks about DB3’s innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve and how we leverage these trends into our work, including embracing sustainability and repurposing existing spaces.
What are some of the biggest trends shaping the future of construction in London?
What are some of the biggest trends shaping the future of construction in London?
“The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards remote working, e-commerce, and online shopping in the past few years, which has resulted in a decrease in demand for retail stores and commercial offices in London. This trend is expected to continue in the near future, as many companies have adopted flexible working arrangements and are reconsidering their office needs. However, there are several factors that could influence the projected trend for the market:
Hybrid Work Models: Many companies are moving towards hybrid work models, which combine remote work with some in-office presence. This could lead to a shift in demand for office space towards smaller, more flexible spaces that can accommodate a rotating workforce.
Increased demand for Logistics Facilities: The growth of e-commerce is expected to drive an increased demand for logistics facilities, such as warehouses and distribution centres, which could offset the decline in demand for retail stores.
Repurposing of Commercial Space: Developers, landlords and the public sector may seek to repurpose underutilised commercial / public space for other uses, such as residential, healthcare or mixed-use developments. This could help to address the oversupply of commercial space and create more diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Sustainable construction: There has been an increasing focus on sustainable construction in London in recent years, with developers and architects seeking to create buildings that have minimal environmental impact. This includes the use of materials that are recycled or locally sourced, as well as the incorporation of renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or wind turbines.
Overall, the projected trend for the market is likely to be a continued shift away from traditional retail and office space towards more flexible and diverse uses of commercial real estate.”
In terms of the above, what innovative strategies do you plan to implement to stay ahead of the curve and leverage these trends in your work?
In terms of the above, what innovative strategies do you plan to implement to stay ahead of the curve and leverage these trends in your work?
“Embracing sustainability: We have focussed on incorporating more and more sustainable practices in our design and service offer. With DB3 Net Zero we can now provide a multi-disciplinary, turn-key product that address the challenges of climate change from the outset. As we look to the future of urban living, it’s clear that sustainable building practices will play a critical role in shaping our cities. In bustling metropolises like London, it’s becoming increasingly important to prioritise sustainability in construction projects, not only to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and improve air quality, but also to create healthier and more liveable spaces for residents. Â
Repurposing existing spaces: Expanding our expertise into repurposing underutilised commercial spaces into more gainful uses, such as mixed-use developments which include public services and logistics facilities for example. This can help to create more diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods and enhance the long-term value of the city’s areas.”
What role do sustainability and environmental considerations play in your approach to designing residential, retail, or mixed-use developments?
What role do sustainability and environmental considerations play in your approach to designing residential, retail, or mixed-use developments?
“Sustainable design practices can help reduce the impact of buildings on the environment and create healthier, more comfortable living and working spaces for people.
Some of the ways in which sustainability and environmental considerations can be incorporated into the design process for residential, retail, or mixed-use developments in London include:
Energy efficiency: Designing buildings that are energy-efficient can reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy costs. This can include incorporating features such as solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and insulation. Our team includes key members who hold Passivhaus accreditations, ensuring that we have the expertise and knowledge to design buildings that meet this rigorous energy efficiency standard and go above and beyond in reducing their environmental impact.
Use of renewable materials: The use of sustainable and renewable materials in construction can reduce the environmental impact of buildings. This can include materials such as bamboo, recycled steel, and reclaimed wood.
Water efficiency: Designing buildings that are water-efficient can reduce the amount of water that is wasted. This can include incorporating features such as low-flow toilets and faucets, rainwater harvesting, and greywater reuse.
Green spaces: Incorporating green spaces into the design of buildings can help reduce the urban heat island effect, provide habitat for wildlife, and improve air quality.
Transportation: Designing buildings with transportation in mind can encourage alternative forms of transportation, such as cycling, walking, and public transit. This can reduce carbon emissions from transportation and improve the health of residents.”
How do you incorporate community feedback and engagement into your design process and what role does community input play in the final design?
How do you incorporate community feedback and engagement into your design process and what role does community input play in the final design?
“Incorporating community feedback and engagement into the design process is particularly important in urban areas such as London, where the needs and preferences of local communities can vary widely and must be carefully considered in order to create designs that are truly relevant, useful, and meaningful to the people who will use them.
Once we have gathered feedback from either direct engagement through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other methods of data collection, or through the process of public consultation events organised by the local authority, analysis of the data can begin. We typically look for common themes, patterns, and trends that emerge from the data. This will help us identify the most important issues and opportunities which then can be translated into design changes. In addition, the feedback can be used to inform future design decisions and projects as well.
After incorporating the feedback, it is important to test the design with the community again. The role of community input into the final design is to ensure that the design meets the needs and expectations of the community. Involving the community in the design process can help build trust and engagement, which can lead to greater adoption of the updated design and better use of the final product.”
How do you incorporate the latest technology and design trends to benefit your clients?
How do you incorporate the latest technology and design trends to benefit your clients?
“First and foremost, it’s essential to keep ourselves informed about the latest developments in construction technology and design trends; we attend conferences, read industry publications, and participate in continuing professional development to stay up to date.
Before incorporating any new technology or design trend, it’s essential to understand our client’s needs and preferences. We would typically conduct a thorough consultation to identify their priorities, requirements, and budget.
As concerns about climate change and sustainability continue to grow, incorporating energy-efficient and sustainable design features into our projects can provide significant benefits. Sustainable practices can help reduce the building’s carbon footprint, increase energy efficiency, and minimise waste.
We work closely with our trusted engineers and contractors to integrate the latest technologies and design trends seamlessly into the project’s design and construction plan. BIM technology is an efficient tool that can assist us in this process, and allows us and our engineers to create a digital 3D model of the building. BIM technology can help you visualise and optimise the design, improve construction accuracy, and streamline communication between project stakeholders.”
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