New generations are always striving for something new, right? Immortalised in the saying “You can’t go home again.” Millennials are active in their preferences, preferring to spend money on what they want. And when it comes to architecture for millennial customers, they prefer features that are unorthodox, personal and sustainable.
What Is Millennial Architecture?
The characteristics of millennial architecture are defined by size, affordability, location, sustainability, energy efficiency and walkability. Most millennials are looking for space that is environmentally sound and connected to other living arrangements through greenways and/or public transport systems.
They want to interact with the outdoors without removing themselves from society. Millennials also prefer buildings that can range from contemporary skyscraping architecture to one-room “tiny homes” that are stacked on top of each other. The design trend has quickly become a priority because people are now living in cities more than ever.
During a discussion with Zoish Contractor by Royale Impex, Zoish described her work with millennials as, “I can confidently say that our generation is far more clearer with what we want. The older generation I feel is clearer in the practical usage of space, but the younger folks have a far better idea of the aesthetic that they want to achieve.”
Designing For Millennials
Designing for millennials is no easy task, given the variety of lifestyles they lead. Once you have the basic design in mind, you’d want to consider all their habits when planning what fixtures go where. For example, most are famished when they get home from work, so they want healthy options easily available in their kitchen.
The second and most important thing is how, as an architect or interior designer, you place things around the house. Even with limited space, millennials want the space to look spacious and comfortable. So multi-functional furniture and sleek furniture is of preference here. Zoish added:
“Honestly, this has a lot to do with space availability. If a family does not have dedicated rooms for each individual, I feel the dining table ends up becoming the centre of the house. It’s used as a workstation, sitting space and lounging area. Hence, using multifunctional furniture is of the essence.”
The Design Process For Millennials
When designing the architecture for millennials, we need to understand what makes them tick. They tend to prioritise accessibility and entertaining areas such as kitchens and living rooms. Their social lives revolve around the home and thus, they desire a set-up that is both cool and inviting. For example, they prefer communal spaces for brainstorming or studying with colleagues so there’s always someone around when they come home from work, rather than retreating to their closed-off personal suite that lacks any kind of vitality.
Limitations Of Millennial Architecture
There are many limitations of millennial architecture. One problem is the wasted square footage created by an open balcony system. This doesn’t work well for millennials who want to use their unused space to create more livable areas for their personal needs. Another problem is the size of certain public spaces that don’t work well for people who expect privacy even in public. Plus, architectural environments that react to current technology trends may lose their usefulness after time passes.
How Does It Shape The Dystopian Future?
The design of the building is only part of what shapes the future of humanity. The way in which designs are adopted is crucial to understanding how they shape society. Since buildings can last for generations, people don’t often think about the implications until it’s too late. Sitting with this knowledge, architects need to administrate their design decisions carefully when considering how they will affect future generations. To this, Zoish adds:
“I also think we really need to bring in the longevity aspect in interiors. Whatever you do, think of the long-term impact of it, on yourself and your environment. Don’t be influenced by a Pinterest board, think about if you’ll be able to use these space years in the future.”