The architecture industry is constantly evolving in all areas: from technological to social to legal. On the occasion of our 15th anniversary, we have compiled a list of the 15 most significant changes taking place in the real estate market. Today we present another five.
Neuroarchitecture, while still a relatively young field of study, is already beginning to define innovative approaches to design. It is based on discovering the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of the users of designed buildings. It inspires the search for new solutions that are not only functional, but also affect the overall well-being of their users.
“We are extremely pleased that when designing residential buildings, investors are increasingly opening up to the concept of so-called “healthy spaces.” These are extremely necessary for us as a society – especially after the pandemic period. An example of the application of neuroarchitecture in construction includes the concept of small and affordable housing units combined with strongly developed common spaces, such as a laundry room or rooftop gym. Such designs go a long way toward integrating neighbors. A sense of community is an important factor in choosing where to live, and this is reflected in the architecture” – comments Slawomir Swiderski, an architect at RB Group.
One of the increasingly limited values for us is space. The amount of land available for development is shrinking, so revitalization is gaining importance, especially in urban areas.
We have already written about changes in urban planning in a recent article. Modern urban planning is still looking for answers to the challenges of modern times, such as urban sprawl, energy management or the extinction of commercial streets. The revitalization trend counters the above problems by proposing changes in the original use of a given property. Large shopping malls are being transformed into mixed-use developments. Their offerings are being expanded to include new services, leisure and relaxation opportunities. On the other hand, large-format stores from under one brand are being transformed into retail parks with diverse tenants.
“Such modifications require us to change our thinking and approach to the design process. The experience we have gained in carrying out 41 conversions of Tesco stores to Netto allows us to approach topics related to modernization or revitalization with a much broader perspective than we used to” – comments the architect, Ewa Szpotowicz.
Neuroarchitecture, chronourbanism and revitalization are concepts that are beginning to define the work of architects. At their core are the current needs of people and new challenges for investors.
“As a design office, we need to skillfully balance the needs of users and the goals of investors. We’ve always been good at striking that balance. What I value in our team is our ability to combine the business development of our clients with what matters to people” – adds Anna Brok, co-owner of the Grupa RB.
The urban landscape in the 1990s was filled with crowded markets and colorful bazaars. However, they were quickly replaced by a wave of hypermarkets and big-box stores. Consumers, thirsty for novelty and a multitude of brands, covered miles in the aisles of shopping malls in search of their dream products. More than 30 years of retail market development in Poland have influenced the creation of 16.2 million sqm of retail space (Trei Real Estate , JLL, Retail parks and convenience centers still on the rise, Real Estate Magazine).
The trend has begun to change strongly in recent years. The pandemic has shown us that large shopping malls no longer meet our current needs. We can much more easily do our shopping today online with delivery directly to our homes or to densely located pick-up points.
“The proportion in the area of shopping facilities is changing strongly. The market share of large malls is declining steadily (from 89 percent in 2000 to 74 percent in 2010) in favor of smaller retail parks, freestanding warehouses and convenience centers dedicated to everyday, quick shopping. We see the reflection of these statistics in our daily work. We have recently completed three convenience developments, i.e. Saller Park in Lubsko, Saller Park in Lipnik, S1 Center in Zlotorya, with a total built-up area of 35.2 thousand square meters. Our project teams are now working on several more” – adds Rafal Brok, co-owner of RB Group.
In recent years, the term PropTech, which was created by juxtaposing the words “property” and “technologies,” has become popular. The term, in a nutshell, encompasses a collection of innovative technologies centered around the efficiency and convenience of real estate.
Many of PropTech’s solutions pay attention to energy and utility consumption, as well as reducing facility maintenance costs. Among the most interesting solutions of recent years, we can mention: intelligent systems for air conditioning control, sensors controlling snow load on the roof, automated front desk service, parking availability management, a range of sensors measuring air humidity or CO2 concentration, and sensors for loading containers and garbage garbage cans.
These tools support the daily work of building managers and administrators, as well as developers and sales agents. Above all, however, they serve users who reap real benefits from improved living conditions.
ConTech (a combination of the words “construction” and “technology”), like PropTech, is an area of innovation for the construction industry. Until recently, the two terms were considered synonymous, but the pace of technology development has made it necessary to separate them. How do they differ? PropTech supports property managers and users during the operation of a facility. ConTech, on the other hand, defines applications and advanced technology solutions used primarily during the construction project. Examples of ConTech solutions include high-precision 3D scanning or a BIM environment that enables modeling of building information at every stage of a project.
“Digitization, working in the cloud and accessibility from mobile devices make it easier to involve everyone in the design process in BIM. This allows us to work on up-to-date versions of the project, estimate costs more accurately, eliminate potential collisions already at the design stage, and reduce the risk of delays during construction” – Rafal Brok comments.
