Future of Space Design: How is the Field Evolving with New Technologies?

Space Design or Spatial Design is the art and science of designing and aligning the components in any living space with the suitability of those residing or using it. Space Design might be associated with but not limited to Interior Design. From tiny spaces inside a living room to broad boulevards in a city to wide alleyways to large Churches and Temples, every part of any living space falls under Space Design.

Space Design has a far more important reason to exist than to just meet the decorative and aesthetic needs. It allows for several benefits and an improved lifestyle. Spaces that are better arranged allow for wider, more commodious pathways to walk around. Crowded areas that are improperly planned can also cause health issues. It blocks the proper flow of air and creates an unhealthy and unsanitary atmosphere. Space Design is the solution for that.

With that in mind, let’s look at the various ways Space Design will evolve in the coming years and the many technological advancements that will help it achieve so.

What is the Role of Emerging Technologies in Space Design?

Space Design not only changes housing interiors but also lifestyles, landscapes, cityscapes, etc. Therefore, any emerging field of tech can be usefully implemented in Space Design to achieve it.

• AR/VR

  Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are technological tools that will allow designers to present their ideas to their clients virtually. They will present 3-D models of their Space Design to their clients and this will give them a completely clear idea of what they can expect. The scale, the proportions, the layout, etc. will all be covered under that. This eliminates any scope for an error or imperfection.

• Automation and Smart Furniture

  Companies like StorageMotion are already building smart furniture and home appliances that are technologically driven. Automation and Smart Furniture allow for storing more components in limited space; in other words, utilize the space to the maximum efficiency. This can only get better with improved technology.

• Online Collaboration

  As the world becomes more digitally connected, online communications are becoming much more realistic and far more frequent. It is lifelike, it is practical, and most importantly, it doesn’t create any hassle and the clients can be fully satisfied with the proposition of a design without having to travel and meet physically. This improves efficiency, time management, and productivity.

• Virtual Libraries and Smart Lighting

  Virtual Libraries and Smart Lighting are just two of the aspects that ease life inside the living room. It can be accessed from one’s computer, without the need for adding an extra feature inside the room to access it.

Smart Spaces and IoT Integration

IoT, or Internet of Things, is a technological feature that creates a network of physical objects within an enclosed space that are all connected to the same Internet course. They exchange data and interact with each other. This all together creates a smart home or smart living space.

While Space Design is mainly about designing living arrangements to create more area and a healthier atmosphere, the integration of IoT only makes it a much easier and more convenient living space. For instance, the interconnected web of devices and objects requires fewer features to operate them i.e. switches, switchboards, plug-ins, etc.

Moreover, IoT when combined with Smart appliances, allows for a maximum utilization of limited space to store or accommodate multiple items. Take foldable furniture for example, or revolving shoe cabinets, automated shades, centralized control, etc.

Although they improve minimal space inside a living area, the IoT integration mainly enables a better, more leisurely lifestyle.

Artificial Intelligence in Space Planning and Design

AI is the most burgeoning field of technology in the modern world. It is, therefore, a certainty that it will make its way into every single field of work, Space Design included. While AR/VR, Automation, IoT, etc. help designers either help clients visualize their ideas or play with their own, AI simply eases their job.

AI can help Space Designers in every facet of their job. AI can help them with the following:

• AI can help them analyze data for user preferences and design patterns, etc.
• They can utilize AI to generate better ideas for proper optimization and space planning.
• AI can help create entire virtual designs of interior decor, which can either be approved or discarded by the designer at their leisure. This benefits them with a trial and test method to come up with the best design without much time consumption.
• Similarly, designers can experiment with layouts, colors, furniture arrangements, etc.
• It provides a much smoother flow of work, and due to the virtual nature of things, it cuts down the time consumption for testing out any design layout.

AI tools that can be used for Space Design

• Planner 5-D

  With a drag-and-drop interface, Planner 5-D helps create floor plans and room furnishings. Seamlessly integrate fixtures and décor to ensure more personalized and accurate representation to client needs

• Eptura

  Eptura’s Space Planning enhances workspace efficiency and utilization with features for monitoring, analysis and optimization tailored for all business types and sizes.

• Spacemaker

  A cloud based AI software, which is intutive, collaborative that empowers architects, urban planners to design high quality spaces. It allows to test concepts and make smarter decisions

• SpacelyAI

  An advanced AI tool for designing interiors which offers photorealistic and fast interior and room design.

• Autodesk Forma

  It harnesses the power of AI with an aim to help designers make more informed and sustainable design choices while enhancing the sustainability and livability of projects.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Technologies

Although Space Design, in its essence and principle, has existed for a while now, it has truly grown into something big in recent years. The main reason behind this is Urbanization. As more people become more economically independent and move to cities for work, they find it harder to find living places as per their requirements. Space Design enabled the accommodation of more living spaces in a modern city and reduced overcrowding. This was also an example of a Sustainable use of Space Design.

Now, as the world shifts even further towards modern living standards, Sustainable living becomes of utmost importance.

Since climate change is one of the biggest worries of the modern world, a Sustainable design will require the incorporation of greenery inside buildings. The use of more environment-friendly paints with more tender, brighter, colors, as well as the proper utility of water are some of the means of sustainable design as well as wellness space.

Green roofs, solar power, natural light, natural ventilation, passive design, biophilic architecture, etc. are some of the other modes of eco-friendly technologies that one can try.

With the advancement of AI and other technologies, Space Design is only going to get better and smarter in time. However, the need to fall back on Space Design as a solution only emerged due to the challenges of living standards in modern-day society. These challenges are only going to get pronounced in the coming years.

With the rise in urbanization, there will be a bigger shift in movement to cities. This will create overcrowding of alleys, streets, and also housing areas. Space Design will have to rise to the occasion to find more efficient and alternate solutions to such problems.

Expense is another challenge that Space Design will face. Implementing IoT, AI, Sustainable technologies and other features will cost a fortune to the resident. While this may be good for the overall economy, not everyone can afford it. Hence, Space Design will also have to find a way to make it more affordable while maintaining high standards.

Overall, Space Design is here to stay and will likely be the need of the hour in the future.