2020 Forecast: Architecture and interior design professionals Weigh In

New year, new outlook. For a forecast of what’s on the interior design horizon in 2020 we turned to a group of acclaimed international designers and architects. From environmental impacts to the increasing importance of imagery, they offer their predictions on this year’s challenges and opportunities—and how to make the most of them.

Susanna Cots – Interior Designer
Susanna Cots Interior Design

Vibia The Edit - Susanna Cots Forecast

I believe it’s time to reconnect with ourselves, in a world where we are communicating with each other more than ever.

We’re in need of looking inward, of looking for our space, learning to listen to our emotions, and integrating solutions into the spaces to enhance them.

“Minimum expression, maximum emotion” is our leitmotiv.

We are moving towards a more sustainable and rational design to create atmospheres that embrace us. Spaces where emotion and rationality go hand in hand, with simplicity and ease.

Vibia The Edit - Susanna Cots Forecast

Andrea Pirruccio – Lighting Editor
Interni Magazine

Vibia The Edit - Andrea Pirruccio Forecast

I believe that in 2020, and in the next few years, the new challenges in architecture and interior design will be related to the environmental impact of each project.

In regards to interior design world, the field I am working in, I hope for a reminder of lessons from the Rationalist masters.

Creators like him conceived of design as something that would solve a problem, cope with a scarcity, and, at the same time, make our daily lives more beautiful.

You should start from the essential to better develop products with a green focus. Useful and beautiful objects that are easy to disassemble and are as recyclable as possible. This is my idea of how to approach projects.

Gordon Ngan – Architect
Plot Architecture Office

Vibia The Edit - Gordon Ngan Forecast

There are more options available to us now for sharing images and our reactions to images, which means a project needs to be bolder in order to stand out.

I feel that we will keep seeing more visually compelling projects in the coming year.

At the same time, while responding to the brief it will be challenging to be context-specific and true to our own design philosophy.

This is important because a design lives long only when it continues to add value after making its first impression.

Vibia The Edit - Gordon Ngan Forecast

Maryam Aghajani – Lighting Designer
Jack Be Nimble

Vibia The Edit - Maryam Aghajani Forecast

I think and hope trends in lighting, architecture, and interior design are aimed towards sustainable and resilient practices.

It’s no news that we are facing major issues such as global warming and dramatic population growth in upcoming years.

These events will be a driving force for future trends and decisions in creating built environments.

I forecast new sustainable methods and materials, such as recycled mixes and resins, as well as technological processes that benefit the users and the planet.

Equally, we will have more opportunities to explore intelligent and integrated lighting controls and systems resulting in more suitable experiences during dark hours.

The ultimate objective for designers would be to create environments to enhance human experience through light and other building components while being aware.

Carola Vannini – Architect
Carola Vannini Architecture

Vibia The Edit - Carola Vannini Forecast

In the interior design field there will be a change towards warmer materials and colours and a partial lightening of the white predominance.

The taste of clients and professionals is to create a living space that conveys a feeling of wellness and tranquillity.

In this regard, colour palettes become more and more important, in order to create a balance that lets the gaze flow naturally over the architectural and furnishings. In architecture, the urgency is to contextualise the space in which the project will be developed, to interpret it, and create harmony with the new elements.

Vibia The Edit - Carola Vannini Forecast

Claudio Moltani – Journalist
Design Diffusion

Vibia The Edit - Claudio Moltani Forecast

I believe the main challenge for the interior design world, and, in particular, for architecture, is to respond to three real needs, apart from fads: sharing, security, and utility. And to create connectivity between these needs.

I think this is extremely important since it’s very different from aiming to meet purely marketing goals.

Furthermore, this widespread connectivity should also include a strong focus on the green economy (for example, offering recharging points for electric cars in every new residential complex).

The role of light will be fundamental to “link” this connectivity to the purely aesthetic aspect.

I expect interesting new approaches at the Light + Building fair, and from architectural lighting companies.

Elena Cattaneo – Journalist
CasaFacile, Di di Repubblica, D Casa, Interni

Vibia The Edit - Claudio Moltani Forecast

In my opinion, the only viable route today is to focus on how to reduce environmental impact.

This might seem an established, even overused concept, but on the practical side, it is still in its infancy.

It requires implementing complex transformations with regards to analysis and research, and investing time and human and economic resources.

That means any good project much be farsighted and directed to the future.

In terms of products or architecture, it’s important to consider:
– Sourcing furniture and materials from companies that have already begun implementing sustainable production processes.
– Meeting real people’s needs and not only the imposed aesthetic trends.
– Designing inclusive and multi-proactive interior and public spaces—or private spaces that are open to the public—to create areas that welcome people and offer the possibility to carry out several activities in the same place.

Vibia The Edit - Claudio Moltani Forecast