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Architectural Innovation: 5 Architects Changing the Future

Architectural Innovation: 5 Architects Changing the Future

When it comes to architectural innovation, a lot of interesting things are happening. Architects that have been working with the same business model for decades, finally decided to look ahead and implement all the innovative technology to their work.

However, not all innovations include a tangible product. The architects we are going to write about today, made a change. A change that is a backbone of innovation. Tangible or not, this kind of architectural innovation is what got everyone talking.

Architectural innovation: The big A’s

  1. Eric Reinholdt: Along with 20+ K followers on youtube, Eric Reinholdt is a true innovator. After being forced to take a pay cut at a small company he worked for, Eric realised being employed by someone else doesn’t mean having a secure job. Shortly after, he put the hard work into his own business, 30X40 Design Workshop. Thirty by Forty Design Workshop was established in June 2013 in a home Eric designed himself, on Mount Desert Island. He is considered an innovator because of his experiments with alternative business models such as selling floor plans by bundle. He wrote a book entitled Architect+Entrepreneur with which he hopes to inspire others to start changing the industry for the better.
  2. Jonathan Segal is another example of success when it comes to mixing entrepreneurship and architecture. Segal developed a vertically integrated business model for architecture and has pursued a successful career as a developer. His career is what people like to refer to as a hybrid career. One of his most talked projects is The North Parker. One of Segal’s beliefs is that *the beauty of architecture is the payoff. *What he did is with The North Parker is he transformed the once blighted area of Northpark into one of San Diego’s most up and coming neighborhoods. Click on the video below to see the whole project and Segal’s thoughts on it.

Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG is a group of architects, urbanists and designers based in Copenhagen, New York and London. Even though BIG experienced global success, it didn’t stop him to think innovative and lead the change. Therefore, digitalisation and technology play a big part of BIG’s projects and designs. A project that is said to be a technological revolution in architecture is definitely the Friday Smart Lock. “Friday Lock securely connects to your phone wirelessly, giving you the ability to lock or unlock your door as you leave or approach and effortlessly share access with friends and family.” The inspirationfor Friday Lock which was made in a collaboration with Friday Lab, BIG and d Line, came from the saddle roof. BIG believes in tapping into the unexplored lines of architecture and that is why it plays a big part of architectural innovation.

The world’s first hoverboard

When talking about architectural innovation, Greg Henderson is a person worth mentioning. Ever since his student years, Henderson wanted to develop technologies to make buildings more resistant to natural disasters. Therefore, focusing on research about Magnetic Field Architecture, his saw a potential for different kind of innovation. He developed the world’s first hoverboard. Henderson has been working to improve the product for past few years andTHIS is how the hoverboard looks now. Even though the various technologies used for the hoverboard exist for some time, no one has managed to align them to give a rise to the hoverboard.

While the Hendo hoverboard is primarily intended to be human-driven, the technology that gives it stability can also be used to drive it via remote control by altering the projected force on the surface underneath it. Right now we use commonly available metals in simple sheets to give the hoverboard “flight”, but we are working on new compounds and new configurations to maximize our technology and minimize costs.We know we’re still discovering all kinds of things about The Hendo hoverboard in particular and hovering technology in general. We look forward to sharing them as they become a reality.”

The B-AND-BEE project

Music festivals are fun until you need to go to sleep. However, two design companies found a solution that will make the nigh at a festival as fun. It all started when two firms, Compaan and Labour, won a creative competition to design a temporary housing solution for music festivals. Their innovative solution involves stacking easily transportable honeycomb shaped sleeping-pods. Each sleeping cell contains a king size bed that transformed into a lounge seat, with storage space underneath. Lockers, lights and power supply are also included. Finally, one look at the design and it’s clear why it’s called B-AND-BEE camping concept.

Architectural innovation: the future

Without any doubt, architects love innovation. They are the ones always looking for new materials and product updates. Digitalisation and new technologies have turned they business upside down, for the better, of course. From starting their own businesses to tangible innovation, each step away from the old architectural business model is a step into a limitless future.

Innovative concepts are everywhere and we love to write about them. That’s why we have also covered fitness, healthcare and the educational sector and their best inventions. Check them out.

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AUTHOR
Jakob Storjohann

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