5 Building trends to watch out for in 2022

Building trends are currently influenced as much by global circumstances as they are by design. The pandemic impacts building practices, the environmental crisis influences all stages of the construction process, and changes to the way we work affect the design of commercial spaces.

This combination of influences means there’s much to look out for in building trends in 2022. GlassParts supply glass and glazing fittings and tools for trade customers. With glass trending as a way to extend spaces in open plan design, we anticipate a busy 2022 in which architectural glass fittings will feature more than ever before.

Here we highlight five building trends that will impact the construction industry in 2022.


Green construction 

The Government published its Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener policy paper in October which reiterated the construction industry target of meeting a net zero target by 2050. With substantial action, research and development already underway, 2022 will see more focus on sustainable building materials. New products include smart glass windows in which heating capabilities change based on the amount of heat and air conditioning in the building or house. Other sustainability options include insulated concrete framing to retain warmth, and eco-friendly insulation.



Increased use of Artificial Intelligence in construction

It is widely anticipated that the use of AI in construction will increase due to its effectiveness in reducing building costs. AI is used to create forecast models which provide transparency on whether proposed timescales are realistic.

In terms of safety, AI can be used to run scenarios and carry out stress testing to determine how safe processes and equipment really are. In 2022 the possibility of introducing AI learning to reduce construction site injuries and deaths will be explored further. 


Smart connected cities

Urban planning is increasingly focused on smart connected cities. These are high-tech intensive developments that connect people, data and city life. The drive behind smart cities is to create an urban space that is eco-friendly, drives the economy and creates a good quality of life. 

The construction industry will need to evaluate the skills and equipment required to build smart city developments and plan for how these cities will be constructed. Smart city features might include smart roads that reduce vibrations and therefore emissions, and sensors for water leak detection. Several cities have already implemented smart city projects including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Hull, Manchester, Milton Keynes, London and Peterborough.


Increased use of glass in homes

A popular construction design trend that is set to continue into 2022 is the extensive use of glass in homes. Maximising natural light through skylights and oversized windows has provided many benefits to home owners’ wellbeing. 

Glass partitioning is being increasingly used to segregate different parts of large rooms. The appetite for the illusion of larger spaces in houses will continue into 2022. Likewise, glass balustrades on landings will project more light down staircases and into hallways while glass balconies will allow for easy access to the outside. 



3D printing in the construction industry

The use of 3D printing is expected to become more commonplace in the construction industry. While the 3D printing of materials, building components and parts for equipment is already well established, 3D printing may also allow for the faster and more accurate construction of more complex components or bespoke elements. 

3D printing is considered to be instrumental in lowering labour costs and producing less waste, and can potentially be used to build in harsh or dangerous environments.


Get in touch

As you prepare for 2022, if you would like information on glass fittings for construction projects we invite you to get in touch with the team at GlassParts