Looking toward 2026, we can see that 2025 pushed the arts and design industries toward bringing materials and memory to the foreground: architects and designers favored tactile, sustainable cladding and thoughtful renovations that reconnect interiors to place and nature.
Glen‑Gery’s SK1N Terracotta Facade System modernizes a classic material by pairing Italian-made terracotta tiles with a rear‑ventilated rainscreen. The result is a durable, low‑maintenance exterior that keeps the warm, organic look of clay while improving thermal performance and air circulation. Offered in seven earthy tones and designed for efficient installation, SK1N supports biophilic palettes and gives facades a refined, linear rhythm.
In residential interiors, projects like Gordon Walker’s Capitol Hill mid‑century condo remodel leaned into preserving original character while updating for contemporary life. The redesign emphasizes daylight, natural views and a calm material mix to strengthen the home’s bond with nearby green space. Subtle ergonomic updates and careful detailing keep the mid‑century spirit intact while making the layout and finishes feel fresh and livable.
Taken together, 2025 favored design that feels rooted: resilient, craft-forward exteriors and interiors that honor context and memory, with sustainability and human comfort guiding material and spatial choices. However, there is still a large opportunity for the space to innovate through 2026 in terms of designs, sustainability, efficiency, and more.
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z (primary audience)
- Millennial (primary audience)
- Gen X (primary audience)
