How lifestyle changes influence architectural trends

Looking at emerging trends and styles within residential architecture in London always provides interesting insights. This is due to current trends reflecting, in part at least, the nature of our present day lifestyle. The way we live our lives can often be seen within the way we design and create the buildings in which we live. In terms of this, one of the clearest trends we have observed is a more considered focus on creating space for what will ostensibly be a home office within a residential building.What we understand as "work from home" in the present day is very different from how the term was used as recently as 20 years ago. Back then to say you were working from home would mean that you'd literally set up a new business. These days it's rather more the case that, due to things like broadband internet connectivity, you spend some time working from home as it's easier and more convenient to do so than to travel to your usual office.The high number of people who work from home has had an influence on residential architecture. This is particularly true, as you might well expect to be the case, in the capital city. Whilst once people who worked from home on a fairly frequent basis had little choice but to "make do" and set up wherever there was room to do so, now there is an expectation to have dedicated space for this purpose.This trend is certainly reflected in the residential architecture in London we deliver. We know that what people are looking for in architectural plans will naturally be influenced by both their lifestyle and current trends. Our architects, in turn, allow their designs and ideas to be informed by the same.Ultimately architecture must achieve all set goals in order to be considered successful. Incorporating planning for working space within a home can, for many, be a very important aspect of this.