Innovative Materials in Architecture

Like every industry, architecture is evolving. We’ve cycled through different design styles, and now the exciting changes are coming through materials. While some of these materials are currently expensive, they are sure to come down in price. They’re available to everyday architects, and the fact that so many groups are trialling new materials shows there’s a desire for change among the community. These options offer new style options, sustainability & longevity, and we’ll look at a few here. Whether you’re a contractor looking to use these or a homeowner considering materials for a house renovation, this is useful information.

You likely saw the news from England over the last couple of years about a type of faulty concrete that caused buildings to be at risk of collapse. Self-healing concrete could stop problems like that from developing. While some small cracks in concrete already heal, certain bacteria or materials like polymer can now be added to extend this to larger cracks. These additions expand and harden when they come into contact with water or air, which seals the damage. This extends the life of the concrete and reduces maintenance costs, making it a more efficient material choice.

Speaking of glass, that’s had an upgrade too. Some commercial buildings are using smart glass, sometimes also called switching glass. This glass has been designed with various complex technologies to change opacity at the touch of a button. When used in an interior, this can add privacy to a meeting room or on an exterior window, it can control glare and keep the building users comfortable by not allowing direct sunlight to heat the building.

Taking this a step further, dynamic facades are similar to smart glass, but they cover the whole building exterior and combine smart glass with kinetic elements and responsive cladding. This powerful combination can change the exterior’s opacity and shape automatically in response to outside changes such as temperature and wind. This increases the energy efficiency of the building dramatically and ensures the occupants are at a comfortable temperature year-round and have maximum exposure to natural light, which helps ensure a regular circadian rhythm and boosts mood and focus.

How 3D Printing has Evolved the Design Process

3D printers have gradually come down in price and time required for a project, and they have improved in quality. As a result, you’ll now see them used often in architecture to create models. Getting the fine details right is much easier on a 3D printer than with other materials, meaning architects can give their clients a clear visual aid that shows everything they can expect from their finished product.

In early designs, having this clear visual can help ensure everyone is on the same page and get useful feedback from the client. 3D printing also lets architects get more creative with geometric shapes and other intricate structure details as they can quickly see what works and what doesn’t with the 3D printed model.

Although 3D printers use plastic, there is also much less waste than with other model creation materials, so there’s some balance when it comes to sustainability. As 3D printers keep advancing, some companies already supply eco-friendly plastic filament alternatives, and more are sure to be available in the coming years.

In the early stages, some 3D printed items are being used during construction itself. Allowing full control over design, small elements like light fixtures and decorative panels can be 3D printed. These elements are tested first to ensure they can withstand the use required, and as mentioned above, there’s less waste with 3D printing, so the trial-and-error testing process creates less waste. As sturdier filaments become available, larger building components will likely be 3D printed soon, potentially changing the material options available for architects.

The Rise of Recycling Materials

New materials are exciting, but recycling must play a part in the future of architecture, too. Reducing waste and giving materials a second life is key to sustainable progress to ensure we can enjoy these buildings for years to come.

Reclaimed wood from demolished barns or other buildings has been popular for a while now as beams or flooring and is sure to continue to be due to its classic style that effortlessly adds charm to a renovation.

For the structure you can’t see, steel and concrete are becoming easier to recycle and can be safely reused to support other buildings which eliminates the emissions of creating new materials. For interior décor, if it matches your style goals you could choose recycled glass tiles or decorative panels made from recycled plastic.

As well as creating more sustainable materials and recycling, when creating designs, architects are now more likely to consider how to extend the lifespan of the building so all the materials are in use for longer and how those materials could be used again after that lifespan to keep them out of landfill as long as possible.

At BY Projects Architecture, we have a passion for sustainability and believe that, as architects, we should be aiming for carbon-neutral buildings wherever possible, so these new material options have excited us. To read more about our climate convictions, click here, and you can also book an initial consultation to see if our services are right for your next project.

By Barbara Yerondais
Oct 06, 2025