#Trends2024: Amey Dahanukar of ARA Designs feels that the current shift in design is marked by the dual role of technology

The onset of the New Year signifies a canvas of new possibilities, unexplored horizons, and a fresh chapter waiting to unfold. It is a time when the prospect of ‘new everything’ beckons, inviting us to embrace the opportunities and experiences that the upcoming year holds. On that note, we reached out to a few rising doyens of the design industry to forecast trends and gain insights into novel ideas, experiment with unconventional materials, and embrace innovative techniques. Here, we are in conversation with Amey Dahanukar, founder of ARA Designs:

What do you see as the most significant upcoming trends in architecture and interior design?

Technology is going to be driving design to a lot of extent. AI is already getting submerged into people’s heads and people have started thinking that they don’t need designers and architects as AI is generating the entire design. This is something that is not working best. But, if architects and designers start adapting AI and integrating their conceptual designs with AI, it could be a massive trend which could cut down time as a whole.

Are there any emerging design styles or movements that you find particularly interesting?

I do follow the entire minimalist and the wabi-sabi which is also becoming prevalent in most of the designs. But the way I believe it is that I do not believe in a specific design or trend. It is more about what visually connects with me, and what my design language is. So, while the trends can keep coming and going, we still stand by what we believe and adapt within our boundaries and limits.

Any eco-friendly materials and practices are becoming more popular?

There is a lot of emphasis on green buildings right now. So, going by the basic norms, having indigenous materials and local materials being used rather than importing, and bringing products from different parts of the country is probably one of the best formats that we should follow. Sustainability has become a big thing, so saving energy and saving power, getting solar panels is the trend which is being followed and is also the need of the hour considering the infrastructure growth around.

How is technology shaping the future of architecture and interior design?

Technology is making dreams come true right now when it comes to designing and also in terms of products. Today we have 3D printers which can help you print out pretty much anything that you want. It also makes the production of the same thing far more easier. We have done something in this format 10 years back and the same thing was done at a small level. And today the same thing is being done at a 10X level, it has just made life easier. There has been use of good technology and AI that has helped navigate us through the entire process and deliver the best product.

Are there any specific software or tools that are revolutionizing the design process?

Every software kind of works in a similar format to some extent. It also depends on what software works best for you. Revit is making construction an easy process in a more organized way while Rhinoceros and Maya are allowing organic shapes to be built in an easier format. Every software is progressing and also developing in its way which is making life easier.

How are spaces being optimized for functionality and versatility?

We talk about optimizing spaces only because we are living in Mumbai. So, if you go out of Mumbai where space is not a constraint, I don’t think people are talking about space management. It is about luxury. I would say that this concept is more city-oriented.

What colour palette and combinations do you anticipate being popular in the coming years?

The trend right now is also the usage of muted colour and design sense which is very Mediterranean. On the other side, you have got designs that are floral and full of patterns. I think this trend will stay around for a while. Lots of earthy colours are also coming into play as well. Lots of deeper and darker shades of red and blue are also in trend currently.

How are client preferences changing in terms of design styles, colors and themes?

Currently, there has been a big shift. While technology is helping us, it is also interfering with what we do because it also becomes accessible to everybody who wants to make a space. But what is not being seen in a deeper sense is people who are designing or people who want to build a house are going through a lot of references and images which ideally is nothing but good quality pictures that have been styled well. The lack of understanding of how the same space can be visualized is becoming a difficult task for everybody to define for everyone. At the same time, it is exposing people to a lot more trends because the current exposure to technology is giving you what has been built, and what can be built all around the world. This opens the palette to everyone.

How are professionals addressing the need for sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing designs simultaneously?

Everyone has their own sense of design. The way we do it is that we are more adaptive to and reciprocating to clients. We have got clients who are dealing in modern contemporary and at the same time, we have got clients who deal in Goan-Portuguese style. It is purely in terms of what our clients want when it comes to designing. We can say that styles are changing and designs are being put in. We cannot deny the fact that every client still has their own sense of design and they come up with their own thought process.