What is happening in 2022?

2022 or MMXX11, it is also the Year of the Tiger. As the Year of the Tiger, it is believed that 2022 will bring about change, encouraging people to overcome challenges and difficulties.

What major construction projects can we expect for 2022?

Certainly, material costs and labour issues that impacted the sector in 2021 will continue to feature this year, but despite this there are some impressive construction projects that are expected to be complete or near to completion during 2022. These include:

The Chancery Rosewood

Formerly the US Embassy, the grade II listed building in London’s Mayfair will become a 139-room luxury hotel run by operator Rosewood. The £400 million project is being developed by Qatari Diar Real Estate Company, a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. In addition to its suites the hotel will include a ballroom that can hold 750 people and retail spaces. Importantly the new hotel designed by Sir David Chipperfield, will retain the building’s unique external façade.

Redevelopment of Liverpool docks

The ongoing £5 billion project spanning 60 hectares of land, has outline planning permission of more than 315,000 square metres of office space and 53,000 square metres of hotel and conference facilities. Unfortunately, the docks area has been removed from the UNESCO World Heritage list, with the new schemes described as “detrimental to the site’s authenticity and integrity”, detracting from the dock’s Victorian heritage. However, construction is continuing with 2022 set to see the delivery of a new ferry terminal as well as Everton FC’s new stadium.

Grenfell Tower

What happens to Grenfell Tower remains an important question for 2022. Building experts have recommended it be demolished in the Spring. Damage from the fire and deterioration of the exposed structure means that it is not possible to save the building. However, some survivors and relatives of those who died have called for the tower to be preserved as a memorial. No decision has been made.

Crossrail, known as the Elizabeth Line

In the year that the Country will celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee, passengers are set to celebrate the opening of the Elizabeth line. The £18.9 billion project was originally scheduled for completion at the end of 2018. There has been speculation that the opening could be in the Spring before the jubilee celebrations. Stretching more than 60 miles from Heathrow and Reading in the west through central tunnels to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east. Ten new stations with a further 30 to be upgraded. Sharing five stops with Central line the Elizabeth line is designed to take the burden of the Underground’s busiest service.

Gotham City

Officially the building will be known as Stanza London, but was nicknamed “Gotham City” because of its resemblance to the fictional home of Batman. The £400 million office building, located in the City of London, will rise to 34-storeys at its highest point and was designed “to recall the classic North American skyscrapers of the early 20th century”, which was also the timing of Batman’s creation.

Hanging Gardens of Salford

Part of the development plan for Salford Central, the 10-storey building will be covered in 4,000 square metres of vertical foliage, hence the “Hanging Gardens of Salford”. The developer English Cities Fund is a joint venture between Morgan Sindall’s development arm Muse, Legal & General and Homes England in partnership with Salford City Council. It will contain 115,000 square feet of office space and ground floor retail units with building running exclusively on renewable energy.

What will be the trends for domestic buildings in 2022?

Millennials account for the largest share of current homebuyers and sustainable living is very important for this generation. So eco-friendly trends will continue, these include, energy efficient windows, low-flow water fixtures and biodiverse landscaping.

The covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health. At home wellness amenities, which were once viewed as luxuries, are increasing included on home-owners’ must have lists. For example, health quality improvements can include reading nooks, spa-inspired bathrooms, and exercise or meditation spaces.

Following the pandemic, a high percentage of homebuyers want their new home to feature room for a designated office. So, it may worth considering converting a bedroom or den or building some extra space to provide a work-from-home-office, which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Many of us picked up cooking or baking as a new hobby in the last couple of years, not surprising that the kitchen remains the heart of the home. When it comes to kitchen design the trend this year is functional yet stylish. Spacious, open concept kitchens will continue to be a “must-have”.

Now, more than ever before, homeowners want to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor in a way that lets them experience the best of both. With people less focused on eating out, they will be looking to take advantage of spaces that can function as open-air dining rooms for year-round entertaining.

On-trend with indoor/outdoor living are floor-to-ceiling windows. This home design trend lets light pour in without the need to actually step a foot outside.

The days and months since early 2020 have allowed homebuyers to reassess what they want their home to reflect. So, if you are looking to make changes that break from the past, and what better time refresh and upgrade your home then now.

Contact us at Prime Meridian if you need any help to reassess your home. Our view that the overarching theme in house design trends in 2022, will be creative expression and design freedom.