Neo-futurism
Neo-futurism is a late-20th/early-21st century architectural style. It evolved out of high-tech architecture, developing many of the same themes and ideas. It is seen as a departure from the more skeptical and referential style of post-modernism, and more of an idealistic approach to the future. It aims to rethink the aesthetics and functionality of rapidly growing urban areas.
The movement has its origins in the mid-20th century structural expressionist work of the Finnish architects Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen, as well as the Danish architects Henning Larsen and Jorn Utzon, and other pioneers such as Buckminster Fuller.
Jean-Louis Cohen defined neo-futurism as ‘a corollary to technology, being the structures built today by products of new materials to create previously impossible forms’; whereas, Etan J. Ilfeld has written that neo-futurist aesthetics ‘generates the emergence of artistic modes that would have been impossible prior to computer technology.’
Neo-futurism incorporates urban design that is in touch with human emotions, eco-sustainability, ethical values, and the use of new materials and technologies.
Two of the architects most synonymous with neo-futurism are Zaha Hadid and Santiago Calatrava.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.