We¡¯re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world
July 07, 2025
From garbage to AI, we share 5 ideas shaping the built and natural environments in this midyear check-in
Sustainability. Urban development. Technology. These are always top of mind for our professionals as they work with clients to redefine what¡¯s possible.
The year is already half over, and the trends in architecture, engineering, and design are moving just as quickly.
Blink and you might have missed these five trends that are shaping the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry¡ªand what our passionate professionals think about them.
It¡¯s all about data¡ªand data centers: ¡°The power of information comes down to how you power that information,¡± wrote electrical design lead Amanda Carter in ¡°Optimizing the design of data center utilities.¡± In her post, she points out that some say global data storage will top 200 zettabytes this year! That¡¯s enough memory to store all the movies ever made¡ªin high resolution¡ª100,000 times over. Amanda explains how a nearly 70-year-old formula¡ªthe Neher-McGrath Equation¡ªcan help us understand the power that data centers need.
Mall redevelopment¡ªand how the right mix of housing matters: Senior urban designer Jason Beske shared this somewhat shocking bit of information: At the current construction pace, ¡°it will take more than 20 years for new construction to close the housing gap.¡± Part of the solution? Existing malls. While more than 50 percent of mall redevelopment projects include housing, it¡¯s essential that housing be designed for all, Jason explains in ¡°Is a mix of housing missing from your mall redevelopment equation?¡±
Hydrogen power can help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key part of the energy transition.
Hydrogen development demands industrial water. Where do we get it? Hydrogen power can help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key part of the energy transition. But where do we get the water for hydrogen production? Three of our water and environmental services specialists provide the answer in ¡°Hydrogen¡¯s thirst: How much water supply is required for sustainable energy?¡±
What is the role of AI in architecture? Design technology doesn¡¯t take a break. Design computing discipline leader Brendan Mullins offers an honest evaluation of the current status of artificial intelligence in architecture. He also shares his vision of technology and how best to use it. ¡°We¡¯re at the point in the hype cycle where expectations are blown out of proportion. It¡¯s all very new to us,¡± he says in ¡°Q&A: Keeping up with design visualization¡ªdeploying new technology like AI in architecture.¡±
How do you turn the tide on polluted shorelines? Innovative solutions can clean our beaches. Here¡¯s one reality: In 2024, Los Angeles County residents produced more than 246,000 tons of plastic waste. Too much of it ends up in the water system and on the coasts. In ¡°Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture,¡± three of our California water and environmental services professionals with a deep connection to the coastline share their ideas about how best to keep those coasts clean using novel trash capture systems.?
