On November 5, 2007, ARCHI-TECH e-mailed a questionnaire to subscribers with a title of owner/president/principal/partner or architect/staff architect. Read some of what they said:
In which areas will innovation make the greatest impact in architecture in the next 5 years? (Please check only one.)
Which of the following products do you specify to increase energy efficiency? (Please check all that apply.)
What impact will kinetic architecture have on the field? (Please check only one.)
What "far-out" architectural technologies or technologies from other fields would you love to see available for architectural use? (an excerpt of answers)
3-D imaging
aeronautical/aerospace technologies applied to building/structural design
affordable, efficient, and practical alternative energy systems
alternative energy sources for HVAC systems
alternative framing and finishing materials
better, more sophisticated solar and wind power generation
biological panels (wall, monitors, cabinets)
biomimicry
Bluetooth technology
buildings that are self-contained for power usage
buildings that change shape for different functions
carbon fiber structural elements
ceramics
chameleon building exteriors/interiors (they use technology to change color and appearance)
clear plastic concrete
co-generational systems
composite structures such as composite graphite shaft technology from the golf industry and composite metals from NASA and aerospace
computer-driven fabrication
controlled transparency glazing
convective loops
cost-effective biometric security
double-skin exterior walls
embedded chip processors
fiber-optic windows
flexible LED membranes
flywheel technology for storing electricity
force fields
fuel cells
full automation
full use of daisy chains and other methods of automation control as a standard along with backup of power, water, and other essentials
geothermal and geo-passive energy generation
heating and cooling of person via clothing instead of space
holographic designs and design capabilities
hot glass
hydrogen fuel cell systems for buildings
inflatable structures
large-scale "Lego"-type blocks made of a sustainable material for the construction of small structures
LED spotlights
lightweight structures using bicycle frame technology
living buildings
organic skins that grow on walls
"photo-grey" glass technology (eyeglasses) to adjust to daylight
real-time 3-D
renewable power sources
responsive glazing
robotic construction
self-reliant mechanical/electrical systems
suspended glass hardware
the insertion of electrical signal wiring/lighting cabling into glass/glazing to control light levels achieved by illuminating windows/glazing
translucent concrete to introduce daylight into spaces
