Designing for 2025: Balancing Timeless Principles with Emerging Trends

24 January 2025

Contemporary architectural designed facade with a minimalist concrete and timber facade with landscaped from yard.
Contemporary architectural designed facade with a minimalist concrete and timber facade with landscaped from yard.

This striking facade thoughtfully balances light, form, and materiality, perfectly positioned on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.
This striking facade thoughtfully balances light, form, and materiality, perfectly positioned on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.

Defined by its bold geometric forms and seamless integration of curves, this contemporary design exudes sophistication and balance
Defined by its bold geometric forms and seamless integration of curves, this contemporary design exudes sophistication and balance

A contemporary Thomas Archer single-story home with a striking gable roofline, brick and black metal cladding, expansive windows, and a thoughtfully landscaped front yard featuring clean lines and minimalist greenery.
A contemporary Thomas Archer single-story home with a striking gable roofline, brick and black metal cladding, expansive windows, and a thoughtfully landscaped front yard featuring clean lines and minimalist greenery.

Modern render facade with landscaping and driveway
Modern render facade with landscaping and driveway

As we welcome 2025, the in-house architecture team at Thomas Archer has been immersed in designing some remarkable projects that capture the evolving nature of residential design - one that aligns with the ever changing demands of modern lifestyles. While trends inevitably influence how we approach home design, we believe that great design goes beyond simply following them. Instead, it’s about thoughtfully integrating emerging ideas into enduring spaces that feel deeply connected to the people who live in them.

These principles are already taking shape in several exciting upcoming projects, where timeless design meets forward thinking innovation to create homes built to stand the test of time. Here’s a look at the trends shaping the future of home design:

Biophilic Design:

The integration of nature into our living spaces continues to inspire, with an increased focus on biophilic design. This approach embraces seamless indoor-outdoor connections, thoughtful architectural lines and layouts that reflect the surrounding environment. Our Sorrento project, for example, where our design team has utilised floor-to-ceiling windows and a natural material palette to create a direct connection between the interior and surrounding landscape. By carefully considering elements like home orientation, topography and facade design, we’re able to create spaces that feel as connected to nature as they are functional.

Natural Light:

Maximising natural light is not only a key principle of biophilic design but also a defining feature of modern living. Large windows, skylights and open plan layouts flood interiors with light, creating an inviting, calming atmosphere. These design elements do more than enhance the aesthetic appeal of a home—they bridge the gap between the interior and exterior, fostering a sense of continuity and harmony.

In our Hampton project, the clerestory windows along the cathedral ceilings allow natural light to pour in, filling the space with warmth and an uplifting sense of openness. This design element not only brightens the home’s interiors but creates a soothing, airy atmosphere that enhances comfort, reducing the need for artificial lighting while elevating the overall living experience.

A Mix of External Facade Materials:

In response to the growing desire for unique, personalised homes, the trend of mixing external facade materials has gained significant traction. Far from a simple decorative choice, this approach creates a dynamic interplay of textures and finishes that reflect both the home’s surroundings and the individual style of the inhabitants. By combining materials like render, timber and brick, architects are able to bring depth and warmth to the exterior, creating homes that feel as rooted in their environment as they do a reflection of modern design sensibilities.

We’ve embraced this trend in a range of our upcoming projects, creating a seamless integration of architecture and landscape. This evolving approach ensures that homes not only stand out visually but also make a lasting impression through their craftsmanship and connection to the environment.

Refined Minimalism:

A pared back aesthetic continues to be a cornerstone of contemporary design, though the minimalist approach of 2025 comes with a softer, warmer edge. We’re seeing a shift toward rich, textural finishes and subtle layering that adds depth and visual interest to spaces. This refined minimalism pairs effortlessly with the clean lines and considered proportions that define our architectural style.

We’re excited to see these design principles come to life in some of our upcoming projects, such as the stunning homes in Brighton East, Hampton, Hughesdale and Sorrento. Each bespoke design reflects a seamless integration of site specific solutions, client focused layouts and a carefully selected material palette that strikes a balance between timeless appeal and contemporary innovation.

At Thomas Archer, we believe great design is never about following trends for the sake of it. It’s about listening to our clients, understanding their needs, and designing homes that are as functional as they are beautiful—now and for years to come. By weaving thoughtful trends into enduring design principles, we ensure that every home we create stands the test of time.

If you're in search of a more personalised and thoughtful approach for your upcoming building project, reach out to us now to explore how we can tailor a solution that aligns seamlessly with your lifestyle.