What lies ahead for architecture in 2025?

As 2025 begins, the architectural profession faces on-going economic challenges, the pressure to meet sustainability goals, and the urgent need for talent. This collection of comment pieces explores the challenges and opportunities that will define the year ahead.

Housing policy, argues Martyn Evans, must shift its focus from numerical targets to delivering homes that genuinely address the needs of key workers and low-income families. He highlights the importance of affordability and quality, and calls for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet these pressing challenges.

Sustainability is another area ripe for progress in 2025, as Anna Beckett reflects on the strides made in material reuse and retrofit-first policies over the past year. She calls for the industry to go further, suggesting that the reuse of materials like steel must become standard practice. She also challenges the profession to adopt a more holistic approach to environmental impact, factoring in biodiversity and water use alongside embodied carbon.

The relationship between place and wellbeing is undergoing a transformation, according to Sophie Thompson, who makes the case for urban design that prioritises healthier, more inclusive public spaces. From reconnecting people with nature to creating sociable, joyful environments, she argues that these considerations are essential to addressing modern pressures like mental health and social isolation.

For Eleanor Jolliffe, conservation and reuse are central to the profession’s future. Reflecting on her own work in refurbishment and retrofit, she emphasises the craft and collaboration required for this approach, which is increasingly essential in a carbon-conscious world. She also champions ongoing education, urging architects to learn from traditional techniques and invest in the skills needed to adapt to a repair-first mindset.

In a challenging jobs market, Jimmy Bent explores how firms can navigate the talent shortage by rethinking recruitment strategies. He advocates for investing in apprenticeships and workforce development, while stressing the importance of acting decisively to attract top talent in a competitive landscape.

Together, these perspectives offer a glimpse into the year ahead, shedding light on the forces shaping architecture and the built environment in 2025.

Wellbeing isn’t delulu – it’s key to creating healthier places

Sophie Thompson examines how the challenges of modern life are reshaping our relationship with place.

Meeting housing targets is not enough – 2025 must deliver better homes for those who need them most

Martyn Evans argues that meeting housing targets isn’t enough – it’s time to prioritise affordability, quality, and a shared vision for the future.