As the trajectories of sustainability and design continue to evolve and become more complex, our focus narrows not on how we can minimize our negative impact, but on how designers, architects, and specifiers can maximize a positive one.

We consider this a critical method for future-proofing design, or the ongoing process of finding industry improvements that will allow exceptional work to continue well into the future. Our friends at B+G Design and Studio 11 Design weighed in on this topic to give us a glimpse of what might be ahead for designers—and how we all can take steps toward a brighter future for our projects, our clients, and our planet.

For Miami-based B+G Design, the goal has always been to create designs that won’t fade out of style almost as soon as the project is complete. “Our philosophy is that designs should be long lasting, especially within the home,” principal Giselle Loor believes. “We look to sophisticated tones, thoughtful furniture selections, and architectural interiors that live past trends.”

The thoughtfulness Loor mentions translates into functional, practical spaces that flow with the way people will use them. From architectural detailing to conscious lighting plans, innovative cabinetry and beyond, B+G creates designs that solve challenges in the long term, in response to, or in spite of, what’s currently trending.

B+G Design paired Pure White SW 7005 (255-C1) with crisp black accents throughout the residence for a timeless look. Photos by Kris Tamburello.

“The influence of trends on design is almost immediate,” she says about the rapid acceleration of fad cycles. “We feel that timeless design will always be a mainstay. Classic color palettes, warm interiors, and modern minimalist aesthetics still play an important role, as these styles tend to outlive most trends.”

Kellie Sirna, owner of Studio 11 Design, takes a similar approach, future-proofing her work by ensuring that as many elements of the completed design as possible will adapt to meet evolving needs and preferences. “As designers, we’re tasked with thinking ahead to identify and integrate the emerging materials, tools, and trends that people haven’t heard about yet,” she says. “After pinpointing innovation opportunities, we prioritize durability, longevity, and timelessness to ensure our designs can withstand an unpredictable world.”

Time-honored aesthetics and an intentional sense of style are an excellent starting point for designing sustainably. “By sourcing materials and objects that age gracefully,” Sirna says, “we reduce waste and replacement costs for our clients.”

The Sundry, a food hall in Las Vegas, allows the unique vision of each culinary experience to shine. Naval SW 6244 (253-C6) and Gorgeous White SW 6049 (274-C2). Photo by Angelo Clinton.

There is an ever-growing desire to invest both financially and emotionally into products, projects, and professional partnerships that proactively pursue sustainable design practices. Whether in reducing water usage through smart kitchen and bathroom systems, or in air systems and paint technologies with purification properties, the homeowner or occupant of a consciously designed space can tend to their personal well-being and the health of the planet at the same time.

B+G Design used an innovative cabinetry system to creatively connect adjoining spaces in an effort to extend their functionality and lifespan. Photos by Kris Tamburello.

Today’s ethical companies make it easy to get started sourcing materials with minimal environmental impact. “Look to resources within the companies and brands you work with,” Loor advises. “Many outline materials with low VOC impact or woods that are sustainably sourced. We live in a time where there is an abundance of knowledge and materials to design responsibly.”

By using renewable products or recyclable coatings, like Sherwin-Williams Powdura ECO powder coatings that contain the equivalent of 35 recycled plastic bottles, designers can explore alternatives to use-and-lose products that contribute to the harmful accumulation of global waste.

So much of future-proof design comes down to adaptability. Client desires, habits, and preferences change, and so do our lifestyles. But as time passes, and trends come and go, lingering or short-lived, design practices evolve as well. As we start to accomplish more in less time, the time we save can be put toward more thoughtful planning, client care, and pathways to professional growth. 

Time-saving tools and the expediency of the internet allow designers to spend less time waiting and searching and more time on the creative process itself. According to Kellie Sirna, these tools liberate designers to dedicate more time to in-depth destination research in particular, which is a passion of hers. 

Local materials and a sense of vibrant destinations always come into play with Kellie Sirna’s designs. Photos by Angelo Clinton.

“Embrace slow design by studying the artistic essence of the destinations you’re working within,” she advises. “Choose to prioritize artistry, locally sourced materials, and antiques. When the exact perfect piece can’t be found, be open to customization.” Between this kind of careful curation and identifying ways to sustainably update spaces with minimal waste—like applying a fresh coat of paint—we can adopt slow design principles effortlessly. 

Kellie Sirna, who specializes in hospitality environments, put her slow-design sensibilities and penchant for destination-driven designs to work when Studio 11 Design was tasked with creating a highly anticipated food hall in Las Vegas: The Sundry. 

The design team set out to establish a cohesive aesthetic that would celebrate creativity and the unique vision behind each dining and beverage concept. “Through the process of crafting an authentic, context-driven space for today’s culinary stars and the rising superstars of tomorrow,” Sirna says, “we fine-tuned our niche as a future-forward design team.”

Studio 11’s careful sourcing resulted in a beautiful community space for drinks and dining, inside and out. Photos by Angelo Clinton.

Both Studio 11 Design and B+G Design look to a future of the profession that will incorporate diverse visions and creative concepts in ways that will revolutionize how we design. Through broad thinking and cross-industry collaborations between interior designers, fashion designers, and the latest innovations in tech, we can apply this mutual learning so that all aspects of art and design are set on course for sustainably sourced and slow-designed spaces that will endure and inspire.

Top image: Designed by B+G Design, photo by Kris Tamburello.