DESIGN LEXICON

What if you could sum up the future of design in just one word? That's exactly what Team A+D set out to do! In a spirited brainstorming session, we explored the inspirations, aspirations, and ideas that excite us for 2025. Each of us picked a word that reflects the trends, philosophies, and changes we hope to see in the design world. From bold innovations to meaningful transformations, these words create a playful yet profound lexicon a guide to the possibilities that await in the year ahead. So, what's your design word for 2025?

- KASHISH KAUSHAL

ADAPTIVE RE-USE

■ SONAL DAS, Director - Editorial & Brand Solutions

As we navigate the complexities of urban growth, we're faced with a critical question: redevelopment or reuse? Demolition or modification? A recent visit to The Design Village in Noida, a former Katha factory transformed into a thriving design school, underscored the potential of adaptive reuse. Similarly, architect Kamal Malik's revitalization of Mumbai's 140-year-old Ambico Ice Factory into IF.BE, a vibrant cultural hub showcases the power of creative repurposing. The Tate Modern in London, a former power station turned modern art museum, is another exemplary model.

For architects and designers, working with existing structures to breathe new life into them has become a captivating challenge. Amidst the pursuit of innovative techniques, technologies, and materials, we often overlook the value of reimagining our existing, dormant structures.

As Architect Jee Liu, Director of Wallace Liu, astutely observes, "The world will soon face the same issue: we cannot keep building more concrete. The solution lies in thinking creatively about what we already have." This timely reminder encourages us to adopt a more mindful, resourceful approach to design, one that honors the past while shaping a more sustainable future.

SUSTAINABILITY

■ SEEMA SREEDHARAN - Editor