NeoCon organizers have unveiled four influential design themes gaining momentum — shaping the next chapter of the built environment. Aligned with this year’s narrative, “Design Ahead,” these directions — sensory-based design, cross-sector adaptability, material innovation and resilience — reimagine how we work, play, learn, heal and connect. Bridging disciplines and priorities, each trend, outlined below, is grounded by a human-centric philosophy and commitment to sustainability and wellness.
Sensory shift: emotionally intelligent & inclusive design
Emotional well-being and inclusivity are fundamental prerequisites for good design, with neuroaesthetic principles guiding multi-sensory environments that reduce stress, promote healing and enhance social connection.
Kay Sargent, director of thought leadership, interiors, at HOK adds, “Unlike physical barriers, sensory barriers are not always obvious and often go unaddressed. Yet they affect all of us, neurotypicals and neurodivergents, alike.”
As the concept of design as a therapeutic tool becomes more widely understood, biophilic design strategies, informed by neuroaesthetics, are reimagining both healthcare and commercial interiors.
Design without boundaries: Mobility, modularity & multi-use spaces
Today’s interiors must support multiple modes of engagement. This trend has made mobility, adaptability and user autonomy essential. Wellness also plays a crucial role in this boundaryless approach. International Interior Design Association’s 5 Trends in Healthcare Design emphasizes flexible layouts, warm finishes and natural light as essential for promoting well-being.
Materials & technology revolution: Rise of circular & smart design
Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s a driving force in product development and design decisions. Gensler’s 2025 Design Forecast highlights the emergence of a “materials revolution” — driven by the urgent need to address climate risk, carbon reduction and transparency. Clients are demanding low-impact, circular materials that align with ESG goals and brand values. “Material innovation is no longer a niche interest but a top-tier decision driver,” says Todd Heiser, FIIDA, regional managing principal at Gensler. “The journey to more regenerative spaces begins not with grand gestures, but with the quiet power of mindful materials. In this shared pursuit, designers become storytellers, manufacturers become stewards and clients become co-authors of a healthier, more hopeful future.”
Technology is also playing a greater role in advancing sustainability and performance—optimizing everything from lighting to ventilation. “We’re entering a new era where materials are no longer passive elements. Metamaterials and programmable matter are allowing us to embed intelligence into the very fabric of our buildings,” says Mark Bryan, senior foresight manager at Future Today Strategy Group.
Advancements in materials and technology signal a collective push toward circularity, innovation and accountability — elevating both ecological and human outcomes in the built environment.
Weathering the future: Designing for durability, longevity, human & environmental resilience
As climate instability, public health concerns and global supply chain disruptions persist, resilience has become a critical design imperative. The American Society of Interior Designers’ 2025 Trends Outlook notes that rising natural disasters and temperature extremes are worsening indoor air quality and water safety — highlighting the need for robust, health-focused design solutions.
Deeply interconnected, these four paradigms reposition design not only as an expression of care and inclusion, but as a powerful tool to support both planetary and human well-being.
