Sustainability, revisited: Emerging trends shaping design with Cosentino

The evolution of sustainable design remains one of the most dynamic aspects of architecture, design and manufacturing today. And as the concept of sustainability transforms and augments – permeating every aspect of the design process – what used to be niche and novel is now essentially commonplace. End-consumers are educated in the realm of environmental and societal product impact, architects and designers prioritise emissions reduction as part of their projects, and suppliers modify their operations to incorporate more recycled content into their products.

In some ways, this notion of sustainable design has been normalised. It’s no longer an aspiration – it’s an expectation. So, what’s next in this space? We turn to Cosentino to tackle this question. 

As a global sustainable surface materials leader, Cosentino has always led rather than followed. Pioneering product launches like Dekton®, the world’s first carbon-neutral ultra-compact surface, and Xeron®, a zero-crystalline silica surface with almost 90% recycled content, have demonstrated that Cosentino has not simply related to emerging trends – instead, they’ve heralded the future through their ingenuity and innovation. And now, Cosentino has brought this future-forward expertise to the forefront by collaborating with industry experts to create a comprehensive report on the emerging design and architecture trends: “Shaping Tomorrow: Future Design & Architecture 2025-2026.”

Spanning over 400 pages of in-depth texts and visual references authored by the leading voices from a broad range of design industries, the publication offers a nuanced point of view on how we want to live in the spaces and cities of tomorrow, providing a comprehensive overview of emerging priorities in materials, styles, technology and sustainability.

Unsurprisingly, sustainable design is changing – and the evolution of surface materials exemplifies this shift. “While recycled content or emissions reduction remain essential, the focus has expanded to material health, full lifecycle transparency and circularity,” says Alexandra Tomasi, Marketing Manager – Oceania. “And there’s also growing demand for ultra-durable, multifunctional materials that contribute to longevity and reduce the need for replacement.”

The biggest shift: From compliance to innovation

However, according to Cosentino, the most transformative shift is from sustainability as compliance to sustainability as innovation – and this drive to move beyond baseline expectations is reflected directly in the report findings.

While 70% of surveyed professionals state their projects meet local sustainability regulations, the report highlights a significant push to exceed compliance. “Meeting local standards is not enough; we aim to exceed them to lead by example,” a Canadian architect states, while another adds that they “opt for additional certifications, even in markets where it’s not mandatory.”

This forward-thinking mindset aptly illustrates the evolution from sustainability as a checklist item to an integrated, innovative approach. “Architects and designers are actively seeking materials that are not only safer and lower impact,” Tomasi adds. “They’re looking for solutions that inspire and unlock new creative possibilities.” And that’s precisely what Cosentino’s report sets out to help them achieve. 

Sustainability that encourages creativity

“‘Shaping Tomorrow: Future Design & Architecture 2025-2026’ is designed to inspire creatives to think outside the box,” Tomasi says. “From colour palettes to finish choices, every detail is carefully selected to motivate them to consider the impact of their decisions on the world around us.”

Echoing insights from over 200 architects and designers involved in the co-creation of the compendium, this robust report bursts with immersive mood boards and vibrant colourways and material references, engaging interviews and opinion pieces, and stimulating international case studies from a range of typologies. Cleverly curated, rich in references and incredibly comprehensive, this compendium emerges as a powerful design guide, pointing to Nature, Urban, Origin, Solace and Wonder as the most significant macro-trends to pay attention to.

Nature: Designing for and with the environment 

Confronting the climate crisis and the sense of fragility it embodies, Nature embeds environmental stewardship at the core of the design process. It champions a philosophy of designing with and for the environment, favouring renewable, regenerative and locally abundant materials. Nature also embraces their honest, unedited aesthetic, yielding an essential palette of organic hues and finishes that foster a link with the natural world.  

This trend also signals a move beyond basic sustainability towards cyclical thinking, prioritising enduring durability, longevity, recycling and resourcefulness. This mindful, nature-forward essentialism inspires resilient interiors that seamlessly integrate with their environment and contribute to a healthier planet, making responsible design – and focus on origins and end-of-life of materials – the undisputed baseline.

Urban: Designing cities for the future

Addressing the complexities of modern city life, while acknowledging the challenges of urban density and climate change, this trend drives architectural innovation focused on resilience, adaptability and human-first problem solving.

Urban tackles evolving needs through strategic, climate-resilient planning, adaptable architecture and enduring materials that can help curb overall carbon emissions. Flexible typologies and modular systems accommodate the changing dynamics of modern workplaces and multi-generational living, while also carving out essential moments of tranquillity that nurture respite and focus. At the same time, Urban advocates for spaces with unique identities rooted in their context, integrating authentic and engaging materiality and colour strategies that prioritise human experience and juxtapose the placeless expression of generic design. “Good cities are not about the buildings, but what happens between them,” says Peter Ippolit, an architect from Germany. “Exchangeable design, exchangeable cities, make exchangeable people.”

Origin: Bringing it back home

As an introspective response to global aesthetic homogeneity and digital abstraction, Origin embraces the same notion of locality, heritage and genuine provenance. It elevates the intrinsic value of locally sourced and ethically considered materials, positioning ancient techniques, tangible craft and artisan collaboration as crucial counterpoints in our increasingly uniform world. 

From transforming traditional techniques with innovative processes to the sensitive adaptation of architectural legacy, Origin fosters design imbued with cultural resonance, narrative integrity and a powerful sense of belonging. It also celebrates our unique identities by integrating materials and hues that yield intimate, timeless environments anchored by their context, and both past and present.

Solace: Designing for our emotions
 
Recognising that we spend 90% of our lives indoors and interiors serve as profound extensions of the mind, Solace rejects sole reliance on visual aesthetics, leaning into multi-sensory environments attuned to occupant well-being. This ethos manifests through a concept of the healing home, which employs deliberate strategies grounded in colour psychology, light, sound and tactile materials like porous ceramics and textured stone to create well-designed spaces that are felt, not just seen.

Curated through soft, welcoming forms and biophilic vernacular, Solace gently encapsulates the desire to craft restorative havens mindful of the personal nature of sensory experience, honouring the profound connection between inhabitants and spaces. 

Wonder: Bending reality, beating expectations

Wonder counteracts predictability and monotony by creating engaging spaces that evoke curiosity, surprise and deep emotional connection. This desire to imbue our day-to-day life with the delight of a “wow factor” manifests through playful aesthetics, unexpected material juxtapositions, surprising colour combinations and ‘dreamscape’ qualities blurring physical and digital boundaries.

By intentionally designing delightful moments and immersive narratives, Wonder aims to create unique environments that cultivate shared positive experiences and resonate across diverse abilities and backgrounds. And, with almost half of the surveyed professionals stating that design’s primary impact is on the emotional state of occupants, both Wonder and Solace emerge as exciting trends. 

These shifts paint an inclusive, inspiring and immersive vision of a sustainable future that’s better for everyone – and the responsibility to make it a reality will lie with architects, designers and leading manufacturers like Cosentino. Especially, as highlighted by the report, integrating high-performance ultra-compact surfaces like Dekton® holds a substantial 16% share, underscoring the growing adoption of engineered sustainable solutions alongside traditional materials. 

“These trends are pushing the industry to reimagine the entire product lifecycle – from sourcing and manufacturing to installation and end-of-life,” enthuses Tomasi. “Materials must now be traceable in terms of ingredients and environmental impact, safer to fabricate and install, as well as durable and timeless.” At the same time, the materials have to excel on other fronts – including aesthetics, functionality, technological innovation and even emotional connection – even though balancing these expectations makes sustainable material R&D and manufacturing a particularly demanding undertaking. 

Despite these challenges, Cosentino’s product range consistently fuses these qualities, and the innovative solutions like Xeron® and Dekton® are already setting the stage for a sustainable future. The products’ environmental profile, durability and performance provide an enduring foundation, while the versatile palette has the breadth to foster wonder and connection to place; imbue the interiors with authenticity and help soothe the senses to promote well-being. 

This blend of sustainability, resilience and aesthetic appeal highlights the importance of advancing material innovation in the transition towards a more sustainable future – and underscores Cosentino’s active role in creating it. “Manufacturers have a responsibility to lead, not just adapt,” Tomasi states. “And we see ourselves as co-creators of the future of design. We’re deeply invested in R&D to continue developing zero-silica, high-recycled and carbon-neutral materials.” 

In addition, Cosentino is actively collaborating with education facilities and research centres on exploring the next generation of biomaterials, piloting new solutions through partnerships with sustainability-focused designers and working with global regulators, trade bodies and unions to foster a safe and sustainable industry evolution. 

“Our goal is to not only meet the future but help design it,” Tomasi says proudly. “With integrity, innovation and impact.” And, as the recently released trend report demonstrates, Cosentino’s is not only actively shaping a better future, but also inspiring, encouraging and empowering architects, designers and specifiers to do the same.