What makes industrial style a favorite among designs?

The industrial style has been around since the foundation of the first factories in the country. From large establishments, the design has made its way to office spaces, restaurants, and homes. There’s so much to love about the architectural approach; it's no secret that it’s a favorite among designs. John Eilermann.

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Although the timeless, industrial design has become more and more popular among homebuilders over the past few years. It’s been part of all the trend lists for years and is not showing signs of stepping down. When one thinks of this architectural design, tall windows and exposed systems come to mind. Some may not imagine their tiny homes getting flipped to look industrial-inspired. The truth is, space will never be an issue for this design. John Eilermann.

The industrial design gives no fuss and offers no non-sense. For many, its straightforward approach to building and design is what’s so captivating about it. It provides favorable flexibility with the kind of furniture that would match, and ventilation is king. Small apartments may have issues with proper ventilation until the industrial designed is employed. John Eilermann.

Even with its simplicity, the industrial design is bold, mixing both the old and the modern. The natural and bare materials and finishes require no aesthetic tricks. Environment-friendly individuals appreciate this design as it promotes the use of recycled and recovered materials. The lighting, furniture, and décor are a joy to fix into this type of design as it encourages creativity through its plainness. John Eilermann.

Get ready for 2020 with these architecture and design trends

This year saw the increase of digital innovations such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and automation as essential parts of the process. For 2020, design and architecture enthusiasts can look forward to the following trends. John Eilermann.

Image source: Pexels.com

Image source: Pexels.com

Inclusive and accessible design

In the past, aesthetics overshadowed function. For 2020, experts predict a rise in inclusive and accessible designs to prioritize the needs of the elderly and those with limited mobility, hearing, and vision. The challenge is to create a space that encourages efficient movement and comfort for everyone. John Eilermann.

Embracing natural elements

The past years saw how industrial and innovative designs took center stage. In the next years, more people will go back to a more organic structure and design for their spaces. Aside from embracing green and wooden designs, more structures will use materials like bamboo and grass to create sustainable options. Handcrafted and locally sourced fixtures and decor will also make their way into more homes. John Eilermann.

Rehabilitation over demolition

In keeping with the industry's desire to diminish damage to the environment, especially during the construction phase, more property owners are deciding to rehabilitate structures. Choosing to renovate instead of starting from the ground up will minimize costs, manpower, and waste that come with demolition. This also allows owners to transform an old structure into a modernized or even an artistic version of itself. Instead of waiting for months and years before using the space, now construction and finishing process can be shortened. This will allow them to use the place sooner. John Eilermann.

Ancient Architecture series: Legendary monuments

Ever since man was able to design structures, he has built countless legendary monuments. For today, the focus will be on three of the most iconic ancient buildings ever constructed, achievements that are made even greater when one considers the technology at the time they were built.

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Image source : history.com

Also, these three monuments have withstood the test of time, and are still standing for everyone to learn from today. John Eilermann.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy: No other structure in the Roman Empire is more iconic than the Colosseum, found in Rome, Italy. It is the largest amphitheater ever made, at the height of 159 feet. The Colosseum has been the site of endless tales of heroism and tragedy throughout the years. At its peak, it could hold as many as 80,000 spectators. John Eilermann.

The Great Pyramid, Giza, Egypt: Around 2.3 million stone blocks were used to build the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is heralded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Even today, researchers, historians, scientists, archaeologists, and architects still learn new things as they explore this ancient legend. John Eilermann

The Great Wall, China: Built to repel the Yayun tribe during the time of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the Great Wall is so massive that it was completed eras later. It is the longest man-made structure ever erected at more 50,000 kilometers. John Eilermann.

Chicago: A look at the most influential architectural city in the world

Influence of Chicago Architecture John Eilermann

Ask any architect anywhere in the world about which city they believe to be the Mecca of modern architecture and nine out of ten will point to the Windy City, Chicago. For young architects, there are countless structures in Chicago that can inspire and influence their future work. John Eilermann.

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One of the earliest examples of this was the World’s Fair. Held in 1893 in Chicago’s famed Jackson Park, designers at the time came up with grand pavilion models designed after ancient Greek and Roman neoclassical architecture. John Eilermann

Today, of course, when one mentions the name Chicago, images of skyscrapers come to mind, just like its sister city, New York. In fact, the first skyscraper ever built, the 12-storey Home Insurance Building was constructed at the corner of Adams and LaSalle. This feat of architecture and engineering would go on to show that the creation of such a structure was indeed possible. John Eilermann.

As far as interior design goes, Chicago is known for its ‘doorless rooms’ which while was the norm, was catapulted into the status of mainstay in American culture because of the city they were in. John Eilermann.

Anyone who takes a few days off from work and decides to visit Chicago will immediately notice how architecture has breathed life into all its structures. John Eilermann

Between PWD requirements and responsible architecture

Responsible Architecture John Eilermann

We can appreciate more what many people refer to as “responsible architecture.” From green design to micro-apartments, the future of architecture looks to be headed in the right direction, which is to say, one that has the best interests of everyone at heart. John Eilermann.

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Let’s focus on a topic on responsible architecture called “inclusive design.” Inclusive design pertains to the design of a building that’s PWD-friendly. Gone are the days that PWDs (persons with disabilities) are overlooked when it comes to designing and constructing projects. John Eilermann

Designing structures that are PWD-inclusive gives the architect a different dimension in creativity. From ramps, railings, handrails, lifts, and the like, the presence of these fixtures allows for a more unconventional design of the exteriors. John Eilermann.

However, it doesn’t end there. Inside many structures today, there have been PWD-inclusive fixtures added by interior designers, architects, and construction companies. And it helps a lot that all of these additions to the structure is governed by law and required by the government.

After all, architecture means nothing if it isn’t responsible. John Eilermann

Sustainable St. Louis: Recyclable construction materials

I’m John Eilermann, an architectural student from St. Louis, MO. Last semester, we had a class that focused on creating sustainable projects for the city of St. Louis. With many of us Americans becoming more aware on just how much damage the environment is taking, it’s high time we all did our part to protect what we have left.

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One of the more interesting topics we came across for sustainable development was how to use recyclable materials for construction. Here are some of those materials.

Recycled plastic

Plastic has become more harmful to the natural world than we can imagine. It takes years to decompose and it’s a threat to wildlife everywhere. Researchers have found out that recycled plastic and virgin plastic can be used to create timber, and ultimately building blocks for houses.

Bamboo

Using bamboo to build structures is as green as green gets. It’s strong and dependable, and creates more oxygen to help clean the air in many urban areas. It can easily be grown and recycled, and can be placed in several parts of a structure, from its foundation to its fixtures. Bamboo also looks cool.

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Grasscrete

Grasscrete is basically concrete flooring that helps grass grow. It absorbs water faster, which can be helpful in areas that constantly experience flooding. And like bamboo, it cleans the air and acts as a coolant during the summer time.

I’m John Eilermann. Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section below.

John Eilermann here, an architecture student from St. Louis, MO. If you want to read more discussions about the field, follow me on Twitter.

Magnificent architectural cities series: The Big Apple

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I’m John Eilermann, and my interests lie within the architectural wonders of my hometown, St.
Louis. However, my passion extends far beyond this beloved city. There are endless places out there in the world that feature architecture that will simply blow your mind.

For this blog, I’ll be talking about some of my favorite buildings in the Big Apple. Yes, as you know, very few other cities can hold a candle to New York as far as the urban landscape goes.

Take for instance the Chrysler Building, which is unbelievably made out of brick. This skyscraper, situated on the east side of Manhattan has become synonymous with both old and avant-garde architecture. It is an of the Art Deco movement and ranks among the best buildings of New York, alongside the Empire State and Seagram Buildings. Definitely a John Eilermann favorite.

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Moving away from tall buildings, let’s pay a tribute to the New York Public Library, which is a timeless reminder of architecture from a century ago. While it has been renovated and expanded, visitors will still get to see the influences from the era it was constructed.

And just like the Public Library, the Grand Central Terminal, or Grand Central, holds so much history within its walls. Popular for being the biggest terminal in the world, visitors can spend hours, maybe even days, to fully explore its magnificent architecture.

John Eilermann here, an architecture student from St. Louis, MO. If you want to read more discussions about the field, follow me on Twitter.

Six architectural innovations that can be life-changing

Without architecture, we won’t have places to live in and enjoy life. Throughout history, we’ve seen how it has evolved and shaped our world. Every nation has its own take on architecture and design, and each structure built has contributed to the world as we know it.

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Innovations are important for our world to keep on growing. We live in a compressed society, with little space for breaths and connection with nature. Urban forests seem to be an idea we’ll be able to see in the near future. City dwellers need to be reintroduced to nature. John Eilermann sees that the only way to do it is by incorporating it with urban life. Bookcase staircases are a huge win for booklovers and history enthusiasts, as some museums and libraries in Europe already have them.

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The Royal Children’s Hospital and its designers are aiming to build a hospital that isn’t terrifying for children. With “distractions” made of interactive playgrounds, a movie theater with bean bags, and star-gazing areas, pain experienced by children can be mitigated. A wet room bathroom is a bathroom that’s virtually an all-shower bathroom, with no sliding or glass doors to separate the shower area from the rest of the bathroom.

John Eilermann considers the first wooden skyscraper and other nature-inspired structures to be his favorite among the innovations the world will see in the near future. Not only are these highly sustainable, but also provide people the right appreciation, attention, and opportunity to care for Mother Nature.

Hi, my name is John Eilermann, and I’m an architecture student based in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite the strict requirements I have to accomplish to obtain my degree in architecture, I’m having the time of my life learning about the beauty of the field I chose. Subscribe to this blog for similar reads.

Should you pursue a career in architecture?

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Pursuing a degree in architecture isn’t an easy feat. Sleepless nights finishing plates and endless readings shall become part of your routine for half a decade. While it may be difficult, an aspiring architect’s struggles will reap rewards in due time.


Architecture schools teach students to take a pile of data and information in order to interpret it to be informed as to how a building must be designed or a how a problem can be solved. Although answers may not be concluded right away, through this activity, architecture students are taught about design process and logic. Traveling is part of the job. Architects are flown to different local and foreign cities to study certain architecture disciplines.


Architecture is a wonderful study of history. However, it’s not all that. Architectures will be required to practice their knowledge on the field as they begin to design and build structures for clients in the private and public sectors. A career in this industry enables one to make a difference in their surroundings. Public communities can benefit from projects led by architects to alleviate unhealthy and unsafe situations in certain areas.

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If you’re a fan of teamwork and you’re great at it, consider pursuing a career in architecture. Architects spend time with contractors, builders, workers, and other professionals in developing a structure. An architect’s job complements the work of a contractor, and without the efforts of construction builders, the plan will remain on paper and will not be brought to life. A collective effort is needed to establish structures.


John Eilermann is an architecture student based in St. Louis, Missouri. He has admired the architectural structures of the city since learning about the independent city. For more updates from John, subscribe to this blog.