How is Gen Z Affecting the Design Build-Industry?
Construction and design evolve to fit shifting cultural and technological trends. These major shifts often correspond with new generations and significant technological advancements. Gen Z represents a growing portion of the job and housing market, lending significant influence to the design-build industry in a variety of ways. For example, when designing for Gen Z be sure to account for technological proficiency and the adoption of new, cutting-edge technologies. The majority of Gen Z in the United States is proficient with mainstream and popular technology and pushes the industry to adopt and utilize state-of-the-art technologies like augmented reality, building information modeling, and artificial intelligence. This extends to both the home and the workplace.
Additionally, Gen Z is, in large part, leading a nation-wide workplace cultural shift. This includes creating and maintaining workplaces and workspaces that prioritize values such as salary 
transparency, social responsibility, equal opportunity, and support for individual entrepreneurial efforts. This is also associated with Gen Z’s efforts to promote efficient and effective digital communication along with sustainability and social responsibility. With much of Gen Z preferring digital, written communication over in person and video alternatives, the way ideas are shared, explored, and discussed is changing and evolving to fit these preferences as well as adapting to fit hybrid work methods and modes.
Gen Z also prioritizes flexible work environments that feature adaptable work schedules and work modes such as hybrid, in person, and remote. This coincides with Gen Z’s push for efficient digital communication, emphasizing shorter, concise, and more direct communication and communication methods. Although these may at first be jarring changes to the status quo, many industries implemented these methods during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to thrive even as we gradually settle into new post-pandemic norms.
How to Design for Gen Z
Designing for Gen Z boils down to one key principle: design and build with their values in mind. Shifting from traditional design build methods may not be a viable option for many companies, however you don’t have to overhaul your entire design-build process to appeal to the newest generation of clients. For example, Gen Z values sustainability and environmentally friendly business practices. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop using lumber, concrete and steel entirely. Instead, try switching to sustainably sourced lumber or lumber alternatives and investing into green concrete or recycled concrete.
Additionally, Gen Z has a variety of different aesthetics and design preferences, but this does not mean you have to cater to every single one. Because their design choices range from maximalist to minimalist, it may be difficult to find a ‘one-design-fits-all’ approach to Gen Z design-build. Prioritizing customizable and versatile spaces that the tenant can alter and decorate to their liking may offer you more success. Incorporating adaptable and convenient technology as well as accounting for the implementation and installation of new and emerging technologies can make your designs more appealing to younger clientele. As the first with advanced technology integrated into their childhood, and therefore life, Gen Z not only values but expects cutting edge and efficient technology in their spaces, from home to the workplace.
While not ignored by previous generations, Gen Z advocates for and embraces accessibility like never before. With the prevalence of social media amplifying voices and spurring the social justice movement, accessibility and equity in your construction is more important now than ever. Promoting equity and inclusivity in your hiring and other business practices, as well as in your design-build processes and final results, is a great way to appeal to and draw the attention of Gen Z clients.
Location is also important for Gen Z. Gen Z prefers to work close to home and near easy access public transportation. Gen Z also values a healthy work-life balance which includes having clear boundaries between work and other activities whether their work style is in person, remote, or hybrid. Many prefer job locations that offer the option to work remotely or have flexible hours, allowing them to balance personal and professional responsibilities effectively.
Advertising for Gen Z
Traditional advertising methods, while effective on the older generations, have proven to be less effective with Gen Z. Favoring short form and engaging content, the apps and websites are where Gen Z is most likely to encounter and engage with advertisements. These apps and websites tend to feature short form visual content like images and videos. This means that Gen Z is less likely to click on a blog, for example, and more likely to click on an Instagram or TikTok ad. It is also important that, when advertising to Gen Z, that you keep up with which social media platforms are currently popular and which are becoming irrelevant. For example, advertisements of Facebook and Twitter (X) may be effective for millennials and their predecessors, but as previously mentioned, Gen Z tends to frequent platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
Conclusion
Gen Z are a complex and multifaceted group of people who standby their values holistically and respect those who acknowledge and respect these values in return. By prioritizing mobile-friendly designs, authenticity, sustainability, and interactive experiences, you can create products and services that resonate with this influential generation. Be sure to advertise your services and products in a way that can efficiently and effectively reach Gen Z in this new age of shortform visual content. Coupling this with careful consideration of location, sustainable business practices, and promotion of accessibility and equity, should help your design-build firm capture and hold the attention and business of Generation Z, the newest members of the job and housing markets.
