The New Habitat 27/28 Report: AI and Sustainability Reshape Design

APE Grupo's annual report 'The New Habitat 27/28', developed with trend lab Futurea, reveals that 70% of design professionals now use AI tools, with one in three using them almost daily. However, only one in six projects currently measures its environmental footprint through verifiable systems. The report argues that design must move beyond rhetoric to data-driven proof of impact on people and the environment. In housing, the focus shifts to health and emotional well-being, with the rise of 'low-tox' homes and a return to color over beige. Hotels evolve into transformative spaces prioritizing wellness, community, and nature, moving beyond mere accommodation. Offices are repositioned as strategic tools for talent attraction, with the 'street-to-seat' concept integrating amenities like restaurants and gyms. Retail transforms into relational spaces where brands compete through unique experiences and community building, with AI handling operational tasks. The report, now in its sixth edition, is available for download and is considered essential reading for architects and designers.