November 2025 | Blog | Reading time: 4 minutes

Do we have a tradition? For the third year in a row, Metadecor presents the latest trends in architecture and façade design – as we see them reflected in project requests and ongoing work. We make no claims about the “why” behind these trends; we simply observe them. And we share how we – together with the team of architects, consultants, and contractors – work towards the best possible response to every (new) challenge.

 Project Montevideo in Antwerp, Belgium (m2 Architecten). A tall, robust building of weathering (corten) steel with a bold, striking appearance.

ROBUST

Is Brutalism a trend or a movement? Or simply a name for solid buildings built to last forever? We’re happy with any definition – as long as we regularly get to realise projects like Fugro’s headquarters or Montevideo, both featuring striking façades of weathering (corten) steel. The DV&O building in Zaandam also has a high level of abstraction. The car park we’re currently working on in Zaventem, with kilometres upon kilometres of horizontal aluminium louvres, is impressive in both scale and presence. Yet those who look closely will notice subtle details and gestures that bring a sense of humanity to these robust structures. As far as we’re concerned, this trend can stay.

SOMBRA, the world’s first pavilion with air-driven dynamic shading, entirely without electricity.

Moving with the sun

A perfect fit within the trend of biomimicry: utilising natural processes to improve building comfort and reduce energy use. With MD Airshade, we use the sun itself as the on-off switch for dynamic solar shading – entirely without electricity. Our pavilion SOMBRA (on display in Venice until 23 November 2025, then travelling on) demonstrates what MD Airshade can do: an air-powered façade that closes on its own. Air tanks within the façade warm up in the sun, creating pressure that allows the panels to close. As night cools the air, the façade reopens. The system uses no operational carbon and even saves energy because (a) MD Airshade requires no electricity, and (b) it provides precise shading, reducing cooling demand.

Project Binnendok Car Park in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (SOME Architects).

Detachable

A growing criterion in façade design is disassembly. Metadecor façades have always been fully demountable. We never thought that this would become a unique selling point – it’s simply how we build. To assess façades or buildings for disassembly (e.g. for BREEAM or GPR Building) a specific measurement method has been developed. That is unnecessary for our panels, façade elements or mounting systems, because everything is mechanically attached and, in most cases, can be removed individually.

Wooden louvres for Fugro Car Park in Nootdorp, the Netherlands (architect: cepezed).

More wood

We’re seeing more natural materials appearing in façades. Within our MD Lamel product group, wood has now become a fully-fledged material. In several projects, wooden louvres define the architectural expression – from clean linear forms (Fugro car park) to flowing parametric curves (Zuidwolde project). The demand for wood façades is rising at Metadecor too – but it’s not always real timber. Over the past year, we’ve seen more projects using aluminium louvres with a sublimated wood pattern. Sometimes, looks can be deceiving…

Black nesting boxes at the top of the façade provide birds and bats with a safe spot, seamlessly integrated into the façade panels of Fugro Headquarters in Nootdorp, the Netherlands (architect: cepezed).

A Place for Nature

Living greenery, flying creatures… they’re finding a home in our façades. Starting with plants: open structures such as MD Expanded Metal or MD Designperforation are perfect “climbing frames” for vegetation. Cable systems and MD Nettick can also be used for this purpose. One project that combines several of these options is the Hart van de Waalsprong car park. For birds and bats, we’ve already built numerous (almost invisible) nesting spaces into façade elements – for example, at Fugro’s headquarters. Yes, that same rugged building from our first trend. Let’s hope its bold appearance doesn’t scare off our flying friends.

Oh, and these aren’t the only trends… We’ve seen many more fascinating requests and creative ideas, that could be the trend of years to come. Don’t hesitate to call or email us with your unconventional design. We´re not easily fazed, so challenge us with your idea, and we’ll tackle it together!