The New Habitat 27/28: Rethinking the Spaces We Inhabit
How are the spaces we inhabit changing — and what does this mean for the future of interior architecture and design?
The New Habitat 27/28, the research project developed by APE Grupo in collaboration with Futurea, explores the evolution of the spaces that shape our everyday lives, from housing and hospitality to workplaces and retail. Rather than simply identifying emerging trends, the report looks at the deeper social, cultural and behavioural changes influencing how we live, work, connect and experience our environments.
The New Habitat 27/28
This sixth edition highlights a clear shift towards spaces that are more people-centred, adaptable, sustainable and meaningful. Well-being, flexibility, accessibility, community, sustainability and technology are no longer isolated considerations, but increasingly interconnected elements of contemporary spatial design. The report also explores how interior environments can foster connection, belonging and quality of life.
The research combines international trend analysis with the insights of an expert panel and a quantitative consultation involving 352 professionals, carried out between February and April 2026.
We are particularly pleased to see ECIA Board members René Pier and May Fawzy contributing their expertise to the research. René Pier, interior architect and co-founder of SCHIENBEIN+PIER, brings his experience in professional practice, education and international engagement. May Fawzy, founder of MF Design Studio and former President of the British Institute of Interior Design, contributes her expertise in commercial interiors, well-being and sustainable design.
For ECIA, initiatives such as The New Habitat are valuable because they strengthen the collective knowledge of our profession and provide evidence for understanding — and shaping — the future of the spaces we inhabit.
Discover the full research and download The New Habitat 27/28 below.
[DOWNLOAD THE NEW HABITAT 27/28]