The KPF Principal says, “after years of spectacle and brand-driven architecture, there’s an appetite, especially in New York, for buildings that feel integrated and inevitable rather than singular and expressive. Architecture that values experience and usefulness over heroic form will (hopefully) produce buildings that are calm, proportioned, and materially grounded.”
In “People need to ask more of their buildings: 6 ideas that will define architecture in 2026,” Fast Company explores how architectural priorities are evolving in response to changing cultural, economic, and urban conditions. The piece, written by Nate Berg, points to a broader reassessment of what buildings should offer, focusing on usefulness, longevity, and their role within the city instead of iconicity.
Trent’s contribution underscores this shift, where he observes a renewed appetite for architecture that feels inevitable rather than expressive. This perspective reflects KPF’s long-standing commitment to contextual, integrated design—architecture that contributes quietly and meaningfully to everyday urban life.
