Designing for Generation Alpha
You’ve heard of Millennials (Gen Y) and you’ve heard of Gen Z, but you might be wondering who is Gen Alpha? Well, they're highly tech influenced, well connected, and the oldest ones are just turning 10 years old. Generation Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2025) aren’t even near college or work age yet, but the planning on how to accommodate them, especially if you are considering building or renovating, needs to start now.
Like their predecessors, Generation Alpha is all about technology. Since their earliest years parents have been using screens as pacifiers. Gen Alpha expects instant everything — instant information (if they have a question, they don’t even feel the need to pull out a laptop or smart phone to Google it, they have smart speakers and simply ask Siri or Alexa), instant communication (thanks SnapChat and now TikTok), and instant gratification. For this generation, technology is truly an extension of who they are.
Generation Alpha is well-traveled. In fact, they are active planners with their parents, influencing destinations and activities. Growing up the children of “foodie” parents, they are well accustomed to ethnically diverse food and dine out frequently. Have you noticed the latest trend in children’s menus? Many are becoming smaller portion options to the adult menu, doing away with the typical nuggets and fries. And, importantly, this generation values and expects diversity and inclusion.
So how do you design for Generation Alpha? We believe Gen Alpha will expect environments that:
Incorporate technology.
This doesn’t just mean outlets and USB adapters. Gen Alpha doesn’t want technology as an afterthought. It needs to be incorporated from the beginning of design. How will the space be used, and what are the current and future requirements for technology?Inspire creativity.
This is a generation of creators. They want spaces that inspire and allow for their self (and team) creations.
Have visual appeal.
This goes hand-in-hand with creativity. Not only is inspiration important, but the space must also be comfortable and appealing. A place they want to be in. Think comforts of home.
Provide options for individual space or group collaboration.
While this generation loves to work as a team, they also want the flexibility to be alone. Designing for spaces that provide both options gives this generation the ability to chose what works best for them, at that moment.
