Minimalist architecture from 1800s to now guide, Simple design, Functional living style
Minimalist Architecture: From the 1800s to the Present
22 November 2024
image source : pixabay.com
Minimalism was a breath of fresh air for people tired of traditional overconsumption. It came as a countermovement to traditional maximalism, focusing on rational use and functional living.
Minimalism and simplistic construction are not everyone’s cup of tea – most critics hate them for dull colors and emptiness. Yet, this style is influential enough to survive over the ages and into the modern days. Here, we will unpack what makes minimalistic construction and architecture so brilliant and how it developed throughout the years.
Minimalism in Construction – Main Characteristics
Imagine you have a piece of land and want to build a simplistic home for your family there. If you go to https://area.us/ and tell contractors that you want a minimalistic house, they will definitely know what style you have in mind. That is how popular minimalism is in architecture nowadays. And it gained recognition for a reason – this style combines elegance and simplicity in one, appealing to many audiences.
All minimalistic construction is clean and bright. It focuses on reducing what you need to live to pure essentials. If you break down a minimalistic home, you will be left with simple, boxy structures. The style’s main features are:
- simple geometric shapes and sharp lines;
- basic construction materials like steel, glass, and concrete;
- lack of bright colors;
- minimalistic or nonexistent ornamentation;
- wide rooms and bright spaces;
- balanced and symmetrical shapes;
- light and centerpieces are used as the only décor.
Minimalistic structures usually lack overpowering furniture or accessories. While some might find it boring, others enjoy the simple and toned-down design. This has been popular for ages. Let’s see how minimalistic architecture has developed over the years.
Simple Living in the Works
You can’t define minimalism properly without diving deep into human history. Since the 1800s, we have been interested in reducing our belongings to a few things. Some found it therapeutic, while others stuck to minimalism for convenience.
While it wasn’t called minimalism yet, philosophers and thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau went against the current, criticizing the visionary gospel and the conformist movement. They believed that humanity and understanding of the world could only be reached through simplicity. In the next 50 years, their beliefs gained immense popularity.
In the 1920s, the Bauhaus School explored how art could be a part of our daily lives and general society. The scholars of the academy strived to connect the boring product design with the beauty of art, inspiring the masses to reimagine the world of commerce. To this day, the Bauhaus School is known to have birthed one of the most influential art movements in the world.
Official Beginning of Minimalism in Construction
While there were no services like the Area in the past, people still wanted to hire designers and contractors to experiment with new art movements in their homes. In the late 1950s, maximalism and overconsumption were the norm due to the end of WWII. Homes were huge and ornate, with shopping malls and stores opening across the country to support the current trends. Minimalism was a natural response to the consumerist culture.
But it wasn’t born in the U.S. Instead, minimalist art and culture trace back to Scandinavia and Japan, where some of its history is hidden under the name of verisimilitude art.
From the 1950s to the 2000s, minimalism became a key movement in society. People were tired of buying everything they saw and chasing the current. They wanted to live slowly and enjoy what they already had. They rejected the idea that consuming is better than living simply.
Becoming Mainstream
With the introduction of technology and social media, minimalism started appearing in blogs and videos. Various people around the world who believe in simple living started sharing their ideas and adding something new to the traditional minimalist movement. It wasn’t just a philosophy – all of a sudden, these rules were applied to different areas of life.
Minimalism is the Future
Now, you can’t assume that someone who calls themselves a minimalist has the same thoughts and ideas as you. As minimalism entered the mainstream, its interpretation lost its meaning. Yet, minimalism stays the same in architecture and construction, rejecting the idea of overconsumption in the age of economic recession.
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