How would you define Contemporary, it is living or occurring at the same time. Being in the trend or the functionality of present, how we interpret things in present bring change or advancement in our disciplines. contemporary architects are working in several different styles, from postmodernism and high-tech architecture to highly conceptual and expressive forms and designs, resembling sculpture on an enormous scale. The different styles and approaches have in common the use of very advanced technology and modern building materials, such as tube structures which allow construction of buildings that are taller, lighter and stronger than those in the 20th century, and the use of new techniques of computer-aided design, which allow buildings to be designed and modeled on computers in three dimensions, and constructed with more precision and speed.
Some Characteristic that Contemporary Design state are- New construction materials, Both curve and straight lines, Play of Voids, Abstract forms, Open plan concept, Functional spaces with stylish and sleek designs, Asymmetry.
And How would you define Minimalist, Minimal amount or degree of something. Interestingly minimalism is a way of living whether it is architecture, art or fashion. With minimal design approach you can solve any design problem. Minimalist is related to simplicity also where we are driven towards the usability of things or spaces. Here FUNCTION plays a crucial role considering “LESS IS MORE” Very famous idiom defined by the famous “LUDWIG MIES VAN DE ROHE”. This concept of LESS IS MORE started in 20th century after the De Stilj and Bauhaus movement reducing the subject matter to geometric art.
Some Characteristics that Minimalist design state are- Firm lines, Purely geometrical shapes, clean facades, Sense of order and rhythm, creating balance in spaces.
CONTEMPORARY MINIMALIST DESIGNS
Combining the Trending (Contemporary) with the Way of living spaces (Minimalism) creates a perfect combination for todays design challenges. As a Architect I realise Minilalism is a way of living, observing and feeling the space and lifestyle whereas contemporary is a way to describe it with 21st century trends. Some of the Features that it delivers are:
- Simplicity in form and function
- Uncomplicated cladding & wall finishes
- Clean, open, light-filled spaces
- Simple detailing devoid of decoration
- Strategic use of materials for visual interest, texture, and personality
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry
The Guggenheim Museum is a fusion of complex, swirling forms and captivating materiality that responds to an intricate program and an industrial urban context. Although the metallic form of the exterior looks almost floral from above, from the ground the building more closely resembles a boat, evoking the past industrial life of the port of Bilbao. Constructed of titanium, limestone, and glass, the seemingly random curves of the exterior are designed to catch the light and react to the sun and the weather. Fixing clips make a shallow central dent in each of the .38mm titanium tiles, making the surface appear to ripple in the changing light and giving an extraordinary iridescence to the overall composition. he twisting curves were designed using a 3-D design software called CATIA, which allows for complex designs and calculations that would not have been possible a few years ago. The building’s walls and ceilings are load-bearing, containing an internal structure of metal rods that form grids with triangles. CATIA calculated the number of bars required in each location, as well as the bars’ positions and orientations. In addition to this structure, the walls and ceilings have several insulating layers and an outer coating of titanium. Each piece is exclusive to its location, determined by the CATIA software.
Minimal El Maitén house by Bernardo Rosello’s in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentinian studio Bernardo Rosello Arquitectura has chosen all-white finishes for this home in Buenos Aires, which was designed for one person but will eventually be expanded to fit a family.
The architecture firm completed the minimal white property in Bahía Blanca – a port city in the Buenos Aires province. It is located in a residential neighborhood called El Maitén, from which the house takes its name. The home comprises a long and narrow volume, running from north to south across the site. The compact volume spans 70 square meters – not including the patio at the front, which is referred to as a gallery. This leaves plenty of space on the 730-square-metre site for an extension that the firm has planned for the front.
“At the request of the owner, its realisation was planned in two construction stages: a house with an area of 70 square metres plus the gallery – which meets the needs of basic use for a single user – and a second stage with two bedrooms and a bathroom for future growth,” said Bernardo Rosello Arquitectura
From the corrugated cladding and steel frame structure on its exterior, to the painted walls and wooden beams inside, the studio has made the house almost entirely white. Large expanses of glazing run along the front of the property, and slide open onto a raised patio.
Translucent panels of polycarbonate are slotted into the overhanging roof above the patio to provide shelter from strong prevailing winds, while also allowing light to filter through. An open-plan living, kitchen and dining room adjoins the deck inside the residential wing. Furnishings in this area includes a glass dining table, white dining chairs and a pale sofa.
The master bedroom is placed at the southern end of the volume in a portion with less windows. Appliances and the white-tiled bathroom are set inside volumes that help define different areas without using conventional walls, as well as providing closets for storage. The wall that faces the street is also covered in corrugated metal to provide privacy, with just a narrow gap left at the top for natural light.
CONTEMPORARY MINIMALIST IN INTERIOR
Sleek and stylish interior without any kind of decoration, natural forms and designs with neutral color palette gives the perfect simplistic and contemporary aesthetics. Some of the examples and ideas that compliment the above statement.
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