Minimalism has become a popular choice for interior design, art, and ways of living. It’s also highly regarded in the field of architecture, showcasing the beauty of simplicity in design. Discover the roots of this influential architectural movement, its distinguishing features, and the impact it continues to have in contemporary times.
Origins
Minimalist architecture finds its origins in several significant architectural styles, namely Japanese Zen, Cubist designs, De Stijl, and Bauhaus designs from the 1920s. While each of these styles has its own unique history and characteristics, they share a common objective. They all strive to achieve cleanliness, simplicity, and the removal of non-essential elements, resulting in serene, uncluttered spaces. This architectural approach gained momentum after World War II and continued to gain prominence, thanks to renowned architects like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
In the United States, minimalist architecture gained traction in the early 1960s, coinciding with the growing interest in minimalist artwork. From its inspirational beginnings in the 1920s to the present day, minimalism has served as a refuge from the often chaotic and cluttered world. It is frequently expressed through architecture, art, and even as a philosophical standpoint.
Do you want to bring a minimalist architectural style to your home exterior design? If yes, then you can use stone and concrete as the main materials. The addition of glass accents to the exterior design has succeeded in giving a modern look to the exterior of this house. Minimalist Architecture from @architectural.desiign
This minimalist home exterior design has wood material which will give a natural impression to this exterior design. Combined with glass accents this will also allow sunlight to enter your home. Wooden Accent Minimalist Architecture from @publicedition
Modern style is certainly quite popular this year, now you can try it on home exterior decorations with a combination of dark colors and glass accents. The touch of wood in this design will also give a natural touch to your home’s exterior. Dark Minimalist Exterior from @minimalmotifs
The decoration of this tiny house which is dominated by wood and glass is an exterior appearance that is never boring and out of date. Now you can add concrete accents which will add a modern look to your exterior. Meanwhile, glass doors and windows that are large enough can be used as natural room lighting ideas. Minimalist Architecture Exterior from @minimalmotifs
The minimalist style looks amazing and is quite a favorite this year, you can use several different materials for style and appearance. The combination of wood, glass, concrete walls and natural stone will blend harmoniously to present a minimalist feel. Concrete and Stone Exterior from @opumo
You can apply a minimalist style to your home design. Having material from concrete and painted white adds a clean appearance and of course it looks sleek. Meanwhile you can complement it with dim yellow lighting which will add a more dramatic look. White Minimalist Exterior from @minimalmotifs
This exterior glass is successful in decorating your home design. This material has quite good resistance to various weather changes outdoors. In addition to providing a modern feel, the glass and concrete materials also provide a sleek and charming appearance. Glass Exterior from @architectural.desiign
Opting for a minimalist exterior will never lose its appeal. Having a minimalist appearance and a sleek design manages to make your home design more attractive and steal the attention. Adding glass accents will also bring natural light into your home. Modern Minimalis Exterior from @minimalmotifs
A minimalist home design that has this shape will give you a charming home look for you to try. Having this asymmetrical shape will produce a minimalist look in your home design. Asymmetrical Minimalist Architecture from @publicedition
Key Characteristic
Minimalist architecture, similar to other facets of minimalist design, aims to eliminate visual clutter and noise by stripping a structure down to its bare essentials. This style concentrates on the fundamental aspects of structure, light, materials, and space. It exalts the intrinsic structural elements of a building, directing attention to its purest form. Ornamental features are largely absent, allowing the structure itself to take center stage.
Change the exterior appearance of your house in the middle of the city with this minimalist exterior design. Having a modern and sophisticated design will make this decoration even more attractive. The combination of natural stone and glass manages to create a stunning exterior. Minimalist Design from @grandhomz
Having a home with glass throughout the exterior creates the illusion that your home is wider and brighter. This glass material will make your home look sleek and modern so it won’t go out of style. Glass House from @trillionaireestates
This minimalist house has two levels that will make a different look. Using white painted concrete and glass will also make for a great look. Modern House Design from @minimalmotifs
This modern contemporary exterior has a unique design that will catch the eye of everyone who sees it. At the front of this house has a sloping building so that it will create a unique appearance and can inspire many people. Modern Contemporary Home from @trillionaireestates
This modern house will also produce a unique building that will steal the eye. The dominance of this two-level building will also provide a charming space design. Made of concrete and glass, it also manages to provide the perfect home contrast. Contemporary Architecture from @publicedition
This concrete and glass manages to give a nice modern home décor. Besides having a sleek appearance, this glass house is also equipped with yellow lighting which will give a dramatic impression to your entire home. Concrete and Glass House from @grandhomz
Despite the absence of ornamentation, minimalist architecture remains visually captivating. It employs simplicity to create a distinctive space. Thoughtfully chosen angles, materials, and lighting are utilized to generate the most significant visual impact with minimal elements. Empty space plays a crucial role in achieving this effect. While in other styles, empty space might appear insignificant, in minimalist architecture, it is purposefully employed to highlight the key architectural elements or their absence.
The color palettes employed in this style harmonize with the concept of using as little as possible. White, gray, black, and serene neutrals like tan are extensively utilized. Simple building materials such as steel, stone, concrete, and glass are preferred. These materials often possess neutral hues that complement minimalist designs while maintaining the building’s core simplicity by excluding unnecessary embellishments.
Throughout the structure, simplified angles and clean lines prevail, often repeated to bestow a sense of orderliness and simplicity upon the entire building. Geometric shapes are commonplace, while curved or intricate lines are eschewed as they would detract from the clean, minimal, and practical nature of minimalist architecture.
Minimalist architecture embraces minimal or no ornamental features, opting instead for the use of simple and fundamental materials like concrete, glass, and stone. Neutral color palettes dominate, creating a subdued and calming atmosphere. Clean lines and geometric shapes prevail, often repeated throughout the design to impart a sense of orderliness and coherence. The focus lies in utilizing the structure, shape, light, and space to achieve the highest visual impact while employing a minimal number of elements.
Even in today’s architectural landscape, minimalist architecture remains vibrant and influential. Its serene and Zen-like ambiance, as well as its clean lines, serve as a wellspring of inspiration for architects worldwide. Since the 1920s, minimalist architecture has exerted a significant influence on architectural trends. Whether structures incorporate a few key minimalist elements or fully embrace a minimalist design, this architectural style continues to make a powerful impact in the realm of popular architecture.
