11. Hi-Tech

High-tech architecture, also known as Structural Expressionism, is a type of Late Modern architectural style that emerged in the 1970s, incorporating elements of high-tech industry and technology into building design. The structure of high-tech architecture has varied somewhat, yet all have accentuated technical elements. They included the prominent display of the building’s technical and functional components, and an orderly arrangement and use of prefabricated elements. Glass walls and steel frames were also immensely popular.

35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - HI-TECH
Hi-Tech

12. Functionalist

In architecture, functionalism is the principle that buildings should be designed based solely on the purpose and function of the building. Functionalism, in terms of aesthetics, is characterized by low levels of ornamentation and extraneous decoration, as well as a prominent display of raw materials. Following the idea that function comes first, the building materials used to make a structure are often left uncovered and undecorated. This means that flat concrete slabs, steel sheets, and even wood beams or floors are left exposed, meant to be viewed exactly as they are.

35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - FUNCTIONALIST1
35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - FUNCTIONALIST2
GENERAL EXAMPLE OF A FUNCTIONALIST HOUSE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

13. Contemporary

Contemporary architecture is a form of construction that embodies the various styles of building designs stemming from a wide range of influences. A contemporary house includes the following:

EXTERIOR: An irregular, asymmetrical façade

  • Strong emphasis on geometric shapes
  • Large windows
  • Clerestory windows
  • Use of recycled building materials
  • Mixed materials on the exterior (e.g. wood and stone)

INTERIOR: One to two stories

  • An open floor plan
  • Lots of natural light
  • Use of natural or recycled materials
  • Green systems for plumbing, heating, and air conditioning
  • A flexible layout suited to meet the family’s needs
35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - CONTEMPORARY1
35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - CONTEMPORARY2
CARUTH BOULEVARD RESIDENCE BY TOMREISENBICHLER

14. New Objectivity

The New Objectivity is a name often given to the Modern architecture that emerged in Europe, primarily German-speaking Europe, in the 1920s and 30s. It is also frequently called Neues Bauen (New Building). The New Objectivity remodeled many German cities in this period. Neues Bauen architecture found solace in the Modernist appreciation for exposed, raw materials like steel, concrete, and glass. These buildings tended to be less grandiose than others and even de-emphasized their sizes and scales.

NEW OBJECTIVITY
House Buchthal in Berlin

15. Neomodern

Neomodern architecture continues modernism as a dominant form of architecture in the 20th and 21st centuries, especially in corporate offices. It tends to be used for certain segments of buildings. Many residential houses tend to embrace postmodern, new classical, and neo-eclectic styles, for instance, and major monuments today most often opt for starchitect inspired uniqueness. Neomodern architecture shares many of the basic characteristics of modernism. Both reject classical ornamentation, decorations, and deliberate ambitions to continue pre-modernist traditions. Neomodernist buildings, like modernist ones, are designed to be largely monolithic and functional.

NEOMODERN
Neo Modern

16. Ranch Style

Ranch (also known as; American ranch, California ranch, rambler, or rancher) is a domestic architectural style originating in the United States. The ranch-style house is noted for its long, close-to-the-ground profile, and wide-open layout. The house style fused modernist ideas and styles with notions of the American Western period of wide-open spaces to create a very informal and casual living style.

  • Exterior finished in stucco, wood, brick, or some combination thereof
  • Low-pitched roof with medium to wide overhanging eaves
  • Side or rear glass doors that slide open to a porch or patio area
  • Attached garage
35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - RANCH STYLE
RANCH STYLE HOUSE WITH MODERN AESTHETICS

17. Prairie

The Prairie style emerged in Chicago around 1900 from the work of a group of young architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright. These architects melded the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, with its emphasis on nature, craftsmanship and simplicity, and the work and writings of architect Louis Sullivan. The style reached its fullest expression in residences, like Wright’s Robie House and George W. Maher’s Pleasant Home, but schools, warehouses, and park buildings were also built in the style. Prairie buildings often include:

  • Strong geometry and massing, including large central chimneys
  • Brick or stucco exteriors
  • Open, asymmetric floor plans
  • Connected indoor and outdoor spaces
  • Interior wood banding
  • Restrained use of applied ornamentation
  • Exploration of motifs: one shape or plant form explored through furniture, wood carving, plaster, art glass, and other elements within a building
 PRAIRIE1
PRAIRIE2
ROBIE HOUSE BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

18.  Minimalist

Minimalist architecture, sometimes referred to as ‘minimalism‘, involves the use of simple design elements, without ornamentation or decoration. Proponents of minimalism believe that condensing the content and form of a design to its bare essentials, reveals the true ‘essence of architecture’.

Minimalist architecture emerged in the 1920s. Architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe theorized that minimalism gave maximum power to architectural space.

Common characteristics of minimalist architecture include:

  • Pure geometric forms.
  • Simple, limited, and plain materials.
  • Neat and straight components.
  • Repetition to give a sense of order and unification.
  • Simple, open spaces.
  • ‘Clean’ lines.
MINIMALIST
WABI HOUSE BY TADAO ANDO, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

19.  Scandinavian

Scandinavian design has been characterized by modernism, simplicity, minimalism, and functionality since the 1950s. It embraces the idea that beautiful and functional homes and everyday objects should be available to everybody.

Scandinavian architecture means

  • Integration with nature
  • Simplicity in design
  • Utilization of natural light
  • Creative use of natural materials
  • Functionality and comfort
SCANDINAVIAN1
 SCANDINAVIAN2
HONKA MARKKI BY ANSSI LASSILA, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

20.  Eclectic

Eclecticism is a nineteenth and twentieth-century architectural style in which a single piece of work incorporates a mixture of elements from previous historical styles to create something that is new and original. In architecture and interior design, these elements may include structural features, furniture, decorative motives, distinct historical ornament, traditional cultural motifs or styles from other countries, with the mixture usually chosen based on its suitability to the project and overall aesthetic value.

 ECLECTIC1
35 Modern House Styles to enhance your Design Literacy - ECLECTIC2
Houston’s ‘neo-eclectic architecture’ borrows architectural details from the past.

1 2 3 4
Author

Chitsimran Kaur relates to what Buckminster Fuller once said, that “Whenever I draw a circle, I immediately want to step out of it.” and therefore is on her inceptive period of learning and exploring architecture.