![]() ![]() Softer colors prevail, designing with “Hygge” (comfort) in mind, environmental efficiency – building with the environment in mind – is huge, and light and contrasting patterns break up some of the harsher angular elements. Scandinavian Minimalism also joined the design conversation as a way to soften some of the harder aspects of Zen-inspired Minimalism. If a busy space creates a busy mind, it is easy to see how a clean and simple space creates a clutter-free life. Tranquility is encouraged by the aesthetics of simplicity. This is a meditative state brought to life by the principles of design. Minimalist design is grounded by a third principle, “seijaku”, or stillness. This requires large, open spaces to force the contemplation of stillness and the simplicity of the remaining, essential forms. Another key foundation to Minimalism is the Japanese principle of, “ma”, or emptiness. Finding intrinsic value in forms of nature that we, as a society, take for granted is known as, “wabi-sabi” and fundamental to Minimalism. The basic premise of Japanese aesthetic principles strives to find beauty in the natural state of objects – without decorative purpose, just as they are in their state of being. This Zen aesthetic started to reign in the ostentatiousness of western architecture as early as the 18th century and its influence slowly crept into the mainstream, subtly changing its direction by finding value in empty space: not everything needed to be decorated. Modern Courtyard with infinity edge pool – Tulsa, OK The result was a reflection of this desired Zen in their personal lives as well as their homes and gardens. This simplicity was a way for the spirit to achieve inner freedom and calm. What many do not realize that previous to the influence of the Cubists, was the influence of the traditional simplicity of the Japanese aesthetic and its accompanying Zen philosophy. The next step, taken by Mies, was to take the lead from the angular lines of Cubism to the premise minimalism optimized the power of architectural space. Previous to the groundbreaking work completed by Mies, minimalist architecture rose from the Cubism of De Stijl and Bauhaus in the 1920s. Condensing the content and form of an object to its most basic level reveals that which is truly essential to the nature of architecture. Simple design elements, without ornamentation or decoration, are a huge part of minimalism. The stylish lines on cars are designed by wind drag coefficient and minimalist product designers. The designers of your smartphone understood this to keep you engaged. But done right, minimalism can be welcoming and inviting. New construction of minimalistic design probably isn’t it. There is often have a predisposed expectation of what homes and residential architecture should look like. ![]() Minimalistic Architecture may not be for everyone – and that’s okay! Sometimes it can be perceived as cold at first glance. Mies van der Rohe’s 1929 German Pavilion, Exposicio Internacional, Barcelona, Spain However, the influence of minimalism is found in everything from the phone in your pocket to automotive design. Modern residential architecture frequently skew away from pure minimalism and toward a compromise of modern and traditional, known as a ‘Transitional’ style. ![]() Mies and his work were one of the first truly designed under the ethos of “less is more”. Repetition to give order and unify elements.Spaces only defined by planar building elements or furniture.‘Structural Honesty’ or exposing structural systems.Using simple materials like steel, concrete, stone or glass.You can start to identify minimalist design by noticing the integration of the following elements: You can see the progression of Mies’ work as he honed the craft of utilizing austere materials to design delicate and beautiful spaces. Going as far as declaring, “Ornament is a crime.” The goal of minimalistic architecture is to make something great out of only what is necessary. Buildings, furniture and teaching became his tools as he and others stripped away the ornament of architecture – all of it. Mies, as he was known, strived for simplicity and clarity in his post-World War I architectural designs. But, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a German-American pioneer of modern and minimalist architecture said it best, “Less is More”. Architectural icons like Walter Gropius, Phillip Johnson, and Le Corbusier tirelessly challenged the way the world was designing in the 20th Century. ![]()
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