What is modern architecture and how does it differ from traditional architecture? Before we can say we favour one over the other, we need to define what we mean. Traditional can mean anything from centuries old to what our parents regarded as normal, whereas modern is usually taken to mean sleek lines and a minimalist style.
There was a time in the 1960s and 70s when the drive towards simplicity resulted in some very bland, utilitarian building styles that may have been fashionable for a very short time but soon became candidates for demolition along with the very things they were meant to replace.
Modern Australian architecture on the other hand, often uses materials not usually associated with charm and stylishness but gives them a twist. Concrete and glass, for instance, have had to earn their stripes in the architecture world because they don’t have the inherent beauty of stone and particularly timber, that blessed material that is welcomed and admired almost universally.
It is also, it must be said, loved by termites, but that is another story. Those tiny vandals are not attracted to glass or concrete because they can’t eat them, so these modern structures are functional as well as stylish.
Why Build a Traditional House Today?
Old properties can look great and make us feel good because they bring back memories of the simpler times of childhood. In those days we were not the ones who had to pay utility bills and get the roof fixed.
Modern technology and new materials can enable us to build something in a timeless classic style that doesn’t have traditional problems such as draughts and leaks. If we want dormer windows that go up and down in the sash style but don’t rely on anything as crude as a rope sash, we can have them. Double glazed, smoothly operating and thermally efficient, they work like today while looking like yesterday. The appliance of science, as someone once put it, can help things perform better while retaining a certain charm. We can be stylish and ecologically aware while saving money on bills, which has to be a win-win situation. A triple-win, in fact.
How Modern Architecture Brings us Closer to the Great Outdoors
An important aspect of modern Australian architecture looks at combining the comfort of the house with the natural feeling of the garden. With the climate across most of the country making it possible to enjoy the garden or yard all year round, houses are often built with big windows and glass doors that open onto a barbecue or lounge area, so we can luxuriate by the pool or breeze in and out with food and drinks. It is the Australian way of relaxing, and all it requires as an extra thing to think about is what’s under our feet: some wooden decking is a popular choice.
Indoors we need to consider ventilation and shade, while the modern desire for elbow room often means open-plan areas. While our ancestors – and their cousins across the world – tended to create boxes within boxes, it was because that’s all they knew. They didn’t have access to style magazines and specialists such as green architects and interior designers. Get a roof over your head and keep the predators out – that was the thrust of their thinking.
Getting the Best of Both Worlds
If you want style and comfort, it is now possible to put your own interpretation on both terms. A bit of old world with a real contemporary residential building design: it’s all possible. At BY Projects Architecture, we’re ready to help you no matter your style preferences. Claim your free consultation here to get started.
