Distinct features of contemporary architecture in the modern world

In today’s design and construction world, contemporary architecture has taken the trend by storm. Modern architects have given us some marvelous contemporary pieces that have become the talk of the town, like the Vessel by Heatherwick Studio in New York City and The Shard in London are simply gorgeous. These designs clearly reflect the ideology of contemporary architects which is to design buildings differently from what has become the standard practice and break away from the processes of the past. However, one common misconception about contemporary architecture is that people perceive it to be only relevant for new skyscrapers or corporate offices, but in the current times, contemporary designs are popular in the construction of single-unit houses, mansions, and residential apartment buildings as well. So if you’re thinking of building your home with a convention design or remodeling your property with a modern vibe, it’s a great idea to inspiration from the unbound flexibility that contemporary architecture has to offer. To give you a better insight into this style of contrition, here is a list of distinct features as identified by the top architects of Lahore:

1. Enhanced sustainability

Being eco-friendly, saving energy, and showing responsibility toward our planet is the major concern of this century. People are not just aware of the importance of sustainability but they are also making changes in their habits to promote the trend. One of the key features of contemporary architecture is its sustainable designs with their main focus on ensuring energy efficiency. Some of the prominent structures that help them reduce energy costs include adopting a passive solar design. In this design, the roof overhangs and windows are placed in such a manner that they receive minimum heat from the sun, keeping the interior cooler. Another such feature is the incorporation of sustainable landscaping which promotes plantations around the home and on the rooftops, in a manner that provides shade from the sun and is a source of coolness for both the interiors and exteriors during the harsh summers. Adding cool roofs made up of reflective materials, installing double gazed energy-efficient windows, and using solar panels are also some commonly used features in architectural designs to promote sustainability.

2. Using more curved lines

As we have discussed earlier, contemporary architecture is all about exploring new possibilities and breaking away from the traditional construction norms. These designs are no longer restrained by the use the commanding straight lines to build their structures rather there are a lot of other possibilities tried and tested by these modern architects. Curved lines are popular in contemporary designs. Sometimes the whole building is completely designed using only the geometrical features of the curved lines. In other instances, a combination of straight and curved lines is also used to build modern designs. Round lines have been used to produce architectural pieces that are not just aesthetically pleasing but functional as well.

3. Unconventional Building Materials

When presenting a modern design that is ready to break the traditional styles and manners of construction, you need to be very specific about the material you use. The choice of material is very important because it depends on the material if the design can be turned into a reality or not. For example building structures like the Walt Disney Concert Hall in the US or Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the material has to be selected under a proper rationale to provide the required support and flexibility to the design. The materials commonly used in such structures include glass, aluminum, steel, concrete, bamboo, and reclaimed wood. These materials are have been successfully used to build strong, open, transparent, and modern contemporary buildings.

4. Lofty windows

Lofty windows have always been a favorite trend amongst modern architects because they support openness in spaces which is a defining characteristic of contemporary architecture. Big windows that sometimes extend from floor to the ceiling, with clear glass, showcase unmatchable luxury and serenity along with giving the house an extremely modern look. They serve as the best sources to let in natural light and connect the building with the world outside, be it the window of an apartment that opens up on top of the whole city in a residential apartment building or a window that connects the interior of the house to the green garden outside, lofty open windows add style to the contemporary design. Previously, the traditional Victorian windows and the casement windows were a trend that remained unchanged for a stretched period of time. Be it houses, offices, or corporate centers there was no prominent variation in the window styles. With the increased liking for the trend of contemporary structures, lofty windows have become popular amongst clients. Capitalizing on this trend Architectural Design firms in Pakistan are not just stopping with lofty windows for the walls, they are actively indulging in installing skylights to bring a bright, airy vibe through the roof of the building as well.

5. Off the latch interior

Another element that is common in almost all contemporary designs is their cavernous interiors. This construction style supports bright and wide spaces without being bound by the definition of walls i.e. simple open rooms moving from one to the other. There are no, long corridors, multiple division walls, or in-house pathways to rooms, instead, a contemporary structure would have larger spaces with subtle features such as a curved wall or a little two steps down elevation into a differently shaped room, to designate different areas. Top architects in Lahore also use glass in their contemporary designs to enhance the extensive look of the house, using it to merge the border between rooms and also to draw a prominent line between the indoors and outdoors. Architects use glass doors and sometimes turn the whole wall into a glass window which is not just modern but aesthetically pleasing as well.

Contemporary architecture is all about experimenting with designs, and material, exploring new feasible options of construction, and giving them a try, for the world to see their individuality.