Modern vs. Contemporary Architecture
The terms “Modern” and “Contemporary” are often used interchangeably by home owners and designers alike when describing residential Architecture. In fact, Modern and Contemporary design have significant historic and methodological differences. The primary confusion lies in the fact that the characteristics and elements of modern design are integral part of current contemporary design trends.
Modern style describes an era-specific design style that breaks with those pre-Industrial Revolution traditional styles. Modern design is connected to the age of mechanization and is typically referred to Architecture of the 1920s-1950s, characterized by structures of steel and concrete, large expanses of glass, minimal exterior expression, open floor plans and an absence of ornament.
Contemporary is not limited to a single stylistic thread. It is dynamic, meaning it is constantly changing and it is not tied down to one specific style – it’s of the moment and borrows bits and pieces from a variety of styles and eras. Therefore, Contemporary architecture and style is, literally, what is being created and produced right now.
Below are key features of Modern and Contemporary Design:
Modern
Began at turn of 20th Century
Minimalist Industrial materials such as steel and concrete
Intentional asymmetry, simplified form
Open floor plan
Architecture is an object in the landscape
Large expanses of glass
Minimal exterior expression
Absence of ornament, machine aesthetic
Contemporary
Present Day
Variety of materials and finishes, integration of local, renewable and natural materials
Intentional asymmetry
Both open and complex plans
Strong relationship to the landscape
Large expanses of glass
Expressive exteriors including variation in shapes and relationships between elements
Ornamentation is present but minimal, and primarily expressive of structural systems and connections between elements
One should note that current Contemporary trends focus on Sustainable design and use of renewable materials. Also, Contemporary architecture may vary regionally, an example being Northwest Contemporary, characterized by exposed timber structure, articulated gables and natural color palettes.
