Architecture
So You Live in a ... Contemporary House
With bold aesthetics and innovative structure, contemporary homes are forward-thinking and visually eye-catching
We can, by definition, refer to any architecture built in the present and recent past as contemporary. However, in practice, “contemporary” currently designates a particular sphere of architecture, often characterised by being visually daring, inventive and progressive. Hailing from the foundations of modernist architecture in the early 20th century, contemporary architecture is similarly designed for modern living.
Contemporary architecture can be seen in the evolutionary and adaptive re-use of old buildings (such as extensions to traditional villas and bungalows) and in buildings that are designed to blend in with the environment, be it through the use of organic materials and forms in a natural environment, or industrial materials and forms in an urban environment. It can also be found in houses displaying the influence of Deconstructivism, in which architects combine disparate and unpredictable forms, lines and colours to create a unique architectural composition.
Aesthetically, contemporary architecture is often characterised by geometric volumes and a sense of monumentality, bold forms and angles, innovative structure and playful colour. As architects and homeowners make use of their creative licence, new and renovated contemporary houses mark our cities, suburbs, coastlines and even our rural regions.
Contemporary Houses at a Glance
Defining period: 1990s to present
Key characteristics: Geometric volumes, bold forms and angles, sense of monumentality, innovative structure, playful colour
Contemporary architecture can be seen in the evolutionary and adaptive re-use of old buildings (such as extensions to traditional villas and bungalows) and in buildings that are designed to blend in with the environment, be it through the use of organic materials and forms in a natural environment, or industrial materials and forms in an urban environment. It can also be found in houses displaying the influence of Deconstructivism, in which architects combine disparate and unpredictable forms, lines and colours to create a unique architectural composition.
Aesthetically, contemporary architecture is often characterised by geometric volumes and a sense of monumentality, bold forms and angles, innovative structure and playful colour. As architects and homeowners make use of their creative licence, new and renovated contemporary houses mark our cities, suburbs, coastlines and even our rural regions.
Contemporary Houses at a Glance
Defining period: 1990s to present
Key characteristics: Geometric volumes, bold forms and angles, sense of monumentality, innovative structure, playful colour
In Melbourne, this heritage-listed Victorian terrace has been renovated for modern living. A large rectangular volume provides a two-storey void over the living/dining area, with a study on the mezzanine level.
On a constrained site, the verticality of this volume brings light, air and a sense of spaciousness into the home, without restricting floor space or introducing unnecessary walls.
On a constrained site, the verticality of this volume brings light, air and a sense of spaciousness into the home, without restricting floor space or introducing unnecessary walls.
Bold forms and strong angles
In association with the geometric volumes, you’ll often find bold forms and strong angles in contemporary houses. Deconstructivism is very much at play behind these characteristics as architects distort shapes and fragment elements of the house to create extra space, interesting aesthetics and functional living.
This fun and well-proportioned house features diagonal protrusions which jut out from the foundation of the house, orientating interior spaces to the local environment and superb views. In different colours and different materials, the projections are eye-catching on their own, and harmonious in unison.
In association with the geometric volumes, you’ll often find bold forms and strong angles in contemporary houses. Deconstructivism is very much at play behind these characteristics as architects distort shapes and fragment elements of the house to create extra space, interesting aesthetics and functional living.
This fun and well-proportioned house features diagonal protrusions which jut out from the foundation of the house, orientating interior spaces to the local environment and superb views. In different colours and different materials, the projections are eye-catching on their own, and harmonious in unison.
In this house, the exterior surface and structure of the white horizontal volume designating a living area is deconstructed –almost torn apart as if the product of an earthquake – to allow for a band of windows. This provides transparency across the main level of the house, takes full advantage of the northern aspect and is simply stunning from the outside looking in.
Sense of monumentality
Tying the previous two characteristics together – clear geometry and bold forms and angles – contemporary houses often project a sense of monumentality. This strength and presence extends from architectural confidence in design, construction and choice of materials.
In Melbourne, this contemporary house draws on the form of a Palladian Villa, a style of architecture which takes its name from the country houses designed by Andrea Palladio in Italy in the 1500s. While this style instantly injects a feeling of monumentality to the overall form of the house, the use of exposed concrete and honed basalt enhances it even more so.
Tying the previous two characteristics together – clear geometry and bold forms and angles – contemporary houses often project a sense of monumentality. This strength and presence extends from architectural confidence in design, construction and choice of materials.
In Melbourne, this contemporary house draws on the form of a Palladian Villa, a style of architecture which takes its name from the country houses designed by Andrea Palladio in Italy in the 1500s. While this style instantly injects a feeling of monumentality to the overall form of the house, the use of exposed concrete and honed basalt enhances it even more so.
This renovation to a traditional inner-city bungalow likewise utilises concrete to establish a monumental exterior. The architect has alternated concrete with glass to achieve well-proportioned design and construction. The effect is a balanced composition of positive and negative space; solid and transparent form; strength and lightness; polish and texture.
Innovative structure
Contemporary architects will often employ innovative structure in response to a difficult site or to maximise a site’s characteristics, to attain sustainability, to harmonise with an older building, to be progressive in design and construction, among other reasons.
Maddison Architects, responsible for designing this contemporary home in Melbourne’s Beaumaris, gave great consideration to the elevated seaside location of the site and its predominantly south-facing 270-degree views of Port Philip Bay. Seeking to work within the principles of ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design), the architects split the building into two elements: a south-facing cantilevered PFC steel frame structure for the living zone and a two-storey north-facing structure for bedrooms. With a circulation zone in-between, the northern sun can penetrate all areas. It’s a seamless integration of architecture and interior design.
Contemporary architects will often employ innovative structure in response to a difficult site or to maximise a site’s characteristics, to attain sustainability, to harmonise with an older building, to be progressive in design and construction, among other reasons.
Maddison Architects, responsible for designing this contemporary home in Melbourne’s Beaumaris, gave great consideration to the elevated seaside location of the site and its predominantly south-facing 270-degree views of Port Philip Bay. Seeking to work within the principles of ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design), the architects split the building into two elements: a south-facing cantilevered PFC steel frame structure for the living zone and a two-storey north-facing structure for bedrooms. With a circulation zone in-between, the northern sun can penetrate all areas. It’s a seamless integration of architecture and interior design.
A modest, one-storey weatherboard cottage previously resided on this site. With space to use, this contemporary renovation was built to accommodate a growing family.
In a clever use of structure that combines the existing form of the traditional weatherboard cottage with the contemporary extension, the old and the new are delineated by form, function and tonal contrast. The one-level cottage is monotonic white and its smaller rooms are fittingly used for bedrooms and utility spaces. The two-level contemporary addition is in tones of charcoal and the open, flowing space is for easy, interconnected living. A transitional covered area blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
In a clever use of structure that combines the existing form of the traditional weatherboard cottage with the contemporary extension, the old and the new are delineated by form, function and tonal contrast. The one-level cottage is monotonic white and its smaller rooms are fittingly used for bedrooms and utility spaces. The two-level contemporary addition is in tones of charcoal and the open, flowing space is for easy, interconnected living. A transitional covered area blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
Playful colour
Calling on the bright colours of postmodern design from the late 1970s and early 1980s, contemporary architecture is visually fun and playful with the injection of pops of colour.
In this rear renovation to an otherwise traditional home, colour accents the bold lines and sharp angles of the house. The pink panels are as much of a visual surprise as the irregularly shaped windows.
Calling on the bright colours of postmodern design from the late 1970s and early 1980s, contemporary architecture is visually fun and playful with the injection of pops of colour.
In this rear renovation to an otherwise traditional home, colour accents the bold lines and sharp angles of the house. The pink panels are as much of a visual surprise as the irregularly shaped windows.
An extensive restoration, alteration and addition to this existing Victorian heritage house has produced a contemporary house for environmentally-aware living. The architect/homeowner salvaged many materials from the original dwelling as well as used recycled, recyclable, plantation-grown timber and non-toxic materials.
In a suitably industrial style for its inner-city location, the interior and exterior is punctuated with bright colour – green, orange, black, grey, yellow, blue and red – the architect/homeowner using colour psychology and inspiration from the Australian bush to inform his colour choices.
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In a suitably industrial style for its inner-city location, the interior and exterior is punctuated with bright colour – green, orange, black, grey, yellow, blue and red – the architect/homeowner using colour psychology and inspiration from the Australian bush to inform his colour choices.
See more of this house
MORE
Iconic Homes That Showcase Modern Architecture
Cream of the Crop: The 20 National Architecture Awards
So Your Style Is…Contemporary
Contemporary architects often make use of geometric volumes in varying shapes and forms for a multitude of reasons. This may be to designate the different functions of the home, for example, sleeping quarters or entertaining areas. It may also be to maximise space on a small site and to connect the house with the environment while taking advantage of natural light, ventilation and views of the landscape, among many other reasons.
This striking Canberra house uses strong geometric forms for all these reasons. Built in the place of an older home on a challenging diagonally-sloped site, Adam Dettrick Architects has used clever split-level design to most effectively utilise the property. Disparate volumes split the house into distinct areas – sleeping and living zones – linked by a central hallway. The living areas open to the north at the rear, and the south-east at the front to catch seasonal sun and beautiful views.
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