Rounded Architecture: There's No Cutting Corners Here
A simple curve or fluid line can change the look and feel of your house, inside and out
Rebecca Gross
20 September 2014
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Strong lines and box-like forms currently dominate our contemporary residential architecture. But, in many cases, it takes just one flowing line or ingenious curve to soften or spice up the look of a house’s exterior. And on the inside, rounded lines create interesting spaces to play with for lighting and room arrangement.
Here is a selection of contemporary houses and renovations that think outside the square by incorporating simple rounded architectural elements. Could you bend it like Beckham, too?
Here is a selection of contemporary houses and renovations that think outside the square by incorporating simple rounded architectural elements. Could you bend it like Beckham, too?
An update to an 1890s cottage
Corrugated iron establishes the curve in this extension to a South Australian bluestone cottage. The original house has been extended to provide more space for the family, and the renovation combines sharp angles with this subtle curve. The graceful curve is visually enhanced as the corrugated iron accentuates light, shadows and reflection.
Corrugated iron establishes the curve in this extension to a South Australian bluestone cottage. The original house has been extended to provide more space for the family, and the renovation combines sharp angles with this subtle curve. The graceful curve is visually enhanced as the corrugated iron accentuates light, shadows and reflection.
Inside, a rounded corner is a soft contrast to a room full of geometric pattern, strong lines, bold colours, and graphic prints.
An extension to an Edwardian cottage
Brick and steel are fused together in this rear addition to a historic villa, and become united through their shared characteristic – rounded corners. The architect introduced the curves to create more dynamic, fluid forms, while also making reference to the bull-nosed corrugated-iron verandah roofing of the typical Edwardian home.
Take a tour of this home
Brick and steel are fused together in this rear addition to a historic villa, and become united through their shared characteristic – rounded corners. The architect introduced the curves to create more dynamic, fluid forms, while also making reference to the bull-nosed corrugated-iron verandah roofing of the typical Edwardian home.
Take a tour of this home
Inside, the curved profile of the roof line – forming the ceiling of the top-floor master bedroom – gives a spacious and modern ambience with the ability to capture extra sunlight via an arched clerestory window.
A renovation of an inner-city terrace
The back of this Sydney terrace has been designed for the sun. Working with a series of box-like forms, the architects added smooth curves around the ground floor sunroom and upstairs balcony. These elegant lines soften the look of the terrace and create a style reminiscent of the streamlined Art Deco aesthetic of the 1920s and 1930s.
The back of this Sydney terrace has been designed for the sun. Working with a series of box-like forms, the architects added smooth curves around the ground floor sunroom and upstairs balcony. These elegant lines soften the look of the terrace and create a style reminiscent of the streamlined Art Deco aesthetic of the 1920s and 1930s.
An addition to a historic brick villa
Strong shapes and clear lines combine in this renovation of an Edwardian cottage. A large curve swoops around the edge of the living area and contrasts with the defined horizontal and vertical patterning of the interior and exterior brick wall. A series of concrete slabs fan out from the curved margin to form the outdoor paving area, and a circular patch of grass is accented with a band of terracotta cobblestones.
Strong shapes and clear lines combine in this renovation of an Edwardian cottage. A large curve swoops around the edge of the living area and contrasts with the defined horizontal and vertical patterning of the interior and exterior brick wall. A series of concrete slabs fan out from the curved margin to form the outdoor paving area, and a circular patch of grass is accented with a band of terracotta cobblestones.
A modern bush house
The arched roof on this rural home creates a silhouette that mimics the rolling landscape and softens the barnyard-like structure of the home. Arched roofs have the added benefit of being self-supporting, and even load-bearing. Plus they offer excellent resistance to water and strong winds.
The arched roof on this rural home creates a silhouette that mimics the rolling landscape and softens the barnyard-like structure of the home. Arched roofs have the added benefit of being self-supporting, and even load-bearing. Plus they offer excellent resistance to water and strong winds.
A modernist composition
Elemental shapes, large windows and white stucco walls are a striking combination in this Western Australian house. One simple, circular form sits top and centre, breaking the geometric lines and forms of the rest of the home and providing its occupants with panoramic views out.
Elemental shapes, large windows and white stucco walls are a striking combination in this Western Australian house. One simple, circular form sits top and centre, breaking the geometric lines and forms of the rest of the home and providing its occupants with panoramic views out.
A contemporary waterfront property
A coned copper form adds visual intrigue to this house, which is, otherwise very square and box-like. It snakes along a podium and landscaped roof, accommodating an office and opening to spectacular views of the harbour.
A coned copper form adds visual intrigue to this house, which is, otherwise very square and box-like. It snakes along a podium and landscaped roof, accommodating an office and opening to spectacular views of the harbour.
A cantilevered seaside house
One curved and fluid wall softens the strong lines of this dynamic house. It’s simple, subtle and effective, rendered in the same alabaster masonry as the bulk of the house.
One curved and fluid wall softens the strong lines of this dynamic house. It’s simple, subtle and effective, rendered in the same alabaster masonry as the bulk of the house.
A multi-level cliffside house
Four levels of balconies and terraces are stacked on top of each other in this ‘scissoring’ design that takes inspiration from the natural rock ledges found on Sydney’s coast. The rounded corners add grace and elegance to the composition, blending the monumentality of the house with its local environment.
MORE
How to Get Curves in All the Right Places
Jump Onboard and Ride the Wave of Corrugated Iron
Houzz Tour: Chic Revamp for Manly Penthouse Just Right for Retirement
Four levels of balconies and terraces are stacked on top of each other in this ‘scissoring’ design that takes inspiration from the natural rock ledges found on Sydney’s coast. The rounded corners add grace and elegance to the composition, blending the monumentality of the house with its local environment.
MORE
How to Get Curves in All the Right Places
Jump Onboard and Ride the Wave of Corrugated Iron
Houzz Tour: Chic Revamp for Manly Penthouse Just Right for Retirement
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Some beautiful photos. I love incorporating organic shapes into my designs. Around here (not a big city, not much contemporary) it's a challenge no matter how good the design/drawings, working with contractors to bring the vision to life. But it's worth it for us and our clients, and maybe educating some folks along the way ;-)
Attached - a Kickstarter proposal I'm working on - affordable round. It's been challenging to find people to work on the
rendering and structural modeling in a manner sympathetic to the design
concept (efficient, minimalist, high-performance, maintenance-free).