Architecture
So You Live in a ... Box-Style House
Dominating and statement-making, the geometric contemporary architecture of a box-style house definitely gets noticed
The box-style house is not technically a style of architecture, but it is increasingly common in contemporary housing today. It draws on the modern, geometric forms of the International Style of the early 20th century, with large blocks or cube-shaped volumes stacked, intersecting or arranged to form residences. In combination with contrasting colours and bold materials, box-style houses are visually exciting and dynamic.
In the 1920s and 1930s progressive architects in Europe – and later in America – embraced the ‘box’ as the foundation of architectural form. These modern designers sought to create an architecture for the modern age – it would become known as the International Style. Driven by the ethos of ‘form follows function’, architects abandoned tradition, did away with superfluous ornament and stripped architecture to its barest bones. Working with this purity of form, buildings were designed from series of geometric boxes making use of industrial materials and modern technology. Today, International Style and contemporary architecture meet in what may be termed here as box-style architecture.
Box-style Houses at a Glance
Defining period: Recent decades
Key characteristics: Large rectangular and cubic volumes, elevated forms, bold and defined edges, sharp angles, horizontal or vertical emphasis
In the 1920s and 1930s progressive architects in Europe – and later in America – embraced the ‘box’ as the foundation of architectural form. These modern designers sought to create an architecture for the modern age – it would become known as the International Style. Driven by the ethos of ‘form follows function’, architects abandoned tradition, did away with superfluous ornament and stripped architecture to its barest bones. Working with this purity of form, buildings were designed from series of geometric boxes making use of industrial materials and modern technology. Today, International Style and contemporary architecture meet in what may be termed here as box-style architecture.
Box-style Houses at a Glance
Defining period: Recent decades
Key characteristics: Large rectangular and cubic volumes, elevated forms, bold and defined edges, sharp angles, horizontal or vertical emphasis
FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF BOX-STYLE ARCHITECTURE
1. Large rectangular and cubic volumes
In Melbourne, this stark white rectangular volume is a minimalist statement all its own. It floats above the lower level, defined by its contrast against the grey stone below and blue sky above. A rectangular cut-out brings a visual interest from the exterior of the house and allows for a private balcony for the residents on the interior of the house.
1. Large rectangular and cubic volumes
In Melbourne, this stark white rectangular volume is a minimalist statement all its own. It floats above the lower level, defined by its contrast against the grey stone below and blue sky above. A rectangular cut-out brings a visual interest from the exterior of the house and allows for a private balcony for the residents on the interior of the house.
2. Elevated forms
One rectangular box floats above the other in this Sydney home. Visually connected and disconnected from each other at the same time, the dark-painted timber upper level is supported on slim steel flats. Meanwhile, the lower living space forms the foundation of the house, yet with the glass doors open to the lawn and swimming pool, the box almost disappears.
Step inside this home
One rectangular box floats above the other in this Sydney home. Visually connected and disconnected from each other at the same time, the dark-painted timber upper level is supported on slim steel flats. Meanwhile, the lower living space forms the foundation of the house, yet with the glass doors open to the lawn and swimming pool, the box almost disappears.
Step inside this home
Three rectangular forms are stacked on top of each other here, each defined by colour and material: a rich wooden garage door, a white volume and a dark grey volume with vertical texture.
On the second and third levels, expansive glass panes are inset from the edge of the box volumes, allowing for both light and shade – ideal for beachside living.
On the second and third levels, expansive glass panes are inset from the edge of the box volumes, allowing for both light and shade – ideal for beachside living.
3. Bold and defined edges
Copper brings a big ‘wow’ factor to this otherwise minimalist box-style house and harmonises with the warm yellow lighting. Rendered in white, the house comprises square and rectangular volumes arranged to create a convenient way of living.
Copper brings a big ‘wow’ factor to this otherwise minimalist box-style house and harmonises with the warm yellow lighting. Rendered in white, the house comprises square and rectangular volumes arranged to create a convenient way of living.
In Fremantle, this house is defined by its bold lines and pop of colour. Rectangular forms can be seen in nearly every element of the facade: dark grey outlines the upper level; bright orange is splashed across the middle; stacked rectangles divide the garage door; and light-coloured bricks stand out against darker bricks at the entrance way.
4. Vertical and horizontal lines
The use of lines to draw attention to form is beautifully achieved in this Melbourne house nestled within its local environment. Two intersecting volumes are enhanced by the direction of the timber slats: vertical slats on the vertical box heighten its form, while horizontal slats on the horizontal volume elongate its form.
The use of lines to draw attention to form is beautifully achieved in this Melbourne house nestled within its local environment. Two intersecting volumes are enhanced by the direction of the timber slats: vertical slats on the vertical box heighten its form, while horizontal slats on the horizontal volume elongate its form.
Here, an extension to an existing house makes use of geometric form. A clean, modern ‘box’ is cantilevered over the existing house adding bedrooms and bathrooms. Inside, angled shutters create a light, spacious and private master bedroom. Outside, the shutters accent the verticality of the house and bring a decorative touch that is still in keeping with the modern style.
5. Sharp angles
Form follows function in this box-style house, as the walls and roof of the cubic volumes extend beyond the living areas at each end of the house. Using sharp diagonal angles, this shelters a portion of the outdoor area and provides privacy for residents.
Form follows function in this box-style house, as the walls and roof of the cubic volumes extend beyond the living areas at each end of the house. Using sharp diagonal angles, this shelters a portion of the outdoor area and provides privacy for residents.
Here, a flat-roofed concrete box sits atop a brick volume with a sharply angled roof. The contrast in colour, materials and shapes is bold and dynamic.
KNOW YOUR HOUZZ: 5 quick ways to identify a box-style house
1. Elevated volumes
2. Square and rectangular forms
3. Bold and defined edges
4. Sharp angles
5. Horizontal and vertical emphasis
MORE
Iconic Homes That Showcase Modern Architecture
Cream of the Crop: The 2014 National Architecture Awards
Roots of Style: How did Your Australian Home Gets Its Look?
KNOW YOUR HOUZZ: 5 quick ways to identify a box-style house
1. Elevated volumes
2. Square and rectangular forms
3. Bold and defined edges
4. Sharp angles
5. Horizontal and vertical emphasis
MORE
Iconic Homes That Showcase Modern Architecture
Cream of the Crop: The 2014 National Architecture Awards
Roots of Style: How did Your Australian Home Gets Its Look?
Harry Seidler’s mid-century masterpiece Rose Seidler House (1950) was the beginning of boxy housing in Australia. Seidler’s radical house debunked the traditional standards of residential design – think Federation and California Bungalows – and combined art, architecture and technology in a vision for a new way of living.
Seidler elevated a large rectangular volume above the ground. His use of windows accented the volume’s well-defined edges and comprised small integrated rectangular forms, and his entrance way played on sharp angles. These characteristics would be seen in modern Australian architecture throughout the following decades, but have come to the forefront in contemporary architecture in recent decades.