Contemporary
architecture is the modern architecture of today. No single style dominates;
contemporary architects are operating in many different styles, ranging from
high-tech and minimalist architecture to highly expressive and conceptual forms
and structures, resembling art on a large scale. The term comes from the fact
that traditional architecture was not built against contemporary society. The
goal of the contemporary architect is to work to make their buildings and
projects reflect what is going on in the real world today.
One of the most
important features of contemporary architecture is an emphasis on natural
lighting. In traditional architecture, the focus was on maximizing space in the
hope of maximizing the amount of illumination it could bring into a space.
Modern architecture has a greater emphasis on maximizing natural light. The use
of skylights and windows is becoming common practice in both residential and
commercial buildings, which in itself is a major change from the older styles.
Modern architects have also begun using materials and techniques to increase
their ability to absorb natural light, including the use of highly reflective
surfaces.
A key feature of
traditional architecture was a focus on functionalism. The traditional
architect often tried to design their structures to withstand the pressures of
time and the natural forces of nature. Modern architects take a more holistic
approach, trying to design structures which can be as functional as possible
without compromising the beauty of their surroundings or the comfort of their
occupants.
Another characteristic
of modern architecture is the use of materials that allow people to "see
through" the building or structure. For example, a metal building is less
obtrusively made with solid walls. However, a glass building does not need to
be completely opaque in order to create an illusion of solidity. Many
contemporary buildings also have multiple levels of windows and are decorated
with art, sculptures, and other decorative features. These structures are
intentionally constructed with a view to allowing people to see the outside,
even though they are inside the building. This is an essential element of
modern architecture.
A third characteristic
of contemporary architecture is an emphasis on flexibility and the ability to
adapt to changing demands in the market place. A classic building or structure
would have been built to withstand the demands of times gone by, when markets
were more stable and the cost of construction materials was minimal. Modern
architects have been able to leverage this flexibility to create highly
functional structures which can change with changing times. {and the market. A
classic building may have been built in the 1930s or a structure built in the
1960s, depending on which era was being considered. Modern architects were able
to make use of the knowledge of science to their advantage, in order to reduce
energy costs, reduce the amount of material used, or the need for the use of
many materials, and to create more efficient means of transport. All these
developments led to a shift in the focus of contemporary architecture away from
staid, predictable structures and towards more dynamic forms. The result is an
architecture that is both more functional and more aesthetically interesting.
Today, we see many
buildings with both a functional and aesthetically interesting interior. This
is one of the great advantages of contemporary architecture. Its goal is to
provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment for as many people
as possible.
