Minimalist architecture simply put involves the use of simple design elements, with little or no ornamentation or decoration. Advocates of minimalism believes that cutting down the content and form of a design to its bare essentials, gives away its true "essentials of architecture".
Some architectural icons such as Philip Johnson, Walter Gropious and Le Corbusier challenged how the world was designing in the 20th century . But Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, a famous German-American, known as the pioneer of modern and minimalist architecture theorizes the concept "Less is more". Mies as he was known, strived for simplicity, clarity and functionality in his post war I architectural design. Buildings, furniture and teaching became his tools as he and others stripped away the ornaments of architecture.
Barcelona pavilion. Mies Van Der Rohe. Image source: UE4 architecture
“The goal of a minimalist architecture is to make something great out of only what is necessary.”
Common characteristics of minimalist design includes
Pure geometric forms
using simple materials like steel, concrete, glass, stones
little to no trim of ornamentation
clean lines
open plan space
repetition to give sense or order and unification
More pictures of the Barcelona pavilion. image source:
The birth of minimalist design can be traced to the cubism of De Stijl and Bauhaus of the 1920's. Mie, also mentioned that minimalism gave maximum power to the architectural space. The design concept may not be for everyone, and that okay! it could be perceived as cold at first glance due to an inclined expectation of what a residential architecture should look like. but when done right, it could be welcoming and inviting.
Farnsworth house. Mies Van Der Rohe. image source: archive.at.ge
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