Vol. 1 No. 9, 67-80, Dissertation, December 2019, School of Architecture, KLETU
Minimalism in Architecture - Impact on Modern Architecture
Mahima Raykar
Student, School of Architecture, KLE Tech University Email: raykarmahi134@gmail.com
Under the Guidance of: Prof.Gitanjali Rao
Mahima Raykar
Minimalism in Architecture
ABSTRACT Before the Industrial revolution the deprivation of materials and technical flaws made traditional architecture more simple . One of the main inspiration was of Traditional Japanese architecture which is known for the emphasis of simplicity. Simplification in terms of expression and planning makes traditional Japanese architecture the foundation on which minimalism is based upon. Minimalism in architecture is a typical example of 21 st-century architecture . The basic concepts of modern day architecture can be valued and implemented only when the principles of these architects are learned . It was the basis of many designs especially in Europe after World War II. It uses the sensibility in search of the essence . Minimalism is often called as architecture of logical thinking . The expression of this architecture is bold and meaningful , in a certain way the whole modernist style , contains an image of deceptive simplicity . The other foundation of minimalism is through that of modern architecture . Which was the first movement after decades of architecture with ornamentation . The awareness of modernist principles , elements and techniques hold the language of minimalism . The paper will focus on the origin , the theory and principles of minimalism , the most significant works recorded of famous architects . Also seeing upon the analysis on basis of which minimalism evolved and the impact it has on the present context.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES  
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The aim is to learn the origin and need for Minimalism in architecture. To learn the principles and basics of modernist pioneers of architecture and to learn the impact of minimalism on today’s world.
Mahima Raykar
Minimalism in Architecture
WHAT IS MINIMALISM ? Minimalistic Architecture is the use of simple design elements without ornamentation or decoration. It can also be defined as a simple language of architecture because of its logical thinking . It is an older , richer and broader tradition than that of the modernist style . The central theme is to arrive at the most basic concept of space and mass . Minimalism has become popular these days according to the lifestyle of people and design philosophy. It is frequently considered as the nature of the super-rich. The attitude being –That the peron can have anything he would want to but chose the simple and elegant lifestyle .Though it is devoid of pointless decorations and ornamentation it is yet expensive .
MINIMALISTIC ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE Minimalism is also known as – The Language of Silence. Language acts as a metaphor that doesn’t give an exact scenario such as – Fonts , Ratios and Number . The quality of a space is expressed through a formed expression , that tends to be the architecture of simplicity . It reveals a harmony of simplicity of life itself . Not only is this kind of architecture straightforward in its form and the function , it is also devoid of pointless ornamentation, yet very expensive . Minimalists resolve to live with only the essentials , shunning anything that deem non – essential . Minimalism has become popular these days according to the lifestyle of people and the design philosophy.
THE ORIGIN Minimalism is a 1960’s and 1970’s invention . De-stijl and traditional Japanese design could be considered as the foundation or as the predecessors of minimalism , De Stijl [ Dutch for “ the style “] was also known as neo plasticism was an artistic movement in Netherlands . It began in 1917 and faded around the year 1931. The founder of the De stijl movement , Theo van Doesburg died in 1931 and this marked as the end of the movement . The major principles that were being advocated by De-Stijl movement are simplified visual composition to the vertical and horizontal directions and the use of only primary colours , together with black and white .Post World war I , the foundations laid by De stijl were further implemented by architect Mies van der rohe . He coined the famous phrase of “ Less is more “ . A similar phrase was conveyed by industrial designer Dieter ram’s principle “ Less but better “. The minimalism movement was never inspired by poverty or any social complications . The other foundation of minimalism probably the oldest inspiration of minimalism is The Japanese architecture . Japanese architecture also focuses on integrating the planning with nature . Japanese architecture is always a synonym for sleek , minimalist and expressive design . This is inspired by the Japanese ‘ Zen’ that gives an insight to emptiness of existence . Zen associated itself with nature , spreading harmony into the space devoid of any additional elements .
ELEMENTS OF MINIMALIST DESIGN
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Minimalism in Architecture
1. Shapes – The principles of minimalist design focuses on the simple designing and to achieve the maximum surface area . That being stated one of the assured ways to achieve this is by the implementation of basic geometric shapes , such as square, rectangle, circle etc. 2. Colour – As an architect or an interior designer or any creative field in general , the role of colours is very important . Colours help in distinguishing the physical form to its intangible identity . Colours in minimalism are dominated with a colour palette of white, grey and black . Usually not more than 2 colours are used and keeping the overall subtle is the aim . 3. Walls –Since minimalism focuses on the expression . The walls act as a mode of physical expression . The design and positioning of walls helps in expressing these values . Most walls are in white because it ties in with the neutral palette easily . Even neutral shades can be implemented as long as it doesn’t over-power the space and make it feel enclosed . 4. Lighting – The lighting of a particular space affects the overall space and the essence of the space . Lighting in these designs are mostly focused on making the space look airy and light . The spaces are not only expressed through artificial lighting , in-fact artificial lighting is rarely used . It is more about bringing the day light into the space , ways and techniques by which the space would look more open and welcoming . 5. Furniture –Though furniture is considered as an additional element in basic design conduct , the idea of furniture completely changes in minimalist design . Furniture gives the interior its very own identity . In this the colour , shape, size and proportion all matters . The furniture that is low to the ground gives the interior a modern look where as the proportion of it to the design may vary . 6. Windows-Windows have always been considered a primary element in designing . A window helps in achieving daylight and natural ventilation as well . Large windows are preferred since they help in flooding the space with daylight and ventilation but also makes the space more open and connected to nature . It also adds to the aesthetics of the building. 7. Materials – Material choice differs from architect-to-architect, the material selection is very crucial because it shouldn’t be bold enough to stand- out neither to subtle enough to blend-in. The material helps in ‘division’ of space , the integrity of materials with the space is important above all.
MIES VAN DER ROHE Ludwig mies van-der rohe popularly known as Mies van der rohe was a German-American architect . He was the last director of Bauhaus school of design . Post world war I was a turning point in his life , though he was still designing traditional building he started a parallel experimental analysis for the modernist era . He began researching ways to tackle the aristocratic traditional buildings to arrive at a simplified design.
CASE STUDY- I 69
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BARCELONA PAVILLION One of the most notable works of mies van der rohe is the Barcelona pavilion , situated in bracelona,spain .It was for the display of modern movement to the world. It was orignlly named as the German Pavilion . This Pavilion was created for it to be the face of the german section that would host the king Alphonso of spain and the german officials at the inauguration of the exhibition. Mies analysed the space not to house an art or a sculpture . It was rather a space of tranquillity and an escape from the exposition, in turn transforming the pavilion into a inhabitable sculpture. The site where the building is situated is a quiet place at the side od a wide diagonal axis that is close to one of the exhibitions main attraction. The design was based upon the distinction between a sculpture and that of an enclosure . A regular grid of steel columns was scattered by freely spaced planes. The structure was more of an hybrid style, with a very simple floor plan The complexity of the building comes from the strategic composition and position of walls . The walls act as spatial dividers and navigators of space. A large water basin sprawled out towards the south east of the site when viewed from a particular angle would make the structure ‘floating’ upon the water basin. Since the structure was planned for an exhibit the budget , the time frame and the relatively outdated building methods added some difficulties on site. Though completed in 1929 , the structure was torn down in 1930 . After almost five decades some Spanish architects took it upon themselves to rebuild the structure. The mode of reference was through photographs and some scripts using which they were able to recreate the building.
Fig 1.2 Facade of Barcelona pavilion
CASE STUDY –II FRANSWORTH HOUSE The Fransworth house is one of Mies radical domestic designs . It was meant to serve as a weekend get-away house . The fransworth house is entirely a steel and glass built structure that lies in the secluded wood of Fox river. The house is comprised of eight I-shaped columns that support the roof and floor framework. The house is subtly zoned into the dining, study, conversation and library
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areas by only two or three free-standing partitions and few strategically placed pieces of furniture. The house layout is rather simple and very straightforward , the bedrooms face the east so that the sleeper wakes up to the serenity of the morn, dining area to the west and general sitting area between the two.
FIG 2.1 the facade of fransworth platform
3. BARCELONA CHAIR The Barcelona chair was designed by Mies to reform the traditional furniture . It was to compliment his latest modern creation the Barcelona pavilion , hence the name Barcelona chair . It was designed for the Spanish royalty to oversee the opening ceremonies of the exhibition and was termed as “ his sumptuous german pavilion’ . Though designed for the german pavilion the first chair was used for a residential project of his known as the Villa Tugendhat . This form was inspired by the roman folding chairs known as the Curule chair , upholstered stool used by the roman aristocracy . The frame was originally designed to be bolted together, but was re-designed in 1950s using the stainless steel, which allowed the frame to look a one seamless piece of metal , giving it a smoother and clean appearance. Bovine leather replaced the ivory coloured pig skin which was used for the initial pieces.
FIG 3.1 The Barcelona chair with bovine leather
4. BRNO CHAIR
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Designed by Mies and his collaboration with Lilly reich in 1920-1930 for the bedroom of Tugendhat house in Brno, Czech republic . The Brno chair became a modern furniture epitome because of its clean lines which consists of a steel frame in a single piece and bent into c-shape from the middle of the back , round the front edge of the seat , and back up creating a cantilever . There are two versions of the brno chair , one which is in tubular steel and the other in made up of flat steel .
5. TUGENDHAT CHAIR The Tugendhat chair is a modern cantilever chair designed by Mies. The chair likely a combination of the 1929 Barcelona chair and the 1929-1930 Brno chair. It has large padded leather seat and back supported y the leather straps and is mounted on a steel frame and legs, similar to the Barcelona chair. Where-as the frame of a solid steel , formed under into C-shape under the seat to create a cantilever.
TADAO ANDO Architect Tadao ando was born in the year 1941 in Osaka, japan. Growing up on the city of warstriken Japan. Tadao ando spent most of his time out doors and was raised by his grandmother whose name was ‘Ando’. His first interest in architecture was by the age of 15 when he brought a book of Le Corbusier’s sketches. Tadao was a self-educated, having travelled around the world for most of his younger years. Ando further dedicated his life to architecture then onwards. Since his neighbourhood was surrounded by artisans, craftsman etc. His outlook on creativity increased furthermore. He showed his independence by refusing to establish his firm in Tokyo , which was regarded as the best place for architects to flourish in Japan . Instead Tadao opened his practice firm in Osaka his native place . His firm opened in the year 1969 , at that time he was 28 years of age. The characteristics of Tadao’s style of architecture are mainly the large expanses of glass, streamlined concrete walls , unobstructed interior spaces and having a connection with nature. The most recognised works of Ando are the Azuma house, Koshino House and the Church of Light.
1.AZUMA HOUSE
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The house was only two storeys high with a narrow width of three meters.It front facade is window-less and has a slightly recessed area that shelters the entrance. The structure is entirely made out of concrete . The home is comprised of three main segments. All three of the segments are cubic in nature . The first segment is the living room in ground floor and the master bedroom directly above it . The third segment is of the kitchen, dining areas and the bathrooms . The second segment is of the central courtyard. Ando states that though it creates some inconvenience his buildings force awareness onto their inhabitants about their place in the world. It offers a tranquil space which still opens to the daylight,wind and the sky above.
2.KOSHINO HOUSE The Koshino house represented a new start for Ando. The prototype for the design of the house was inspired by the his previous work that is the Row Housing in Sumiyoshi. Made for designer Koshin , The whole building is a complex maze of light and shadows . The house implements contemporary architecture in its style and aesthetics, it is built by utilizing the entirety of the site. Located in Ashiya , a small town located between Osaka and Kobe which are two urban centres . The design incorporates landscape into the built. Two parallel wings that barely interrupt the surrounding landscape. The house is featured for its simplicity, the use of concrete and the treatment of the light inside the space. The northern structure consists of two storey high block which contains the double height living room, kitchen and a dining room on the first floor and the master bedroom and a study on the second floor. Generally tadao ando implements the concepts of Zen using modern planning concepts and materials . The end line of his works shine a light upon the use of minimalism upon life in general , how nature also plays an important role in the architectural components.
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3.CHURCH OF LIGHT The church of light is one such work of Tadao ando which focuses on using the interrelation between light and shadow to achieve a design that expresses on its own. For the most part many critics simply see the church of light as a structure of six walls and a roof. But many fail to feel the essence of the space. A church is a place of god, which translate to a place of people’s beliefs and sorrows. The reflection of that is seen in the structure itself devoid of any openings , only a cross fenestration on the east side of the structure that pours in light in the morning and illuminates the space . Ando expresses his thought that one should have a zone of himself in a church , not distracted by thoughts and visual distractions.
IMPACT OF MINIMALISM IN MODERN-DAY SCENARIO Minimalism has always been present, but the expression of minimalism was not understood in bygone era. A time where traditional buildings were dominating the idea of architecture , people such as Theo van Doesburg, Mies van der rohe, Tadao Ando , experimented with the opportunities of a modern era architecture. Minimalism is seen abundantly in architecture of today. Though striped out of the ornamentation or any conventional colour , it ignites a change in the feeling of a person entirely . Minimalism has not only been in architecture but also seen in the lifestyle of people . Millennial people are starting to implement the concept of minimalism in their lives in subtle ways . This has an ever lasting effect on the modern beliefs of how architecture aspires to be expressed and looked upon. With an increasing number of urban spaces being developed , the hype of minimalism is said to last . Not only for the aesthetical appeal but also for its functional approach . As time goes on the need for a sustainable design increases . Minimalism has a prospective in increasing the concept of sustainable design , due to the de-cluttered spatial design , the least use of materials and using less to achieve more . It has its fair share of difficulties due to the fact that two major concepts of 21st century are being implemented .
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