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The Design of Modern House Plans
It is easy to confuse the terms modern architecture and contemporary architecture since the two words mean the same thing in casual usage. However modern architecture refers to the design which was inspired by the historical modernist art movement, so that in actual fact most examples of modern house plans are at least fifty years old. The modernist movement represented a rebellion against the traditions of classic architecture. Because this movement spanned almost sixty years, it embraces different architectural styles including Arts & Crafts, ranch, and Art Deco. The movement also produced giants in the pantheon of architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright in America, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Germany, and Le Corbusier in Switzerland.
The key elements which distinguish modern architecture are open living spaces, which is largely Frank Lloyd Wright’s contribution. Wright thought that separate rooms tended to impede the flow of living. Thus, modernist home plans are characterized by open floor plans which combine spaces for entertaining, relaxing, and dining. Modern country houseplans feature large plate-glass windows and outdoor patio areas to increase the living space and to bring the sense of the outdoors inside. Another key element of the modernistic style is its clean geometric lines and lack of adornment, instead of the embellished columns and arches characteristic of the classical style. Modernism also adopted technologically-advanced materials such as steel, glass, and concrete instead of the traditional stone, wood, and plaster. Another key element of modernism is the “form follows function” ideal, which is largely the contribution of Mies van der Rohe and his Bauhaus followers, whom you can thank for the office cubicle. Mies’ view was that homes and other buildings should be large and wide-open in order to accommodate various functions, and then be subdivided as needed with movable screens and walls. Mies believed that the open space would create a feeling of community.
Tags: classic architecture, frank lloyd wright, le corbusier, ludwig mies van, ludwig mies van der rohe, mies van der, mies van der rohe, modern house plans, modernistic style, plate glass windowsRelated posts
Ranch Style House Plans For Easy Living
n the post-World War II era when GI loans, and Americans taking to automobiles and commuting to work, fueled a building explosion in the suburbs. This style was particularly associated with inexpensive tract housing developments since these homes are cheap to build and maintain. The house is marked by a long, low profile, and the minimal use of interior and exterior decoration. These houses fuse modernist styles and ideas with the romantic image of American western working ranches, which creates a very casual and informal living style. The popularity of it waned in the latter part of the twentieth century with the rise of neo-eclectic architectural styles and a return to using traditional and historical decoration.
Recently the ranch style has undergone a revitalization of popularity, with preservationist movements in some ranch style house neighborhoods, and also with a renewed interest in this style by a younger generation which did not grow up in ranch style homes. The style revival is similar to that experienced by other styles such as bungalow and Queen Anne architecture, which were quite popular at one time. It faded as a desired style of housing resulting in teardowns due to disinterest and decay and then resurged with a renewal of interest and the gentrification of surviving houses.
Tags: exterior decoration, gi loans, hobby area, queen anne architecture, rectangular floor plan, sliding glass doors, story dwelling, style revival, working ranches, world war iiRelated posts
Solar Optimized House Plans For Your Climate!
When your building a new home or planning an extensive remodel you can save $122,000 over 30 years by including the free heating and cooling energy of your climate if you select a house plan that is solar optimized for your climate. There are five basic climates in the USA: cold, hot/mixed dry, hot humid, marine, and mixed humid.
Designing for each of these climates can be challenging but by following the fundamentals of passive solar design and adapting to the differences a home which uses MUCH less energy can be built. These energy savings often exceed $100 per month over the year which will compound to $122,000 at 7% (tax free too)!
Tags: climate zone, climate zones, cold climate, cold in the winter, dry climate, hot humid climate, marine climate, mason dixon line, passive solar design, thermal mass