Get Inspired: Top Architectural Designs for Your Next Home
Bookmark this article for inspirational homes you want to replicate in your future home.
These architectural designs have long inspired custom home builders, developers, to dreamers to aspire to have a home they can call their own.
If you found yourself enthralled with house tour videos, or marvel at the before-and-after renovations or house reveals of celebrities and other personalities on the Internet, you are not alone. There’s something about home architecture that it captures not only your visual tastes, but also your imagination.
In these article, we list the top architectural designs in residential homes today, and describe why these design trends are not only popular, but also managed to make an impact in the way we live.
Modern
By definition, modern or modernist architecture is a design movement based on innovative technologies. The use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete are prominent materials in a modern style home, but what makes this distinct is that it prioritizes form over function. As such, it rejects the more grander, decorative elements and instead focuses on features and fixtures that serve purpose. The lines are often geometric, and sometimes utilitarian.
For some people, a modern home is pleasing to the eye, as it allows you to focus on the entirety of the architecture and not its parts. It also takes a background or supporting role to features, fixtures, or even interior décor, elevating everything and turning it into a stark, well-finished look. It is also marked by open spaces and its flawless incorporation of nature, say the expansive sky or the vast green surroundings.
Modern is shown to be among the most popular architectural designs not only for house and lots, but also for condominium, townhouse and subdivision developments.
Modern is almost always akin to posh or luxury, but if we follow its initial philosophy, it is used to elevate living spaces with limited floor space or rooms, like condo units.
Modern style is also a popular style to be combined with other architectural designs. While there is no change in terms of the look and feel of modern architecture, the only difference is the type of materials and identifying features incorporated in the design. For example, a mid-century modern home utilize plastic, as well as other traditional materials.
Contemporary
Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore is a showstopper contemporary design showcase. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Contemporary architecture is an architecture style that emerged in the 21st century. It does not have a distinct style, and in some cases, its term is often exchanged with modern. But the underlying argument that the architecture transforms. For example, some contemporary buildings are wrapped in glass or aluminum screens, while others come with cantilevered sections or asymmetric facades. Instead of column-straight buildings, buildings that follow a contemporary tend to twist or give way to secret awnings or facets, in another example
This is because common also to contemporary homes is that developers use computer-aided design in order model structures in three dimensions. This allows developers to build the structures they want with speed and precision.
Mediterranean
When we talk about Mediterranean style, we think about European aesthetics, including the color palettes.
Mediterranean homes are quite popular as vacation homes because they evoke just like that: the very distinct yet timeless homes in sun-soaked, seaside locales. Mediterranean architecture is not even out of place in urban locations simply because they actually bring the atmosphere with them.
Homes that showcase Mediterranean architecture are typically rectangular floor-plan homes and feature massive, symmetrical primary facades. The architectural characteristics have a personality of their own: stuccoed walls, red-tilled roofs, arc or circle-shaped windows, wood or wrought iron balconies with window grilles, multicolored tiles, and articulated doors. The ornamentation in Mediterranean style homes may be simple, but can command a presence.
And true to its definition as a vacation home, most of these Mediterranean style homes have courtyards, private gardens and other personal open-space areas where it may or may not be accentuated by a pool or a water feature.
Art Deco
Art Deco is associated with luxury and glamour. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
What do you get when you mix ancient Egypt, 1930s Hollywood, and the tropical Miami Beach? You get Art Deco, an architectural style that is associated with glamour and luxury. A typical Art Deco structure has smooth stucco walls with rounded corners, flat roofs, and some bold exterior decorations. The craftsmanship in the decorations are of top-notch quality and are one-of-a-kind that they become symbols that give identity to the structures they are installed on. In some structures, they use opulent materials such as crystals, silver, gold plating, and even gems.
The glamour and luxury of Art Deco are not common in most homes, but are utilized in buildings.
Asian
Asian-style homes are most often seen in luxury homes. Image by homedesignlover.com.
Asian architecture nowadays have integrated Western influences, but the distinctions are still there: the iconic pagoda roofing, and black, white, and cherry wood color scheme, paper windows, and glass. Asian homes are also accentuated further with beautiful, well-manicured landscaping and Zen stone gardens.
Rowhouse
Townhouses are typically two stories built next to each other and sharing a wall, among other things. Image from aasarchitecture.com
Townhouses are a popular choice for many residents who wanted to buy a house and lot in urban locations. In the Philippines, townhouses fill this need because it offers similar ownership rights as far as land ownership is concerned, and bigger living space despite living in a limited square foot rectangular box.
In recent years, more developers are integrating interesting architectural choices in their townhouse projects. No longer reserved around the simple and practical rectangular rowhouse design, some are now emboldened to add distinct modern, contemporary, and even Asian influences to elevate the property overall. Luxury developers explore balcony and sunroof features to Mediterranean materials, depending on the overall theme of the residential development.
Craftsman
Crafstman homes are like an elevated version of the bungalow – the domestic architectural style emphasizes clean lines and traditional materials.
A popular choice in medium-sized, single-family housing developments, there’s something charming about a Craftsman house. The natural materials used and the sturdiness of the structure easily evoke warmth and comfort. The exposed beams gel well with the large shingled roof. Despite the grand size of the property, Craftsman homes are not too flashy to look at, but has enough decorative appeal.
Which Architectural Design Is Right for You?
While we all want to have and live in our own homes, we do not share the same dreams. Typically, most people are attracted to homes that display certain artistic flair, getting a home in the design you want is a form of self-expression. Moreover, homes that are designed in certain architectural styles help raise market value, which is great if the intention in the future is to flip it at a premium price or lease it.
Here are five questions you should ask when considering the architectural design that best represents your traits and desires:
Does this home invoke the aesthetic that I want?
More so if the aesthetic complements with your interiors and furnishings. A home that exudes the right aesthetic helps accentuate your lifestyle, and the home’s selling price or rental rates.
Does the design bring functional value to the home?
A site-specific design that helps maximises natural light, space and storage makes living at home much easier, and therefore improve the quality of life at home. A home designed to be functional for you inspires positive, productive relationship in the household.
Does the design deliver the social design value?
In other words, is the architectural design of your home, and the other homes and structures in the neighborhood, reflect what I aspire to live in? If they promise an oasis, your first thing is to expect homes that are designed to provide a sense of calm, comfort, and nature.
Does the design preserve traditional values?
Your home’s architectural design should achieve a balance between traditional and modern influences. This is because traditional architectural designs are of the elegant styles that are most loved home buyers. So even if you lean towards the latest contemporary design in terms of architectural style, your home will not see that much interest among buyers who expect traditional elements.
Is the architectural design up to standard?
Architectural design is not just about the aesthetics or raising property value. It is about ensuring that the structure, and everything fitted into building the property, is strong, sturdy, and is compliant with building standards. Moreover, architectural design helps dictate what to look for to address potential issues that can reduce safety, security, and endanger the health of people who will live in it.
Is the architectural design cost-effective?
A good architecture design help homeowners save money in terms of maintenance costs. For instance, adopting contemporary influences like a skylight can help the household keep the home well-lit using natural sunlight. In another example, rowhouses with very high ceilings may require more electricity to power airconditioning units. Choose a home with an architectural design that guarantee the household comfy shelter regardless of the time of the year with little to no required maintenance.
