The 5 Rules of Minimalist Architecture, by a Minimalist Architect

Minimalist design is a phrase we often see, but what does it actually mean? Depending on the topic, minimalism will relate to many things. For example, in architecture, it is partly driven by the idea of an ‘simpler life’. The minimalist movement expects people to reflect on what’s very important in life and reduce the clutter; anything from the physical to the religious. This has had a great influence in architecture. Nowadays, minimalist design is everywhere. If you think about it, minimalism has sort of become the universal language of architecture. It is not defined by any specific country or societal norm, but instead it’s more of a reflection of contemporary times. Minimalism also intrinsically contains the materials that we have used to shape our modern society (think the industrial revolution), all reflected back in the style. I have created this guide to serve as an easy roadmap to help someone differentiate between good and bad minimalism. So here is my personal diluted take on it:

Minimalist Design is the Bare Minimum

I remember back in grad school, a professor used to tell us that every time we made a design decision, we should always keep in mind it’s function. If whatever we’re inserting into our design has at least 2 reasons for existing, then it passes the test. A window placed in a certain wall can bring natural lighting into a space, but it can also serve to frame a very specific point in space that reflects light in a certain way at a certain time of the day. A stair could serve its purpose of creating circulation around a house, but it can also provide shelter, seating space, or even create a different spatial condition within the space it inhabits. Whereas, decoration for the sake of it doesn’t really serve a functional purpose. Decoration, in it of itself, is an aesthetic clutch that allows the designer to lean on something else that’s not design itself. Minimalism tries to avoid that by focusing on designing just the things that are absolutely needed within a space. Hence, the bare minimum in minimalist design means that there is no need for anything extra, because every design decision is only successful if its serving an actual purpose/function within the structure.

A modern stair serving as an example of providing two functions: circulation to access upper floors, and also every 3 steps, one of them is prolonged and becomes seating space.

So if someone tells you that they love minimalist design and then shows you a picture of a house with 75 pieces of decoration and excess on it, there is a big chance you’re most likely seeing anything but minimalism, or simply put, minimalism done by people that haven’t read this list (you should send them this link).

Minimalist Design Reflects It’s Time

When we look at true minimalist design, it’s important to notice that the simplicity in it is a reflection of our modern times. Minimalism was heavily influenced by the industrial revolution. If you look at the design of a 1900s warehouse, most of the materials you’ll see in it are still present in what we consider minimalism design today. Exposed concrete, exposed bricks, exposed i-beams, exposed roof structures, etc. Minimalism allows the elements, the backbone of the structure, to simply breathe and exist without a need of having to hide it. Since minimalism IS about getting rid of the excess in order to just maintain the necessities, this is reflected in the architectural style. Houses that have a true minimalist influence will have windows without any decorations, they will be there in order to provide ventilation into a room and to bring natural light into a space. Kitchen islands and drawers will try to move away from any detailing in its pieces, and will try to remain strictly functional. Aesthetically speaking, when minimalism is done well, the lack of excess creates a very pleasant experience in the house.

Minimalist Design focuses on materials, not gimmicks

Good minimalist design tries to focus on spatial conditions, rather than colors and excesses. By spatial condition, we mean the qualities a certain space contains within its walls. When you walk into a space, how do you feel? How does the light come in? If there is a lack of any light, is there a purpose? Do you feel opressed, relaxed? These are all qualities intrinsic in architecture, but that can be explored more thoroughly in the way an architect uses materials in a design, and how this material speaks to the volumen it is creating.

Minimalism focuses on the experience, not the built space.

One of the common misconceptions people have about architecture is that architecture is the physical built space. Walls, floor, ceiling, etc. Though these are certainly the elements through which architecture is expressed, these only serve to create the conditions in which architecture is experienced. Minimalism tries to focus on the space the person inhabits. How do you move from one room to another. When you sit in your kitchen, does it make you feel a certain way? When you wake up in a room, how does the layout of your bedroom enhance or affect your life? These are all conditions that minimalism seeks to explore through architecture. A hallway can be designed to have a short ceiling, in order to make the main rooms (living room, kitchen) feel bigger once you enter them. Bedrooms can be positioned facing the morning sun, in order to wake up with natural light flooding your bedroom first thing in the morning, therefore creating a sense of well being and wakefulness for its users. Clean materials such as polished concrete can be used in office spaces, in order to minimize distractions and allow for productivity to be enhanced.

Good minimalism design is hard to achieve.

As I explained in the previous point, minimalism focuses on the experience one has when inhabiting a space. Minimalist architecture shaping a user’s experience in a positive and uplifting way is actually very hard. An architect has to address multiple conditions. He has to know about the way the environment behaves for this particular site. He also has to understand the specific dynamics a client has, in order to better serve him and create a memorable space for them.

Even with these factors in mind, I believe minimalism is necessary in architecture and currently, the best way an architect can serve a client. Architecture should reflect its time, and minimalism is the most sincere form to do it. In a world full of excesses and over sharing, minimalism helps you stay grounded and observe things for what they are.

I hope this guide has provided some value to you.