Architectural Design Styles

The Dean Larkin Design team has a great deal of experience with both historical and modern or contemporary architectural design and the designs created utilize features that make the best use of the homes’ surroundings and natural light. This article explores characteristics of modernism, as well as some features of different styles of contemporary architecture.

Modern architecture design style came about in two phases, emerging in the early 1900s and generally emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and minimalism. The first phase, Early Modern, modernized exterior features to remove historical connections. During this time low pitched roofs and wide overhangs were popular, as well as asymmetrical facades. The second phase occurred after World War II. In this phase, standardization of the house’s parts was emphasized, and any external ornamentation that was not also functional was removed.

• Low-pitched roofs
• Wide eaves
• Exposed roof rafters
• Porches with roofs

• Vertical structures with strong horizontal lines
• Use of glass and steel
• Flat or low-pitched roofs
• Use of concrete and steel-frame construction
• Lack of adornment on facades
• Smooth wall surfaces
• Asymmetrical

Contemporary architecture is a broad term that refers to a style of architecture that features new materials and building techniques that are often used in modern buildings. The style is characterized by simple shapes and open spaces. Contemporary architecture often includes natural materials for construction.

Contemporary design focuses on the interior and how the interior spaces relate to the outdoor spaces. The interior design of a contemporary building often features open floor plans, and architects who work in contemporary styles today often utilize natural light sources such as skylights or large windows to create dramatic effects within their designs. This technique has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its ability to create spacious environments with unique interiors, its impact on heating and cooling in a home, and its positive effect on a home’s inhabitants. Dean Larkin Design is a great proponent of using light in architectural projects.

Contemporary architecture encompasses multiple styles including Postmodernism and Deconstructivism. Postmodernism combines elements of past architectural styles with contemporary designs in a playful way. Deconstructivism focuses on an aesthetic that emphasizes the idea of deconstructing buildings into their basic geometric shapes. High-tech architecture leans on the latest building technology to create structures that look distinctly of their moment, often leaving structural and mechanical systems visible rather than hidden. Dean Larkin Design’s contemporary projects don’t go that far, but they share that same honesty about visible material and structure.

Postmodernism was a movement that developed in the late 1960s s as a response to Modernism, often characterized by its incorporation of historical styles and elements into large-scale urban designs, such as high-rise buildings with Classical columns or elaborate friezes. Postmodernism is also known for its use of irony and humor in architecture.

Deconstructivism is a postmodern style that pulls apart classic architectural form, with curved surfaces, walls and floors meeting at unexpected angles, and a focus on the individual part rather than the whole. Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid are its best-known names. Dean Larkin Design doesn’t design in a deconstructivist mode, but the style’s honesty about materials and structure shows up in how the firm treats concrete, steel, and glass in its own contemporary work.

• Curved surfaces
• Walls and floors that joined each other at different angles
• Redefinition of shapes and forms
• Indistinct transitions between surfaces

Dean Larkin Design was established in Los Angeles in 1999 and this architectural design company maximizes the intrinsic potential of a location, including its available natural light sources and views. Dean Larkin is very familiar with both historical and contemporary architectural design styles in the Los Angeles area, and the firm endeavors to achieve a complexity that is multi-layered with an effortless elegance. For a design that is modern and innovative, unlocks your location’s innate potential by making specific use of light, views and more, and uniquely designed for the way you live, contact Dean Larkin for a consultation.