TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE What defines timeless architecture? Why is it desirable?
Buildings have a longer lifespan than most any other investment. Longer than your car, your clothing, your technology, eyeglasses, you name it. You want a building to be desirable long into the future.
Some of this is functional, and some stylistic. Another important aspect is location – the desirability of the lot itself and its surroundings. Buildings are unique in that they are static – they don’t move – so the location remains important.
An early step in designing timeless architecture is evaluating the site. Its size, surroundings, and character. Generally, your building can match these, or it can contrast with them.
Another aspect of design is Style. Is a historic style more timeless? Maybe. If it is so well-executed it fits into its surroundings and is indistinguishable from old, nearby buildings, it might be considered “Timeless”.
What about Contemporary designs and “Transitional” styles that combine the best of Traditional and Contemporary design? Again, maybe.
Timeless buildings include aspects that transcend Style. Some of these include proportion, natural light, and materiality.
PROPORTION
An overlooked aspect of Classicism is that each part has a proportional relationship to adjacent elements and to the structure as a whole. Classicism has multiple “Orders”, each with its own proportional system. One early choice made by the Classical Architect is selecting the Order appropriate for project character. Orders vary in formality and in their proportional character. For example, some are more stout and others more elongated.
Greek temples and Gothic cathedrals share the belief that proportions matter – that they can be sensed by humans. Bay dimensions and other architectural elements typically have invisible mathematical relationships that hold them together.
The desirability of a room may be the best example of how proportion affects architecture. In timeless architecture, the length, width and height of each room is carefully considered to create an appropriate emotional response. 
NATURAL LIGHT
Ironically, the factor limiting natural light in historical architecture is typically the manner of construction. The width of the opening was likely limited by the stone, timber or other materials used in traditional architecture. Generally, width is the challenge. To admit more natural light, verticality was often increased, like in a Gothic cathedral, or the ceiling raised, like in many traditional commercial buildings. Natural light is desirable in a building for two reasons. One is admitting more light into the space, which feels cheerier – not to mention the potential visual treat of an ever-changing play of light and shadow. Exterior views are also very important to how desirable a room is considered.
MATERIALITY
Classical Architecture is limited to two forms of structure. The bearing wall (including arches) and columns and beams. Finished materials typically are applied to these. When traditional construction is changed, for example by the addition of steel, insulating materials, or otherwise, its pureness or timelessness may be affected. Materiality may then be compromised; for example, plaster on the bearing wall may become gypsum wallboard. Modernist architecture typically emphasizes material quality in exchange for detail. One example is steel columns clad in mirror-finish stainless steel at the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe in 1936. In many examples, patterns in wood or natural stone may be featured to emphasize the unique natural qualities of the material.
CONCLUSION
What architecture is timeless….? It may be as much about the building’s relationship to its surroundings, its proportions, how it captures natural light, and its materiality – as its style.
Tom Brink has 30 years of global Residential Architecture experience. After obtaining his Master of Architecture degree, including a year studying in Versailles, France, he led complex mixed-use projects around the world. His focus continues to be the importance of a sense of place, and detail within the individual home. We are extremely excited about Tom joining our staff and bringing his wonderful appreciation and knowledge of style and beauty to our team (and yours)!
Recent Comments