What Makes Contemporary House Style Unique?

In the world of architecture and interior design, the term “contemporary house style” is quite difficult to associate with a definite meaning. Popularly mistaken for the modern house style, contemporary home designs is a reflection of the architecture of today. It is a combination of historic elements and modern architectural ideology.

While you may think that its reflection of modernism in its style makes it synonymous with modern house designs, contemporary house styles go beyond that to reveal what is today known as the ever-evolving 21st-century architectural styles. However, most contemporary home designs feature a combination of modern appeal with a touch of postmodernism and deconstructivism.

Today, contemporary house styles are characterized by natural and sustainable building materials that exude a warmer appearance which is uncommon with its predecessor the modern design. One of the reasons behind the widespread adoption of contemporary house designs is its ability to promote individuality. Homeowners are now able to design their homes in a way that they see fit. No more restrictions based on architectural conventions which are often common with Craftsman or Victorian house styles.

Peculiar Features of the Contemporary House Style

While the contemporary house style promotes the ability to design your home to your taste, there are some defining interior and exterior features that describe this style of house. They include:

Exterior

• Features an irregular yet asymmetrical frontage.
• Involves a considerable use of natural light
• Characterized by large open windows that are often located in a non-symmetric manner
• Features a bunch of large or small sized-clerestory windows which are usually above eye level and allows for lamination and fresh air.
• Strong emphasis on the use of geometric shapes within and around the building
• There is always a combination of materials such as the use of stones and wood for its exterior
• Use of local or recycled materials to promote sustainability

Interior

• Contemporary house styles are typically one or two-story building
• Features an open floor plan which is usually designed in a U, L, T, or H shape to blend with its outdoor space
• The layout of the building is more flexible to allow for easy adaptation to changes in family needs
• Features the use of green heating and conditioning systems to reduce energy waste.
• It is common to notice to profound use of recycled materials in the interiors of a contemporary house. Materials such as bamboo flooring and granite countertops may be used around the building.
• Simple artistic decoration and the presence of modern/smart energy-efficient electrical appliances.

Why People Love the Contemporary House Style Design

While the contemporary house style is a deviation from the typical home architectural style, it is gradually garnering a massive acceptance by millennials and young families seeking a style out of the norm. Below are some of the reasons why people are adopting the contemporary house style design in 2020.

Allows for Natural Lightening

This is one of the major reasons why homeowners are opting for the contemporary style over other forms of home architectural designs. Since contemporary house styles are characterized by multiple large windows, the major source of lamination is via natural sunlight which offers multiple health benefits. If you are an individual that values natural lighting over artificial lighting, then the contemporary house style may be the best choice for you. 

Endless Possibilities of Customization

The contemporary house style is favored by homeowners for its ability to promote individuality. Unlike other house styles like the Victorian and Craftsman style, the contemporary house style is always evolving and not limited by architectural conventions.

With the contemporary house style, you can customize your home as you see fit. You can do a blend of modernism with a touch of Victorian furniture while still showcasing your personality. This is due to the versatile nature of the contemporary house style.

Multi-Functionality

Gone are the days where static form factor was the in-thing in the architectural and interior design industry. Today homeowners are looking for house styles that are adaptive and offer flexibility. Homeowners want a house that they can easily adjust to suit their growing family, needs, and ever-changing personality.

And with contemporary house styles featuring movable partitions, pocket doors, non-load bearing walls, this makes it easy for families to redesign their house to match the changes in their family size and needs.

How Much Does Contemporary House Style Cost?

On average a contemporary house plan can cost around $500 to $3,000. However, custom plans and blueprints may cost around 5-10 percent of the total home building cost. The average cost to build for a contemporary house style in the US is around $500,000 to over a million dollars depending on your home location and square footage.

One thing you should know before building one is that a contemporary home requires more time and more expensive to build than a typical traditional home. This is because contemporary homes require more precision and the service of specialty builders. If you are looking to build a contemporary home, you should check out some of our contemporary floor plans and designs here.

Main Materials of the Contemporary House Style

Contemporary houses are typically made from local and recyclable materials. Most of the materials used are natural which helps promote sustainability and conserve energy. In a typical contemporary building structure, it is common to find materials like:

• Stones
• Lightwood
• Glass
• Ceramics
• Metal Panels
• Steel
• Concrete

Sometimes, contemporary houses may feature a blend of all these materials. It is important to note that constructing a contemporary home can be quite expensive when compared to other architectural styles. So, when thinking of building one, you should hire the service of a competent builder with experience in constructing contemporary homes.

Constructing a Contemporary Home

Like we mentioned in the earlier section, constructing a contemporary home requires the input of a professional architect and builder. When looking to build a contemporary home, you may decide to opt for a ready-made floor plan or a fully custom-designed blueprint for your potential home.

The first step to constructing a custom contemporary home is to get a comprehensive architectural drawing set. This gives you more insight into the type of materials to be used, accurate dimensions of the floor plans, location of the elements, sections, and other construction-related information.

If you are looking for a comprehensive yet affordable contemporary house blueprint or a customizable floor plan, then we at Archimple is here to serve you. We have several contemporary house design collections and floor plans. You can check out our contemporary home design collection to find out how we can help you achieve your dream home.

You can click the following links to learn more about what consists of our typical plan set and how we work or can be of help to you and your contemporary home building project. Remember that your home is not just an investment for the future but a reflection of your personality. So, it is important that you employ the best architectural help to make your dream home a reality.

More To Read: 

• Building Your House: Hiring a Builder Vs Building Yourself
• All About Country House Style - What To Consider Or Avoid?
• Everything You Need To Know About the Craftsman House Plan
• What Classifies A House Style: What Makes A Modern Home Style?
• Cost Of Building A House On Your Own Land