Why Contemporary Architecture Costs More - And Some Tips to Help You Save! (2024)

FAQs

Why are contemporary homes more expensive to build? ›

Construction is meticulous

To prep it, each board used in the framing has to be shaved flat, says Dougherty. Contemporary design also eliminates the leeway provided by details like baseboards, molding, and trim. “The floor had to be perfect since everything is exposed,” says Dougherty.

In both cases, the materials and finishes used for a Contemporary home are many times commercial-grade, which is naturally more costly than traditional home building materials. Another defining characteristic of Contemporary homes is the low roofline - most typically either flat, very low gables, or hipped roofs.

It is more fluid and diverse than modern architecture, encompassing a wide range of styles. Contemporary architecture pushes the boundaries of design by integrating advancements in technology, sustainability, and cultural context.

Contemporary design can give off different styles in different rooms and sections of the house, whereas modern design typically chooses a single style and sticks with it. Despite this, the modern design remains the more common and preferred style.

Both contemporary and modern home designs are characterized by their lines but in different ways. Contemporary homes are known for clean lines that let other elements of the home shine. Modern homes, on the other hand, often have asymmetrical designs and geometric shapes that draw your attention.

One of the major advantages traditional architecture has over its modern type is that the construction materials are very cheap, affordable, and easily available, requiring relatively little labor. Traditional buildings are more costly to build than modern homes, thus making them the most durable buildings.

The fundamentals of modern architecture are clean and simple. Its ever-present philosophy abides to the ideal that form follows function. Therefore, modern architects express themselves through simplicity, clear views of structural elements and by eschewing unnecessary design details.

Answer: Modern architecture positively effects aesthetics, space efficiency, sustainability, living comfort, property value, and aligns with environmental concerns and trends.

There are many factors that influence contemporary architectural design, and despite their multiple and different classification methods, they can be divided into three main factors: physical, human and civil factors, in addition to contemporary factors.

Why choose contemporary design? ›

Specifically, contemporary design is perfect for all those people who feel the need to “change” to feel at home again. This furniture style combines instances and inspiration from art, nature and the most sophisticated architecture. It is functional and classy and it meets the needs of any type of public.

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest challenges modern architects face is environmental sustainability. With climate change's stark realities, sustainable and eco-friendly building design is crucial. Architects must create green buildings that minimize carbon footprints and reduce environmental impact.

A contemporary home is a house with design elements and features that reflect today's architecture style. Although similar to a modern home, contemporary houses come with common characteristics such as clean lines, natural lighting and a minimalist feel. Therefore, this type of home is its own category for a reason.

Developed in the latter half of the 20th century, soft contemporary interiors contain neutral elements accentuated by bold color, the overall focus being the basics of line, shape and form. The typical contemporary color palette relies heavily on brown, taupe, cream and pure white.

Beach Houses and Mediterranean-style homes are the most expensive in the U.S. and are often found on prime land close to the ocean. Large windows and balconies accentuate the use of natural light, which adds a feeling of luxury and simplicity to a home.

A ranch-style house is generally more affordable to build because it has an easy, open floor plan and is traditionally available in a rectangular or U-shaped layout. Many have a dedicated patio space for homeowners to enjoy or easy outdoor access.

Contemporary homes feature larger windows and doors and the interior looks open and airy with improved natural lighting. Even though with smaller windows, traditional constructional ideas offer proper air circulation. The traditional design is well evolved and suitable for our climatic conditions.

A mid-century modern home costs $200 to $500 per square foot to build because you may need custom materials and features, like windows or roofs, that cost more per square foot. A true MCM home typically has around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, so your total project cost could range from $300,000 to $1,250,000.