December2019

Compendia Architectura

MINIMALISM IN ARCHITECTURE
Manvi Agarwal
Ar. Arundhati Khasnabas

Abstract-
Minimalist architecture involves the use of simple design elements, without ornamentation and decoration.
Proponents of minimalism believe that condensing the content and form of a design to its bare essentials, reveals the
true essence of architecture.
Minimalism not only provides peace and harmony in physical realm, but also the mental realm too. Maximizing can
be done easily, but limiting requires skill. It is because one should know where to stop so that it doesn’t hinder the
performance of that entity. Minimalism as a design approach which facilitates meaningful architecture by providing
calmness and simple wonderful spaces may be the best way to get rid of today's feverish and hectic environments.
Further, it is appropriate, as it is a functional tool rather than a formal philosophy.
The aim of the research is to have a deeper understanding regarding minimalism in architecture and how it can be
applied to buildings and complexes.

Keywords- simplicity minimalism balance timelessness

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Introduction
This research commence with defining, what does healing
means? Minimalist Architecture can be derived as the parred
down form of architecture. The minimalists presented the idea
of limiting the structure to its essentials and believed in natural
beauty of the structure rather than an implied one.
It had evolved from being just a theory of design to being nerve
of the building. The theories and principles of various architects
of the mid-20th century and that of the contemporary architects
have given a wider perspective on the present scenario of the
trends in modern architecture.
One of the remarkable phases of Modern Architecture is
‘Minimalism’. This movement concerns with stripping away
the unwanted details and defines the true essence of any given
architectural element. The term minimalism is also used to
describe a trend in design and architecture, wherein the subject
is reduced to its necessary elements.
India is well-known for its decadent design and it’s propensity
for kaleidoscopic colors but recently the design world has
begun to cautiously dip its toe in minimalistic pool. Unlike in
the west, or even in Japan, Indian Minimalism tends to eschew
the typical metal and glass in favour of warmer, more rustic
wood plus the addition of stone accents.
“This unification of the minimalist art and design
philosophy with the traditional and regional materials is known
as Indian Minimalism.
2 Literature Study
2.1 History of minimalism
Minimalism started in the early 20th century with architecture,
roughly around 1920s.
Roots of Minimalist Design-
Like with anything in life, minimalist design was influenced by
certain things that came before it. Specifically, what influenced
minimalist design was:
 The De Stijl art movement
 Architects like Van Der Rohe
 Traditional Japanese design
2.2 Western Interpretation
 Material and its effect
 Super-modernism
 Phenomenological Architecture
2.3 Eastern interpretation
When minimalism was found in Japan in 1996, it was not a
style but a behaviour and a way of being. In fact, it was claimed
that Japanese minimalism is longing for essence of things,
rather than their appearance.
In regard to moral meditation emphasized by the Japanese, the
most prominent ideology that related to that is their Zen
philosophy. The word Zen itself was adapted from Chinese
word that means ‘meditation’. Japanese manipulate Zen
concept into architecture of their building by creating space that
is able to treat the inhabitant.
The idea is to guide the people to the state of enlighten or being
awakened. In other words, people who experienced the space
will have a moral boost and spiritual rejuvenation. In the west,
they try to create the independent architecture, where buildings
are isolated from the nature.
But in case of Japanese architecture, it integrates with nature by
having a space that cannot be distinguished whether it is outside
or inside. Thus it can be said that Japanese architecture are very
close related to culture and religious aspect although the
technique and materials are from the western.
2.4 Nordic versus Japanese Minimalism
Nordic and Japanese lifestyle concepts have taken root abroad
and given people cause to consider switching up their
surroundings for the better.
 Climate: Long winters and limited light
Scandinavia is a region of Northern Europe that experiences
long, cold winters and bright, temperate summers, and
architecture is informed by the challenges posed by the
weather. Living indoors is a necessity of the climate, so making
interiors livable and bringing elements of nature indoors is a
hallmark of Nordic design.
 Limited Resources: Doing a Lot With Less
 Isolation of Europe
 Natural Disasters - Adapting to the environment:
Both Scandinavia and Japan relied on wood to build
homes and other structures. Fires are a frequent
concern in Japanese history, giving cause to wonder
why Japan continued to rely on such a flammable
material. Unfortunately for Japan, there were other
more frequent natural disasters, including typhoons,
earthquakes, and mold.
2.5 Concept of Minimalism
The concept of Minimalism can easily be differentiated
through:
 Principles of minimalist design
 Elements of minimalist design
 Characteristics of minimalist design
2.6 PRINCIPLES OF MINIMALIST DESIGN
 Grid Planning- Using grids for aligning elements in an
easy and effective way to aid readability. Grid Design
can give a clear presentation of content, because our
eyes are really used to seeing repeated patterns.
 Divine Proportion
 Balance
 Timelessness- Minimalism is about doing the opposite
of following trends, it is about timelessness.
 Interior Space
 Indoor outdoor relationship
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Compendia Architectura
 Less is more- “LESS IS MORE” or “Less id Better” is
probably the most well-known catch phrase of the
Minimalist Movement. Keep good readability and
usability by ditching all excessiveness. Remember,
minimalist design is about cutting the extra
decorations and using fewest elements as possible.
2.7 Characteristics of Minimalism
 Simplicity in form and function- This creates clarity in
plan, where spaces are predictable and
uncomplicated. Simple forms, open floor plans,
minimal interior walls, modest storage areas, and an
emphasis on views and daylight are defining
characteristics of many minimalist floor plans.
 Uncomplicated cladding and wall finishes -Using a
simple continuous exterior cladding material can
easily provide visual appeal and articulation by
expressing the physical characteristics of the materials
and their texture.
Source:https://images.app.goo.g Source:https://images.app.goo.gl/
l/N1Ay8KkkZdNyDvxA9 cD9yFWWyPXxvqJMq6
 Clean open light filled spaces.
 Simple detailing devoid of decoration
 Strategic use of materials for visual interest
2.8 Elements of Minimalism
 Simplicity in Form
 Simple Furniture
 Color and Texture- In minimalist spaces usually light
and neutral colors preferred which are reflecting the
colors of nature (soil color, etc). White and gray colors
provide the serenity and purity features of space.
White color effect on man's psychological perception
of the 85 cleanliness, purity, innocence emotions, and
a gray reminiscent of silence, stability, reliability and
simplicity emotions.
 White space is a key to great minimalistic design
because the absence of clutter helps viewers focus on
the content. Good minimalist design means the perfect
amount of white spaces and without White Space is
not really minimalist at all.
 Large windows
2.9 Indian Minimalism
 Minimalism due to its immediate effect on life has
now been preferred by people all around the globe.
This preference and connection with minimalism gives
birth to a more regional form of minimalism. The
essence of culture is seen clearly in these regional
forms of minimalism. This is the basis for the birth of
Indian Minimalism. India, being one of the richest in
terms of culture and heritage, has always influenced
architecture examples being the Indo-Saracenic and
Awadh architecture where foreign forms were infused
with Indian elements to generate designs which are
more genetic and native. Example- Urban House in
Vadodara by Architect Dipen Gada
Source:https://images.app.goo.gl/wsc3xvYRDuu9hCNq8
2.10 Characteristics of simple minimalist house plans
• simple rectilinear row house floor plans
• open floor plan on the first floor with load-bearing
exterior walls
• stairs stacked along the wall for maximum efficiency
• minimal kitchen storage along wall with flanking
storage closets
• private bedrooms on second floor with small closets
• room sizes adequate for their needs
• no redundant or wasted spaces
2.11 Minimalism and mental illness
Minimalism can be a helpful way to combat mental illness of
all degrees of severity, from anxiety to schizophrenia and back.
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Compendia Architectura
By having fewer things to distract or trigger you, your mental
health will be positively impacted.
3. Case Studies
3.1 Church of light, Osaka, Japan
 Architect: Tadao Ando
 Site area- 838 sq.m.
 The Church of Light is an architecture of duality – the
dual nature of coexistence – solid/void, light/dark,
stark/serene. The coexisting differences leave the
church void of any, and all, ornament creating a pure,
unadorned space. The intersection of light and solid
raises the occupants awareness of the spiritual and
secular within themselves.
 USE OF B ASIC GEOMETRICAL FEATURES -
The Chapel consists of a rectangular volume of three
cubes. These cubes are punctured by a wall at a fifteen
degree angle that never actually touches the other
walls or ceiling of the chapel.
Source:https://images.app.goo.gl/5SyexbaKVKDCW9ep8
 Simplification and Decomplication of plan by using
simple rectangular plan.
 Declutteration of facade using Uniform and basic
palette of texture.
 Amalgamation of minimal palette of materials
reinforced concrete (for walls), glass (for windows)
and reclaimed wood (for furniture).
 No use of external finishes or false facades, purity of
texture is maintained.
 Less structural complexity.
 The seams and joints of the concrete are built with
precision and care by master Japanese carpenters,
along with Ando, that have worked to create an
immaculately smooth surface and accurately aligned
joints.
 The light is not just from fenestrations on the wall but
also from the cleft between the wall and the ceiling.
 He intersected intangible light and solid concrete in a
manner that creates awe, befitting for a place of
worship.
3.2 SEAGRAM B UILDING, NEW YORK
 Architects: Mies van der Rohe + Philip Johnson
 Area: 14020.6 ft2
 Building Type: Office building
 The lobby has a white ceiling that stretches out
over the entry doors further eroding the defined
line between interior and exterior.
 The office spaces above the lobby, furnished by
Philip Johnson, have flexible floor plans lit with
luminous ceiling panels. These floors also get
maximum natural lighting with the exterior being
glass panes of gray topaz that provide floor-to-
ceiling windows for the office spaces. The gray
topaz glass was used for sun and heat protection,
and although there are Venetian blinds for
 window coverings they could only be fixed in a
limited number of positions so as to provide
visual consistency from the outside.
 The metal bronze skin that is seen in the facade is
non-structural but is used to express the idea of
the structural frame that is underneath.
 The building became a monumental continuity of
bronze and dark glass climbing up 515 feet to the
top of the tower, juxtaposing the large granite
surface of the plaza below.
Source:https://images.app.goo.gl Source:https://images.app.goo.
/pyrjkrwUegXFvnkU7 gl/3GU1FWD54NCPLYPJ8
3.3 Copper House II, Mumbai, India
 Principal Architect: Bijoy Jain
 Site Area : 970 sq.m.
 Location: Chondi, India
 For validity of private spaces, two blocks have been
created, each having one bedroom and ground floor
consist of family rooms.
 Copper cladding to provide Indian ethnicity to the
place guarantee of simultaneous intimacy.
 The central room formed by the courtyard flanked by
pillars was called the naalukettu.
 Inclusion of nature inside the building premise, with
adequate openings to facilitate the cause.
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Compendia Architectura
right from the ceiling pattern at the bottom to polished
concrete floor on top.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/gZQFPuja31MFh38v5

 Layering of light through a series of material gestures,

each one tuned to the direction that light takes and the
need for changing degrees of privacy.
 Use of courtyard planning, which is essential to the
Indian culture and architecture both.
 Synthesis of different natural texture. Copper facade
from first floor with vegetation at background and
wooden windows.
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/YjcWSNoCBBHsPVXh6
 The colour of the surrounding soil and mountains
mingles with the structure to let us perceive it as a
single unit.
 The mounds create an intimate living condition on the
lower level- where one finds the more private houses
of the house- a master bedroom, a private living area
that also opens up to the pool on the lakeside, as well
as the kitchen and the bathroom.

Source:https://images.app.goo.gl/jUX4ayE6LZqMdGHk6
3.4 Panorama House, Nashik, India
 Architects - Ajay Sonar
 Area- 400.0 sqm
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/1PqT954vyF6zaRwd6
 With this simple intention in mind, the house was
conceived as a simple Pigmented concrete cuboid 4 Conclusion
matching the soil colour of the surrounding, supported
over an even grid of slender Miesien columns. • The great thing about minimalism is that it is a choice.
 A screen of full height sliding window panels run in People can always choose how far they want to go
between columns and help compose the view even with this style.
further. The cantilevering slab of the concrete shell
beyond the windows creates a smooth transition into a • Focus on object- Minimalism doesn’t have to getting
rid of everything but choosing what matters, allowing
verandah. more peace, space and freedom.
 This house incorporates only three materials in a vow
to maintain the purity of space and also as a critical • Well lit spaces through large openings.
stand opposed to the current trends of using almost
infinite number of false materials and artificial finishes • Balanced, clean and visually satisfying composition.
whereas all of this is achieved in a single R.C.C slab,
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Compendia Architectura
• Minimalist architecture promotes the idea of truth of
materials just like minimalist living’s truth of life.
Limited palette of material is provided to give each
material more limelight for appreciation.

• Indian minimalism though follows the principle of

minimalism but also spice it up by using cultural
materials and spaces. Hence, Indian minimalism can
also be termed as the marriage of simplicity of
minimalism and cultural elegance of India.
5 References

 https://spyrestudios.com/minimalist-design-a-
brief-history-and-practical-tips/
 https://issuu.com/aminaizatdesign/docs/mini
malist_architecture
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/minimalist-
architecture-history-characteristics.html
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/minimalist-
architecture-history-characteristics.html
 http://www.yr-architecture.com/5-
characteristics-of-modern-minimalist-house-
designs/
 https://www.fabmodula.com/elements-of-
minimalism-less-is-more.html
 https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/the-
art-of-indian-minimalism/
 http://www.yr-architecture.com/5-
characteristics-of-modern-minimalist-house-
designs/
 https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/6881/mini
malism-mental-health/
 https://www.archdaily.com/101260/ad-
classics-church-of-the-light-tadao-
ando?ad_medium=gallery
 https://www.archdaily.com/59412/ad-classics-
seagram-building-mies-van-der-rohe
 https://www.archdaily.com/225365/copper-
house-ii-studio-mumbai
 https://www.archdaily.com/772520/panorama
-house-ajay-sonar