Contemporary architecture is a term used almost synonymously with “modern architecture,” and while for many conversational purposes, this fluidity works. But at the heart of it – these are two different terms and understanding the simple nuance can be really helpful when building a new home.
In this article, I will walk you through the top 5 benefits of contemporary architecture as it relates to residential design, but I also want to spend just a little bit of time talking about modern architecture, contemporary architecture, and where they came from.
Not to dive deep into art history per se, but I see so much joy in my clients when their understanding of this architecture has a bit more nuance to it than just a design style with 90-degree angles and white walls with lots of glass.
Contemporary Architecture Vs. Modern Architecture (What’s the Difference?)
Let’s start with modern architecture since it comes first on the timeline. Modern architecture is a response to industrialization and productivity, with a core belief being that form follows function, and that architecture is a “machine for living.”
Think about that for a second. We moved from Classical to Colonial to Victorian – all styles that favored ornamentation – yet by the turn of the century, we were ready for radical change. Humanity was looking to be future-forward. This idea of “modernism” was all about simplicity, efficiency that drove results, and a push to overturn traditional, predictable, and symmetrical elements of style in favor of their opposites
Over the last 100 years, modern architecture evolved through several subsets in style (Art Deco, Mid-century, Scandinavian, and more). But no matter what label those modern design narratives have, you can line them up and see similarities in functionality and aesthetic.
Again, the core purpose – efficiency.
Now that said, modern architecture may have leaned into concrete and clinical starkness a bit too much for most people’s taste, which is why lots of people first come to think of this design style as “cold” and “uninviting.”
But that’s exactly what contemporary architecture has helped address.
First of all, contemporary architecture is not an official historical style, and while the word causes some historians and architects to cringe, it is a warmer and more approachable term for homeowners, designers, and the public in general.
Contemporary architecture is quite literally the style of the present day, which, while often grounded in modern design, is not pedantic, and allows the freedom to bring in outside elements
Contemporary design is grounded in how we lead our lives right now, which if anything is a complex mixture of technologies and forward thinking in conjunction with lifestyles that are casual and less formal, with an undercurrent of comfort
For us contemporary architecture is all about combining warm, casual, livable elements with a modernist sense of space, light, and form in a way that perfectly suits living right now
This is why we love contemporary architecture so much at our firm. There is a playfulness and freedom of expression that is specific to the individual looking to occupy the space.
So on the one hand, we embrace the cleanliness and intuitive functionality that modern architecture offers but we recognize that human beings aren’t machines!
We certainly appreciate a life free of clutter – but not devoid of personality.
At Sven Lavine Architecture, contemporary design is all about creating a one-of-a-kind living experience that helps facilitate the specific lifestyle of our clients. So let’s switch gears now that we’ve explored the difference between contemporary architecture vs. modern architecture and let’s see how this design style helps make life better.
Contemporary Architecture Benefit #5: Warmth
One of the greatest advantages of contemporary architecture is its embrace of diverse materials and individual expression. Where modernism imposed steel, glass, and concrete as the holy trinity, contemporary design opens the palette to include warm woods, natural stone, textured metals, and even unexpected elements that reflect who you are.
Material selection in contemporary architecture becomes a conversation about identity. If you’re someone who values craftsmanship, we might incorporate hand-finished wood elements or artisan tilework. If you’re drawn to industrial aesthetics, exposed steel beams and polished concrete can become features rather than compromises. The contemporary approach doesn’t demand that every home look the same – it favors diversity and insists that your home look like you.
This is where contemporary architecture diverges most dramatically from its modern predecessor. The rigid doctrine of “form follows function” expands to include “form follows personality.” Your home becomes a three-dimensional expression of your values, interests, and the life you want to live.
Contemporary Architecture Benefit #4: Sustainability
Contemporary architecture has evolved to embrace environmental responsibility as a core principle, not an afterthought. Modern building systems and materials allow us to create homes that actively reduce their environmental impact while improving comfort and lowering operating costs.
Solar integration (and at the very least, solar-readiness) in contemporary design goes beyond panels bolted to roofs. We’re designing roof angles and orientations that maximize energy capture while maintaining aesthetic integrity. Passive cooling strategies use strategic window placement and thermal mass to reduce reliance on air conditioning – particularly effective in California’s climate.
Features like rainwater collection, greywater systems, and high-performance insulation get incorporated seamlessly into contemporary architecture. These aren’t additions that compromise design – they’re integral to how the home functions. Energy-efficient systems mean lower utility bills, but more importantly, they mean your home works with the environment rather than against it.
It’s also worth noting that climate change and fire event survivability is a key to sustainable design – it’s not just about reducing carbon footprints.
Your home needs to be ready to live in today’s dynamic world with roofing systems that can act as a shield, while your pool can be used for fire suppression (when city systems fail or become overwhelmed).
Contemporary Architecture Benefit #3: Functionality
The most “modern” thing about contemporary architecture might be its obsession with eliminating wasted space. Every square foot needs to earn its place through functionality, and clever storage solutions become integral to the design rather than afterthoughts.
In contemporary homes, we’re designing storage that disappears into walls, staircases that double as display areas or work spaces, and furniture that serves multiple purposes. Built-in cabinetry gets positioned exactly where you need it, designed around how you actually live rather than following some generic template.
This utility-focused approach means contemporary architecture works especially well for urban environments where space comes at a premium. We’re constantly asking: does this hallway need to be this wide? Could this dead corner become a reading nook? Can we build vertical storage that doesn’t feel cramped?
The result is homes that feel significantly larger than their square footage suggests. When every element serves a purpose and storage is thoughtfully integrated throughout, you’re not fighting clutter or wishing you had more room. Contemporary architecture creates the functional efficiency that modernism promised, but with the warmth and livability that makes it actually enjoyable.
Contemporary Architecture Benefit #2: Flow
Natural light transforms how we experience spaces, and contemporary architecture treats it as a fundamental design element rather than an amenity. Large windows, clerestory openings, and skylights allow daylight to flow deep into floor plans, reducing energy costs while improving mood and productivity.
The flow that contemporary architecture provides goes beyond just brightness. Strategic window placement frames views, creates visual connections between spaces, and brings the outside world into your daily experience. You’re not looking at walls – you’re looking at your garden, your city, your slice of sky – the world you’re connected to – not just because you’ve got a smartphone nearby.
Floor-to-ceiling glass, when positioned correctly, doesn’t sacrifice privacy. Contemporary design uses landscaping, strategic angles, and smart glass technology to maintain seclusion while maximizing natural light. The goal is to feel connected to your environment without feeling exposed.
This emphasis on flow extends to movement through the home. Open floor plans in contemporary architecture create a sense of openness, allowing space to flow from the kitchen to the living areas to outdoor spaces. Parents can supervise kids while cooking. You can engage with guests throughout the home. The contemporary approach understands that openness creates connection.
Contemporary Architecture Benefit #1: Livability
Finally, the single greatest benefit of contemporary architecture is how it facilitates the way people actually live today. Open floor plans aren’t just aesthetic choices – they’re responses to how today’s families interact, work from home, and entertain.
Contemporary design creates spaces and features that flow naturally between activities. Your kitchen becomes the social hub where cooking, homework, and conversation happen simultaneously. Living areas transition seamlessly to outdoor spaces, effectively doubling your entertainment capacity for much of the year in California’s climate.
The livability of contemporary architecture shows up in how the home responds to your daily rhythms. Morning routines flow smoothly through well-planned spaces. Work-from-home areas provide focus without isolation. Evening entertaining happens organically because the layout encourages it rather than fighting it.
This is where contemporary architecture delivers on its promise most completely. By understanding how you actually live – your work patterns, your family dynamics, your social habits – we can design spaces that enhance rather than complicate your daily experience. The home becomes a tool that supports your life rather than something you have to work around.
Is Contemporary Architecture Right For You?
If you’re drawn to spaces that feel both sophisticated and welcoming, if you value design that reflects your personality while serving practical needs, contemporary architecture might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The clients who thrive with contemporary design are those who want homes that can work as hard as they do – spaces that are beautiful without being precious, functional without being boring, and personal without being cluttered.
At Sven Lavine Architecture, we specialize in creating contemporary homes that respond to how you actually want to live. Through our Design Discovery Sessions, we explore not just what you want your home to look like, but how you want to experience it every single day.
Ready to explore what contemporary architecture could mean for your project? Let’s have a conversation about creating spaces that enhance your daily life while expressing who you are.