Modern/Contemporary Houses In Tropical Countries

Modern and contemporary style houses have made their way across the globe, including tropical countries. But what are contemporary houses? Are they the same as modern houses and how do they perform in tropical countries? 

What Is Modern and Contemporary Architecture?

Modern architecture is a style of architecture that gained popularity around the early to mid-1900s. This style had a stripped back, no-frills aesthetic. It took away decorative elements that existed in the previous styles of architecture.

Contemporary architecture typically refers to architecture that reflects the current look or style at the moment. As such, it does not have a specific design aesthetic. It borrows from whatever is popular at the current time. Hence, it can change and evolve, unlike the modern style.

Therefore, in architectural terms, modern architecture does not use the dictionary definition of the word modern. That would be contemporary. Modern architecture is about a hundred years old.

However, this can be confusing. Hence, these two terms often refer to the same thing for most non-architects and designers.

Usually, when we think of modern or contemporary houses, the image that comes to mind is flat concrete roofs and large picture windows. We imagine lots of glass, plain white walls and little to no decorative elements.

---

But is this style of architecture suited in our tropical context?

---

Performance And Characteristics In Tropical Countries

Modern architecture focuses on the function of the space. It disregards any decorative elements or special treatments to the facades. Architecture is brought down to its purest form and expression.

Another aspect of modernism was its ability to fit in anywhere. It did not adopt any regional or cultural aspects of a specific region. Hence, modern architecture could be transplanted anywhere.

Homes that followed the modern architectural style lacked specific functionality that related to the climate, site and culture of the place.

Response To Climate

Modern architecture originated and quickly gained popularity across Europe and America. These works primarily existed in temperate climates. As such, these homes and buildings tended to disregard the climate. They were heavily dependent on mechanical ventilation strategies.

Buildings were often completely sealed off and had few or no operable windows. Sealed off buildings are necessary for temperate climates. Much of the year has extremely cold temperatures.

However, milder temperatures in tropical climates mean that there would not be as great a need for mechanical ventilation.

Related: Learn about Tropical Modernism, which is modern architecture more suited for the tropics.

Site and Terrain

Part of the charm of modern architecture was they could be placed anywhere.

They were usually designed for a flat site, whether the actual site was flat or not. Often sites were cleared and levelled to create a flat area to place the building. This was not necessarily unique to modern buildings since some previous styles responded the same way.

However, in the era of increased environmental awareness, it is better to respect and respond to the natural slope of the site.

What was good about modernist homes is they attempted to connect more with the natural environment around them. Large, glazed openings and very often, entire glass walls were used. This created a stronger connection to the outdoor environment than some of the preceding European styles.

Materials and Construction Methods

The modern movement occurred because of the advancement in building and construction technology. Materials such as reinforced concrete, steel and glass were starting to be used in new, innovative ways.

Architects and builders were starting to push the limits of what these materials could do. Their growing popularity spread across the world.

However, this meant that locally sourced materials such as wood, stone and earth started to lose their popularity. The local craftsmen who also worked these materials also started to become obsolete.

Unfortunately, in tropical countries, these replacement materials often did not perform as well as their less sophisticated predecessors.

Concrete walls stored and released more heat than timber or mud composite walls like “wattle and daub” (which used woven sticks and mud).

Glass replaced timber louvred or jalousie windows.

However, glass allows heat to get in but is hard to get out. Not an ideal situation in tropical climates.

Colour And Decoration

Many cultures have used colour and decorative elements to characterise some aspects of their identity. In art, fashion and architecture was this seen.

However, with the complete stripping away of all unnecessary decoration, it also took away peculiar, identifying characteristics of the region it is in. This, along with the lack of colour or warm tones of wood and stone, diminished the cultural references of a place and its people.

I am not suggesting that cultural identity cannot evolve and modernise. However, I believe that the character of our home designs could sometimes be strengthened with some cultural references.

Conclusion

The terms, modern and contemporary houses are often used by non-architects to describe homes that have a clean aesthetic and pure forms.

However, it often disregards the climate and culture of the place it is being located. They are heavily dependent on air-conditioning and heating.

They typically alter the natural slope of the site to accommodate the home.

The increased popularity of innovative materials and construction practices reduced the use of traditional materials. However, traditional materials were more efficient and suited for the climate.

Cultural references also seemed to dwindle with the removal of decorative elements and colour.

Modern/contemporary style houses can be beautifully designed and crafted. The minimalist appearance can be very appealing.

However, as with tropical modern, I think that house designs should use strategies that reference the climate, site and culture in some way.

Feature image by Pixasquare on Unsplash