“Studies show how our mind and body are calmed when surrounded by natural materials in architecture. “As human beings, we have a fundamental connection with natural materials that transcend cultural preferences as we are an integral part of nature,” explains Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects, who embraces the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi (which emphasises nature and all its imperfections) in his minimalist interiors. While minimalism in the 80s and even 90s interiors sometimes appeared rather sleek and cold (some would say artificial), today’s minimalist spaces tend to embrace a warmer, more natural palette. This brings us to minimalism’s neutral palette, often anchored by shades of white. Many open plan kitchen extensions now adhere to these principles, with overhead windows and a sparse palette. Like the principles of Scandinavian design, there is a focus on natural light, open layouts, and craftsmanship. Embracing the art movement’s focus on simple geometry, you’ll find plenty of right-angles alongside the occasional organic form. Interiors are uncompromisingly spare with no traces of clutter and limited, purposeful objects. They are most known for clean lines and simple, sculptural forms. Minimalist spaces are deceptively refined. (Image credit: Norm Architects) WHAT DOES A MINIMALIST SPACE LOOK LIKE? The late Christian Liaigre may well have cemented the interiors movement with a signature sparseness in redesigns of New York City’s Mercer Hotel, noted for its sleek furniture rendered in dark woods or upholstered in white linen (his name is often associated with a coterie that includes Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang). The result was austere minimalism, driven by clean lines (simple was chic) that made their mark in formative architecture by John Pawson. After the bold and brash aesthetics of the 80s, the 90s had their own revolt by exercising restraint. Naturally, the art movement gained traction throughout the design world. Rejecting excess, they created art that revealed simple geographic shapes and the form itself. While the minimalist aesthetic has traditional roots in Japan's Zen Buddhism and even Scandinavian design (now seen today in beautiful beige living room ideas), a conscious minimalist movement began to emerge in the 1960s when a group of artists - Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, and others - moved against Abstract Expressionism and focused on materiality. In our opinion, minimalism is also a way of life and a philosophy rather than a style or a trend in decoration.” WHERE DID MINIMALISM COME FROM? “It is all about proportions and materials and is often much more complex than it looks. “Minimalist design is defined by a great simplicity of lines that allow you to immediately understand the function of the space or the object,” say Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann of Paris’ Heju Studio. And like in transitional style, expect monochromatic palettes, strikingly spare interiors, and clean lines. Similar to many of the ideas seen in Scandinavian design, In effect, minimalist designs are purified spaces that are timeless and pared down. “When someone walks into a house, or a gallery or a monastery I have designed, it is the atmosphere I want them to experience, before they start registering the details of the architecture.” “As an architect, I’m interested in the emotional quality of a space,” says John Pawson, undoubtedly today’s foremost minimalist architect and interior designer.
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