Which of These 5 Radical Architectural Styles Do You like Most?

Architectural history is spanned by periods during which the world's foremost designers introduced radical concepts. Perhaps every new architectural concept was radical for its time, but these days, certain types of architectural styles are considered conservative and staid and are not considered radical by modern standards.

Victorian architecture is so prevalent in this country that most of us associate it with U.S. home construction. Victorian houses are still being constructed today along with colonials, bungalows, etc. Yet every once in a while, you find an architectural firm willing to push the envelope.

With that said, here are five radical types of architecture still being practiced today. Do you have a favorite among them?

1. ART DECO

The Art Deco style was birthed in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. It had spread all across Europe and to the U.S. by the 1930s. Art Deco eventually went by the wayside as a result of rebuilding following World War II, but it still has its fans. It features plenty of geometric shapes including chevrons and florals. Building materials include stucco, chrome, stainless steel, and terracotta. And of course, Art Deco design loves deep and bright colors.

2. BAUHAUS

Established by German architect Walter Gropius, Bauhaus is a form of architecture that starts with function and then translates to form. Bauhaus buildings are simplistic in every way. They tend to be designed around simple shapes with a big focus on the most efficient use of space from a practical standpoint. Aesthetically, they are almost the exact opposite of Art Deco.

3. BRUTALIST

If Bauhaus is not industrial enough for you, consider Brutalist architecture. This type of architecture is characterized by large, bold concrete structures. Lines are simple and shapes limited. External beauty is also eschewed in favor of the brutal honesty of a concrete aesthetic. Buildings designed from this mindset tend to be large, bulky, and very heavy-looking. Brutalist design is often considered something you either love or loathe.

4. MODERN

Though modern and contemporary architecture are often mistaken for the same thing, they are not. Modern architecture refers to a type of design created by greats like Frank Lloyd Wright during the early-to-mid-20th century. Like Bauhaus design, modern architecture prefers function over form. However, Wright proved he could incorporate both seamlessly.

One of the things that makes modern distinct from contemporary is its defined nature. You can look at a Wright home and know it was built at some point during the first half of the 20th century. It will feature large rooms, straight lines, and what might seem like an excessive amount of storage.

5. CONTEMPORARY

We save contemporary for the last because it is something that we specialize in. Contemporary architecture is modern in the sense that it shows deference to current design trends and preferences. The one thing that makes it unique from the modern architectural style of the 20th century is that it does not pay homage to any particular architectural period that came before it.

Contemporary design is design for the here and now. Today's contemporary is about open spaces, natural light, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Aesthetically, it is about designing homes that look as though they were birthed from the natural environment.

The most daring architects have always pushed the envelope with their designs. The best of such radical designs have legacies that last for a long time because they are so radical. But that's what makes them so inviting.