Minimalism and sustainability

It is clear, that current architecture is the result of numerous artistic movements and social changes that have given it a versatile character. The thirst to make a responsible use of resources joins the need to generate increasingly bright spaces which will allow us to comfortably inhabit the natural space.

The growing use of unprocessed materials is due to an incessant search for austerity typical of the minimalist language, a trend often understood as a more ecological life philosophy. From Minimal Studio, we invite you to discover the similarities that bring these two terms closer together until they become synonyms.  

The design of a responsible life

Minimalism as a philosophy transcends architecture, revaluing the priorities of individuals and eliminating the superfluous. From this perspective, the intention of prioritizing the use of physical space is simply another way to transform our lifestyles. This way, it is possible to evolve in step with the natural process of things, breaking with business as usual of unnecessary consumerism.

But sustainability goes much further than eliminating what we don't need from our home. We seek sustainability in our food by consuming local or seasonal products and in our closet with more eco-friendly clothing. We can also approach a sustainable way of life by making use of renewable energies and materials that are respectful of the environment. This is where the study of sustainable and minimalist architecture becomes relevant.

Sustainable architecture seeks not only to use the appropriate techniques and materials during the construction process, but also to study the natural conditions of the construction site. By doing so, we could minimize the negative impact that may arise from it and we will be able to conserve in a more effective way by considering how the energy will be used for the structure.

Energy efficiency will therefore be a fundamental value throughout the life span of the buildings
we create, allowing design to function in tune with its environment rather than against it. To that end, the initial land inspection involves certain considerations that can even lead to cost savings, allowing the building to capture or generate its own energy.

Minimal details

While it is true that the minimalist lifestyle can be a simple trend, the truth is that its essence seeks comfort and sustainability in equal parts. This is demonstrated by the project carried out in the Arctic by Luca Gentilcore, for LEAPfactory, where the materials and facilities were designed to reduce the energy consumed to a minimum until achieving a high level of comfort and warmth.

This results an architecture of simple language, clean lines and pure colors. In this way, minimalism helps the environment reducing our needs until it means the use of fewer resources.

The minimalist atmosphere, for its part, bets on simple and practical elements in necessary quantity. Stone walls painted in neutral colors and other rustic materials such as glass, insulated concrete or steel complete a perfect tandem of furniture and space.
“An architecture of simple language, clean lines and pure colors”.
In its beginnings, minimal art stood out because of works of painters and sculptors such as Robert Mangold, Reinhardt or Dan Flavin. However, the movement was projected in the search for an architecture, design and lifestyle more aligned with abstraction, dematerialization, order, balance, or simplicity. In this field, the works of the De Stijl artistic movement sought to integrate art in a clear reference to order and simplicity, developing projects based on the "creative" elements of construction: light, function, materials, volume, time, space, color.

As we can see, the utopian search for a lifestyle based on simplicity comes from far, far beyond the “less is more” of Van der Rohe. Therefore, it is necessary to take a moment to discover the origins of both currents, their characteristics and purposes. Perhaps this way we will find the perfect balance for our day to day.