This week, we are talking about one of our favorite architectural styles- modernism! What is modernism? It’s an aesthetic that was coined in the 1920’s by Swiss architect Le Corbusier. He designed buildings with clean lines, bright colors, and industrial influence.

Many consider his design to be very pure and minimalist, which is why his style has become so popular today. In fact, many say his look can even feel cold at times.

However, he intended for his designs to emphasize unity, as well as functionality. They wanted to create a feeling of “everything comes together here, this is where all the action happens.” And now you know someone else who felt this way!

Overall, these qualities make his work quite unique. Many have adapted his style to fit their own personal taste, creating a variety of looks within it.

Austin Architecture

As we continue to see, architecture is an ever-evolving field that explores how to achieve balance in space, time, and function. This balance can be seen as either internal or external depending on whether it creates tension or relaxation.

Internal tensions are ones that create stress for the viewer. A well designed house will have features such as a sloped roof with lots of gables, tall windows, exposed beams, etc. That effect is internal because it makes you feel stressed out due to all the hard edges and angles.

External tensions are ones that promote calmness. An example of this would be a beachfront property with a large deck overlooking the water.

The design should feature similar elements so that people can easily relate to them. For instance, a common element in beaches are shades or curtains that can be drawn closed during times when there’s no sun. A similarly styled room with doors or walls that could close off the space would make someone feel relaxed.

These types of designs need to go beyond just being interesting to look at, but also contribute towards making your home more peaceful.

Popular Austin Architects

When looking for an architect to work with, you want to make sure that they are willing to put in the effort needed to create your house or business vision.

It is very common to find yourself struggling as an entrepreneur to connect with your architect. This should not be happening!

As an architecture student, I know how difficult it can be to relate to people who are not students. But as an entrepreneur, this should be changing. You will spend lots of time working together so you need to at least like each other.

This article will talk about some popular architects in the Austin area and why you may want to consider hiring them.

What is the cost of an architect?

As we mentioned earlier, having an architect on your team is not free! However, most architects have very expensive “services” that they offer to their clients. These services typically include designing new buildings or renovations, drafting architectural documents, managing permit processes, making recommendations during construction, and even keeping up with changing technology for you to use in your business.

Mostly, these costs are built into the hourly rate that the architect charges their client. This price usually includes both professional time as well as legal time (for permits). But beyond those two components, there may be additional fees for things like computer software used to create designs, transportation expenses, etc.

Overall, these extra service costs can add up quickly. And since most firms has at least one attorney on staff, it often doesn't make sense to charge per hour when calculating how much money you'll spend on architecture. Instead, calculate the total budget using the total project hours multiplied by the architect's average hourly fee.

Finding an architect that you like is important

As with any profession, there are great architects and bad ones. Just as in other professions such as doctor or lawyer, there are some who lack professional etiquette and courtesy, and others who are very creative and bring unique visions to projects.

Some may feel too focused on their own personal style, which can be difficult for project deadlines and collaborations. This need not always been a negative thing, but it should be noted by potential clients.

If you find yourself struggling to decide if an architect is right for you, try one of our alternative tips here! If you must search for reviews about an architect, look for clear comments and evidence whether they’re outgoing and friendly, or if they keep to themselves.

A good way to evaluate an architect’s quality is how well they handle changes. An inexperienced architect will likely get upset when asked to make modifications to a design, but more experienced professionals will expect these alterations and even ask for feedback to help improve their work.

Know your taste

As with any style, there are many ways to design homes that look great to different people. When it comes down to it, you have to know yourself well before deciding how to decorate your home.

You will want to be clear about what types of styles appeal to you and why. For example, if you like simple clean lines, then looking at minimalist interior designs is something to try out.

Why? Because they reduce clutter and emphasize quality materials over decoration. It may also make you feel relaxed or calm which can help you unwind after a hard day.

If you’re more into bold colors, go through a color palette and find ones that match or compliment those in already! Or, choose shades that inspire relaxation or feeling good such as green, white, and gray.

There are several ways to evaluate whether or not an interior design looks authentic. For instance, does the furniture appear expensively made? Does everything seem to fit together nicely and aesthetically? If so, then it seems legitimate.

Also, do not underestimate the importance of being able to afford your decorations. Just because someone else owns something similar doesn’t mean it is worth buying unless you can afford it.

Visualize your dream home

When you first consider buying or renting an apartment, house, or condo, one of the most important things to do is visualize it as a place to live.

Does the space feel cozy and comfortable for you? Are there lots of windows and natural light? How about the shape and size of the rooms? Does everything seem in order and organized?

These are all qualities that matter when choosing where to reside. They’re also what people will look at when they talk about your house. If those things don’t appeal to them, then you might want to think twice about settling in here.

Another thing to check out is how close the apartments are to major modes of transportation like highways and buses. This way if you have kids or work commitments, you won’t be wasting too much time getting somewhere!

Good luck finding your perfect fit! We always receive compliments from our potential and current tenants on how beautiful and well-designed our buildings are. So give yourself some extra time to really soak in all the details before making a decision.

Plan your home based on your dreams

A house is not just a place to live; it’s an expression of who you are as a person. Your home should tell your story, both in materials and layout.

Your home’s interior design should reflect what matters to you – nature, culture, music, literature, etc. Why would anyone want to hang up a picture of their dog or flower pattern pillows when they could instead have a piece that reminds them of their passion for reading?

If you’re passionate about health and fitness, why wouldn’t you use natural resources to inspire your bedroom colors and decorations? Or if you love animals, how about using products made from recycled material?

By having a space that reflects yourself, you give yourself permission to be more creative and express yourself more freely. You’ll also find it easier to motivate yourself to maintain your lifestyle changes, because your own inner voice tells you “yes, I deserve this.”

It’s important to know whether or not we’re investing in things that will help us achieve our goals, but also whether or not these things are worth the money we’re spending. For example, buying a new mattress can easily cost over 1,000 dollars, which may seem like a good deal, but depending on which one you pick, it can hurt your wallet in other ways.

Consider the location

While looking for your new home, make sure to consider the location thoroughly. You want to be close to friends and family, as well as schools for your kids!

You don’t want to spend all of your time traveling back and forth from work every day, especially if you have children. If you love walking or running outside, look for homes within easy access to good parks and recreational facilities.

If you like having lots of space around you, look for a house with large yards, so you can enjoy outdoor activities such as gardening, sports, or just plain relaxation.

Running out of things to do in your home is another big reason to choose somewhere that offers many options beyond just sitting inside watching TV. A community center nearby, or even better, a local gym with exercise equipment and classes available are great ways to keep active.

Interior design is an important factor when choosing where to live. Make sure the rooms are organized and fit their purpose, and that there are no wasted spaces.

We spent several days driving through various areas in Texas, so we were able to check out different neighborhoods very easily. We also visited a number of houses, which gave us a more intimate feel for the area.