There is no better example of timelessness than the homes and buildings we build. Timeless architecture, such as those made by renowned names like Peter Zumthor, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Tadao Ando, exudes a sense of eternity and a feeling of being right for their place now and forever.

With that said, what makes these structures evoke these feelings in the beholder? What makes timeless architecture, well, ‘timeless’, and what are the merits of striving for it in home design?

A unique home brings an intimate quality like no other. But as many know, designing and building a home from the ground up requires a significant investment beyond the financial aspect. Out of respect for the time, money, effort, and land involved, it only makes sense to aim for permanence that withstands the test of time, cherished so in the many years to come.

 

Understanding Timeless Design

Simply put, timeless design is born from designing with intention and persistence in mind. We all get an emotional charge from the development of the buildings around us.

Intentional, thoughtful, and functional – these words perfectly encapsulate what makes a timeless design. Below, we look at the qualities that each timeless architecture possesses.

 

Qualities of Timeless Design

 

Strong sense of place

A strong sense of place is reflected in the home living in harmony with the location and ageing in its place. This occurs when the structure responds to the features of the site and its surroundings, such as blending in with the terrain or framing picturesque sceneries. The home exhibits the essence of its setting by framing views, capturing light, and blurring the boundary with the exterior, strengthening its connection with the outdoors.

Next, ageing in place means timeless design also responds to its surroundings. Timelessness considers how the materials will behave and the weathering process in improving the architecture as time goes on. Over the years, sunlight and weather conditions will significantly affect and transform the structure’s appearance. Hence, an exceptional design should be capable of withstanding the elements in the long run.

 

Durable materials

Timeless design boasts remarkable longevity as it deals not just with the past but also with the future. Therefore, a home of such design is guaranteed to be valuable for its current owners and those who will succeed them. This permanence is achieved through honest and robust materials.

Robust building materials and methods come in many shapes and sizes, but it is pivotal to choose those that can not only last in general but also do so within the context of the project.

Timeless homes leverage natural materials in their honest state (authentic stone and wood), which evoke perpetuity, display traces of workmanship of the building process, and retain unique variances and minor errors during construction. These qualities impart authenticity to the architecture.

 

Adherence to the Principles of Architecture

The principles of architecture, such as scale, rhythm, proportion, and other relationships, are rooted in timeless designs and easily discernible in our built and natural environments. These patterns are recognisable in our homes and buildings as our eyes are naturally drawn to their order – repetition of structural elements like windows, the scale of the structure in its surrounding context, and so on.

With that said, proportioning systems can extend further than aesthetics by providing connections, spatial order, and relationships that help us better appreciate and understand a structure.

 

Conclusion

Achieving timeless designs is no easy feat, requiring much time and patience for the ideas to flow and evolve. Nevertheless, the result is well worth it as it is client-tailored, thoughtful, deliberate, and site-specific, making it special now and in the future.

With the help of an established architecture company in Singapore, you, too, can realise such timelessness in your projects. You can think of residential architects in Singapore as problem-solvers, armed with the expertise and creativity to bring your ideas to life. If you have a design in mind, hiring an architect should be your next step. Simply speak your thoughts and leave the rest of the work to them.