MashUp

Mashup 

Every landscape creates different needs. The term minimalism is… used to describe a trend in design and architecture wherein the subject is reduced to its necessary elements. Fehn co-opted the trees that stood on the site, and merged indoor and out, to create a design… which offers a refuge. Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe adopted the motto "Less is more" to describe his aesthetic tactic of arranging the numerous necessary components of a building to create an impression of extreme simplicity, by enlisting every element and detail to serve multiple visual and functional purposes. Glenn Murcutt is fond of quoting the Aboriginal proverb touch the earth lightly because it expresses his concern for nature. This paradox between architectural meaning and use sums up the constant struggle between content and container. Minimalist architecture simplifies living space to reveal the essential quality of buildings and conveys simplicity in attitudes toward life. "Life is not about maximizing everything, it's about giving something back - like light, space, form, serenity, joy" (Glenn Murcutt). It’s not size or bombast that counts…the best regarded designs are those that avoid making too much of national characteristics. In minimalism, the architectural designers pay special attention to the connection between perfect planes, elegant lighting, and careful consideration of the void spaces left by the removal of three-dimensional shapes from an architectural design. Prized for their energy efficiency, Glenn Murcutt's houses capitalize on natural light. Credibility comes with avoiding the obvious.

References

Jackie Craven “Build an Energy-Efficient House: Australian architect Glenn Murcutt shows how to build energy-efficient homes” About.com Architecture, Accessed on 15/06/13 at: http://architecture.about.com/od/buildyourhous1/a/murcuttbuild.htm

Deyan Sudjic “A White Cube in a Black Box: Denton Corker Marshall’s design for Australia’s new Venice Biennale pavilion” The Monthly, May 2012, No. 78, Accessed on 15/06/13 at: http://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2012/may/1336010035/deyan-sudjic/white-cube-black-box

Wikipedia “Minimalism” Accessed on 15/06/13 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalism