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What is Minimalism? The Era of Less is More

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Leonardo Da Vinci once said: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Today, Minimalism style is being embraced by the "minimalist" world. choice. So Minimalism style What is it? Let's explore the information below. XHOME about design style This in art, architecture, interior, in minimalism & the characteristics of this style!

What is Minimalism? In art, architecture, interiors & works.

Minimalism, also known as Minimalism, reflecting various trends in art, especially in visual art and music, where works were reduced to their most essential elements. This style began to appear in Western art after World War II, most clearly in the paintings of Mark Rothko.

The concept of minimalism gradually expanded to include trends in music characterized by repetition, such as the works of Steve Reich, Philip Glass and Terry Riley.

  • Minimalism is an art movement that flourished in the 60s and 70s in America, bringing sophistication and adherence to principles. less is more – less is more.
  • Minimalism style It has now spread throughout Europe, strongly influencing many other interior trends and styles. In Asia, it first appeared in Japan, which is considered the master of minimalist style.

Minimalism in art

Mark Rothko in Minimalist Visual Art
Mark Rothko in Minimalist Visual Art

Minimalism in music

derived from the purity and brevity of Modernism, combined with Postmodernism, and is seen as a reaction against Expressionism both in content and structure of the work.

Portrait Of Steve Reich
Portrait Of Steve Reich

Minimalism in painting

Stephen Michael Reich (/ˈraɪʃ/;[1] born October 3, 12) is an American musician. He, along with La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass, played a major role in the development of minimalist music in the 1936s.

Uffington White Horse
The Uffington White Horse in Minimalist Art

The Uffington White Horse is a giant 110 m (8 ft) long figure carved out of white limestone. It is located in Uffington, England, XNUMX km (XNUMX mi) south of Faringdon. The hill is part of the Berkshire Downs and overlooks the surrounding area.

The drawing is best viewed from above or from nearby villages. The area is managed by the National Trust and is an important archaeological site. According to The Guardian in 2003, the Uffington White Horse has been preserved for over 3.000 years as a minimalist work of art. It is the oldest white horse in Britain, with a design that is different from other images.

Minimalism style (Minimalism style) in minimalism?

Minimalism is an art movement that began in the West after World War II, primarily in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists such as Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, and Frank Stella are well known for this movement. It was a reaction against abstract expressionism and modernism, and led to later contemporary art movements.

In music, minimalism is often characterized by repetition and gradual change, as in the works of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The term has also been used to describe the plays of Samuel Beckett and the films of Robert Bresson. More recently, “minimalism” has come to mean something simple or essential.

work by Steve Reich and Philip Glass.
Art by Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

Minimalism also applies to design and architecture, where elements are stripped down to their essentials. Architects focus on the relationship between light and space and eliminate complex shapes. Minimalist architecture emerged in the late 1980s in London and New York, when designers incorporated simple elements such as white and minimal furniture.

Minimalist design was inspired by traditional Japanese architecture. De Stijl’s work developed the basic concepts of form and line. Some “minimalist” designs are not actually quite so simple due to their large size and more expensive materials.

It has been argued that minimalism reflects a reaction against urban chaos, as in Japan in the 1980s. This design helps to solve problems caused by urbanization and natural disasters. Minimalist philosophy has been present in Japanese culture through Zen Buddhism and has brought spiritual influence to the design movement.

Minimalism style era less is more?

Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe with the motto “Less is more” created the impression of extreme simplicity by using functional elements for multiple purposes.

The concept of minimalist architecture is to reduce everything to its core qualities to achieve simplicity. It is not about the absence of decoration but about reducing every detail to the minimum. Elements such as light, space and materials are considered to create a pure atmosphere and a sense of order.

The idea of ​​simplicity is also expressed in the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which emphasizes the humble quality and beauty in simplicity.

The sand garden at Ryōan-ji is a prime example of consideration in empty space.
The sand garden at Ryōan-ji is a prime example of consideration in empty space.

The sand garden at Ryōan-ji is a prime example of consideration in empty space.

The Ma principle in Japanese aesthetics emphasizes empty space, eliminating unnecessary walls. This spatiality helps focus on the most essential nature of architecture.

Tadao Ando is a Japanese minimalist architect.
Tadao Ando is a Japanese minimalist architect.

Tadao Ando is a Japanese minimalist architect who emphasizes the connection between nature and architecture. He uses simple materials to achieve a sense of elegance in his designs. Kazuyo Sejima is also known for his iconic and innovative works.

John Pawson is a British architect who focuses on minimalism, light, and order. He uses natural materials to create depth in space. Calvin Klein Madison Avenue is an example of interior design his simplicity

John Pawson is a British minimalist architect.
John Pawson is a British minimalist architect.
John Pawson is a British minimalist architect.
John Pawson is a British minimalist architect.

Alberto Campo Baeza, a Spanish architect, values ​​light and space, designing according to minimalist principles to achieve harmony.4

Alberto Campo Baeza, a Spanish architect, values ​​light and space, designing according to minimalist principles to achieve harmony.
Alberto Campo Baeza, a Spanish architect, values ​​light and space, designing according to minimalist principles to achieve harmony.

Architecture & interior What is special about this style?

What is special about this style of architecture?
What is special about this style of architecture?

In architecture, this concept translates into building rational structures, using space intelligently, and paying attention to layout and materials. Modern architecture has seen the development of this view, with many architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, who advocated simplicity and integration with the environment, although with a different approach.

Minimalist architecture focuses on space.

It creates a clean, airy and light-filled space. The simplicity of design and materials helps to focus on the space, making it the central part of the building. The space in minimalist architecture is balanced, pure, formed from flat surfaces and simple lines.

Minimalist architecture is in harmony with nature, although it can have a dry appearance. However, the essence of architecture is not only in the appearance, but also requires an open mind to explore. Homeowners and architects need to understand themselves to create a house that truly connects with them.

Minimalism creates a sense of tranquility. It is related to traditional Japanese culture and Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes the importance of silence. Minimalist architecture blends with Japanese culture, creating a Zen-like space.

Lighting is an important element in minimalist architecture. Natural light enhances the aesthetic and emotional value of a space. Lighting design should emphasize key elements, creating visual effects through windows, glass walls and structures. Artificial lighting is also carefully considered to shape the space and interior.

Frank Lloyd Wright, an advocate of simplicity and integration with the environment, took a different approach.
Frank Lloyd Wright, an advocate of simplicity and integration with the environment, took a different approach.

The principle of “Less is more” in Minimalism style

In industrial and graphic design, the principle of “less is more” is expressed in minimalist style, using few colors and eliminating unnecessary details. Minimalism in graphic design uses negative space and a limited color palette to create a strong impression. In industrial design, products are often beautiful in form and highly functional, with few components and materials used efficiently.

Minimalism in soft color tones
Minimalism in soft color tones
Minimalism in soft color tones
Minimalism in soft color tones
Minimalism in soft color tones
Minimalism in soft color tones

Up to now, minimalist style has become a popular design trend in many places around the world. If you are looking for a suitable idea for your small house, follow the trends below that XHOME shares:

Minimalism in soft color tones

Main colorBackground color
Accent color
Color scheme 1BlackWhiteNatural wood color
Color scheme 2WhiteBlackLight wood color
Color scheme 3BlackGrayWhite
Color scheme 4Write theWhiteBlack
  • 60% main color: 60% of this color is used for walls, area rugs, furniture, and large-scale furnishings.
  • 30% background color Should be used for secondary walls, doors, curtains...
  • 10% spot color Accents should be used for decorative objects that need to stand out and attract attention, such as wall paintings, vases or works of art...

Minimalism style combines delicately with light tones, giving the homeowner a simple but equally warm space. All furniture is arranged in balance from tables, chairs, lamps to small decorative objects. The lines are simplified, reducing all unnecessary details to create a harmonious and simple whole. The spacious and airy space is shown through minimizing the number of furniture in the house.

Minimalism in soft color tones
Minimalism in soft color tones

With white as the main color, the space becomes bright and filled with natural light. Brown is used as an accent, combined with elegant white tones to create warmth and eye-catching aesthetics. The sophistication of this style is also shown through the materials and shapes. All are carefully selected so as not to contain too many interior materials or mix confusing color tones.

Interior space filled with light

In Minimalism design style, space always prioritizes taking advantage of natural light sources. This not only brings ventilation but also highlights the unique lines of the interior, creating a sophisticated and modern architecture.

  • Soft white light: Color temperature from 3000K - 4500K is a cool white range, safe for the eyes, suitable for Minimalism style.
  • Natural light: This is the cool light range, often referred to as “daylight” or “natural white light”, with a color temperature ranging from 5000K – 6700K.
Completed handover of MASTERI WATERFRONT Apartment
Interior space filled with light

The large window systems are carefully selected to maximize the natural light from the outside. Thanks to that, the living space becomes more comfortable and fresh than ever. The main white tone makes the room more spacious. The combination with dark furniture such as black, brown or dark blue creates subtle accents, highlighting the beauty of every detail in the space.

Rustic and cozy design trends

Interior design Minimalism is characterized by the use of wood and brown tones. Wood, especially natural oak, is widely used to make columns, floors and shelves in this minimalist space. Not only does it provide durability and stability, but it also combines to create a simple beauty.

Rustic and cozy design trends
Rustic and cozy design trends

The ivory sofa set makes a strong impression and adds harmony to the living room. The warm color of the sofa blends with the wooden material, creating a comfortable and family-like resting space. The natural light through the window also dispels the cold feeling, creating a pleasant and friendly living environment.

Elegant design with gray tones

In this Minimalism style, the lines of the interior are radically simplified, highlighting the simplicity and harmony of the overall structure. The gray tone not only makes the room luxurious but also creates a gentle color design. Large wall paintings are used to create accents, helping the space avoid monotony and bring liveliness. The selected furniture has a size corresponding to the overall structure, minimizing the space and creating comfort.

Completed handover of MASTERI WATERFRONT Apartment
Elegant design with gray tones

This design not only makes the room more spacious, but also optimizes the area thoroughly. Therefore, this trend becomes ideal for small spaces, making use of every area intelligently and effectively.

XHOME Saigon – Interior design and construction

XHOME Saigon belongs to XHOME Group with 16 branches nationwide. Confidence is the company No. 1 interior design and construction in Vietnam on market share, human resources, quantity & quality of projects. Typical areas include design, construction, interior and architectural renovation, construction project management services, build a house package profession.

  • Phone: 0899199786
  • Address: Floor 12.B1 – REE Tower, No. 9, Doan Van Bo Street – Xom Chieu Ward – Ho Chi Minh City
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XHOME Sai Gon Marketing Team

XHOME Sai Gon Marketing Team is the editorial team and responsible for the content of this website. We consult and receive professional advice from the team of experienced Architects, Engineers, and Interior Designers at XHOME Sai Gon, to bring the most useful information to customers, partners and readers.

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