8 Most Known Materials Used in Modern Architecture

Updated on 2018-11-24

The modern architecture, a consequence of the industrial revolution evolved in response to new industrialized materials and technologies resulting in the plane and sleek facades shunting ornamentation and rejecting earlier traditional styles, materials, and techniques of construction. The material helps in attaining the physical form of a design. Building materiality is the only factor which is tangible in nature. And this tangible component offers a variety of intangible emotions and feelings that can be controlled by selecting the right material. For instance, the warm feeling offered by wood, an emotion of joy and comfort, or the cold feeling offered by the metals, or the raw feeling offered by concrete. Selection of appropriate material holds an equal share in designing when compared with aesthetics and functionality. Materials can transform the way space makes you feel.

Here, we discuss the most known materials making up the modern architecture that helps in showcasing different styles of architecture.

1. Concrete In Modern Architecture

The material that's the backbone of the modern architecture, concrete is composed of cement, fine and coarse aggregates bonded together in a fixed ratio. The compound can be easily molded into the desired form using the appropriate scaffolding, forming a column, beam, slab, foundation etc. The brutal material inspired one of the greatest architect Le Corbusier. The further research about concrete has led to the development of more materials like durable concrete, high-performance concrete, self-healing concrete, translucent concrete and bendable concrete.

use of concrete in modern architecture

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2. Brick In Modern Architecture

The brick blocks are like the Lego blocks which can be combined together to form creative masterpieces through innovative thinking and skilled craftsmanship. Despite the rigid form of a brick block, they have shown a wide variety and resulted in the formation of beautiful specimens over a course of time. The researchers these days are working towards transforming the small building material into a sustainable unit of building construction.

use of brick in modern architecture

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3.Steel In Modern Architecture

Steel is the material that can be used as a structural material as well as a visible material. Its property of withstanding tensile forces makes it an effective structural material, as an R.C.C. reinforcement as well as structural materials such as space frames, I-section beams, trusses etc. Additionally, it is used as window and door frames, handrails, balustrades, door handles, etc. Steel as a building material possess the qualities like durability, strength, lightweight, can be recycled, can withstand the variance in climatic conditions.

use of steel in modern architecture

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4. Glass In Modern Architecture

The modernistic material used to achieve transparency and light, the glass, is the most common façade element which offers both visibility as well as protection from the changing climate. The architecture specimens, the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe and the Glasshouse by Phillip Johnson justify the extent of the application of glass as a building material. The researchers have been able to develop the glass with a lower U-value, high thermal insulation property, which suits the environment and helps in decreasing the energy requirement of a building.

Also, read Why People Love Modern Architecture?

glass used in modern architecture

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5. Aluminum In Modern Architecture

Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal abundantly available. It is not readily available and is to be extracted from the bauxite ore. Possession of qualities like high strength to weight ratio, air tightness, ease in fabrication and assembling, low handling and transportation cost, high reflectivity, corrosion resistance and its behavior at extreme temperature, makes it an appropriate construction material. Usually, the glass façade of modern buildings is supported by sturdy and lightweight aluminum framework. The building industry has developed a new material called the ‘transparent aluminum’ which offers excellent transparency as well as form in architecture. Transbay Transit Centre, San Francisco has updated its façade from glass to transparent aluminum.

aluminum in modern architecture

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6. Natural Stone In Modern Architecture

Stone being used since the time of evolution of mankind is still a trendy building material. Despite its heaviness and bulkiness, it is appreciated in the building industry because of its large variety of texture, color, and sizes. The material is durable and naturally available.

Also, take a read to Top 10 Natural Building Materials For Sustainable Architecture

natural stone in modern architecture

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7.Wood In Modern Architecture

The only renewable building material who's addition in the building gives not just the warm feeling but an emotion of joy and comfort share in designing when compared with aesthetics and functionality. These specific materials can transform any space. Its high tensile strength, sound absorption and other features like heat resistance and electrical resistance make it an exceptional material to be used in modern architecture.

use of wood in modern architecture

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8.Tiles Design In Modern Architecture

A modular unit, made up of hard materials such as ceramic, stone or even glass, applied as a covering material over floors, walls, table tops etc. is an efficient finishing material commonly used in modern buildings. Easy transportation, easy repair, and availability of comfortable sizes and a variety of color and texture make it a popular choice among the designers. Tile industry these days are working towards the concept of recycling in order to attain the sustainability goals.

tiles design Image Source - Pexels