Minimalism

The Art and Science of keeping it simple

Minimalism was first introduced in the mid sixties when it was used primarily to describe the striped – down sculptures of artists such as Robert Morris, Dan Flavin and Donald Judd. Today, however, the term is used to describe everything from fashion and music to design and architecture.

Spiritual aspect of this Residence is dramatised by its minimalist architecture

Dramatic effect of natural light and artificial lighting - minimalist space designed by Amir Sultan

The works of Minimalist architects like Luis Barragan, Claudio Silvestrin, and Tadao Ando explore the fundamentals of space, light and materials while avoiding stylistic mannerisms. In Singapore, minimalism has become a popular interior design style. Recent trends has presented this style as being more livable and softer, rather than cold and stark, as perceived in the past.

The fundamental principles of minimalism remain – clean lines, hard surfaces and low furniture. But we’re also now seeing softer edges, more colours, varied textures and the introduction of natural fibers.

Minimal architecture and design emerged as a movement in the 1950s and continued through the Sixties and Seventies. It is a term used to describe design and architecture that thrives on simplicity in both content and form, and seek to remove any sign of personal expressivity. The aim of Minimalism is to allow the viewer to experience the work more intensely without the distractions of composition, theme and so on.

There are examples of the Minimalist theory being exercised as early as the 18th century when Goethe constructed an Altar of Good Fortune made simply of a stone sphere and cube. But the 20th century sees the movement come into its own.

We feature here a selection of new minimalist inspired interior designs which show you how to decorate your interior in a similar fashion….