Marriage Of Mismatched Building Materials In Modern Architecture

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 21:10

The marriage of mismatched building materials is a decidedly winning architectural strategy aimed at first catching the viewer by surprise and subsequently enchanting them with its quite exceptional appeal. And when the materials used belong to different centuries, the effect of aesthetic contrast is more powerful! For example, putting together raw wood and waxed concrete works very well to achieve a welcoming and contemporary decor at the same time. So, it is the combination of natural stone and anthropogenic glass that we are about to examine. It's their turn to show us their admirable roles in the context of modern architecture!

Marriage of mismatched building materials in residential architecture

To be honest, the marriage of rough stone and clear glass as mismatched building materials is not new. In England, several districts of the big cities are dominated by old houses with authentic facades whose backyards have rather modern annexes made mainly in steel and glass allowing a discreet, attractive and practical house extension at the same time.

A good example of this kind is The House on Bassett Road located in Kensington, West London, London, pictured above. The multi-story brick building has recently undergone a magnificent renovation and modernization, including a downright funky glass extension. For your information, the credit goes to the architectural firm Paul + O Architects (link at the bottom of the page).

Next we see a beautiful authentic stone farmhouse which has received an update in the fabulous form of a glazed annex of almost minimalist design. As you can see for yourself, thanks to its crystal clear transparency, the glass does not take away from the beauty of the richly textured facade. This is particularly the reason why it is among the most preferred building materials by contemporary architects.

Here is another architect's house that advocates the unison of mismatched building materials, this time located in Tebra, Spain. It is a habitat where concrete, aluminum, rough stone and glass coexist harmoniously, without any risk of conflict. In the photo gallery below, you will find plenty of other equally attractive constructions daringly combining old and new, stone and glass, tradition and modernism …

Association of Corten steel and glass under construction of the annex of this Quebec house

Amalgamation of ancient and modern building materials - stone and glass

Inside, the aesthetic mismatching effect is just as powerful, if not more

This architect-designed house in Israel abounds with ancient and modern building materials

The same goes for this house in Caviano in Switzerland via Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects

The superposition of modern glass roof and antique stone is no longer too striking

But some public buildings offer even more impressive mixtures of textures

"Women at war" bunker-museum project and "Casa Plain" cube for Wutopia Lab

Glass lift via Carles Enrich facilitating access to the Centro Histórico de Gironella in Catalonia

Old stone house with eye-catching glass entrance hall in geometric style

"The new old house": historic and modern architecture 2 in 1

Ruins brought to life through the use of contemporary building materials

Traditional meets modernism in a unique design like no other

Unity of rough stone, patinated steel and transparent glass in contemporary architecture

Glass is one of the most discreet building materials, barely visible …

… Which allows the real ancient stone to remain the star of the show

Project credit and sources used in the article:

Henri Cleinge Architect

Paul + O Architects

Dog Bow

Henkin Shavit Architecture and Design

Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects