Complementary architecture is a movement in
contemporary architecture
Contemporary architecture is the architecture of the 21st century. No single style is dominant. Contemporary architects work in several different styles, from postmodernism, high-tech architecture and new interpretations of traditional architec ...
promoting
architectural
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings o ...
practice rooted in comprehensive understanding of context, aiming to contribute to the environment in such a way as to continue and improve or emphasise its preexisting qualities. Indispensable features of complementary architecture include
sustainability
Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and have varied in the literature and over time. The concept of sustainability can be used to guide decisions at the global, national, and individual levels (e.g. sustainable livi ...
,
altruism
Altruism is the principle and moral practice of concern for the welfare and/or happiness of other human beings or animals, resulting in a quality of life both material and spiritual. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and a cor ...
,
contextualism,
endemism
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...
and
continuity of specific regional design language.
The word complement has roots in the Latin ''complementum'', from complēre to fill up, complete and remains true to that origin in its spelling and in its meanings that have to do with completing or fulfilment.
Complementary architecture occurs at the intersection of local pattern and design languages. A
pattern language represents a set of more or less formalised rules of human interaction with built forms, resulting from practical solutions developed over time according to local culture and natural conditions. A
design language
A design language or design vocabulary is an overarching scheme or style that guides the design of a complement of products or architectural settings, creating a coherent design system for styling.
Objectives
Designers wishing to give their su ...
in architecture is a set of geometrical (formal) and material standards used in buildings and other man-made structures, traditionally arising from local materials and their physical properties.
Complementary architecture interprets the
Vitruvian triad for contemporary use, mapping durability (''firmitas'') against aspects of broader sustainability, utility (''utilitas'') against altruism and service to society, and individual beauty (''venustas'') against harmony with broader context, regional identity and spirit of place.
Continuity in architecture
Historically, building environments were produced in a continuous, evolutionary fashion rather than as singular revolutionary events. Complementary architecture involves systematic analysis of traditional techniques in the context of vibrant urban environments, aiming to rediscover sustainable, layered, nuanced, contextual and environmentally appropriate solutions for the present time.
Applications
Practically all traditional
vernacular
A vernacular or vernacular language is in contrast with a "standard language". It refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or region. The vernacular is typically the native language, n ...
and formal architecture produced prior to the 20th century is complementary architecture due to inherent material and cultural constraints, as are many works inspired by some contemporary movements such as
contextual architecture
Contextual architecture, also known as Contextualism is a philosophical approach in architectural theory that refers to the designing of a structure in response to the literal and abstract characteristics of the environment in which it is built. C ...
,
indigenous architecture,
organic architecture or
new urbanism
New Urbanism is an urban design movement which promotes environmentally friendly habits by creating walkable neighbourhoods containing a wide range of housing and job types. It arose in the United States in the early 1980s, and has gradually in ...
.
Complementary architecture methodology is especially useful where contemporary development penetrates compact historical urban fabric. Complementary design pays respect to its architectural context while carefully introducing contemporary design elements.
Critical views
The movement specifically rejects the tendency of contemporary architects to construct buildings rather than cities, neglecting the fact that the value of a building stays in the architectural whole,
as well as
modernism's contrasting with nature or context for the sake of innovation as expedient and inevitably destructive. Adherents posit that in the 20th century the abdication of decorative elements and traditional forms was thought to be a sign of newly found simplicity, solidarity and sacrifice by the socialist and conveniently cost-efficient by the capitalist side of the political scene. By extension, that "nearly every building completed prior to the 20th century was beautiful" and that the matter of beauty in contemporary and future architecture as simply a matter of "recovering old habits".
Contemporary examples
File:Komplementäre Architektur Russia.png
File:City Gate, Valletta 002.jpg
File:Seaside Chaple BW.jpg
File:Basshall.JPG
File:Moscow (8351273413).jpg
File:Nice horses in front of a modern farmhouse, a typical Dutch scene - panoramio.jpg
File:Hus kring Grubbensparken 2014, 1.JPG
File:Saifivillage.JPG
File:Σαγράδα Φαμίλια 2941.jpg
File:Selwyn2.jpg
File:Tegelpråmen 1.JPG
See also
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Architectural design values
Architectural design values make up an important part of what influences architects and designers when they make their design decisions. However, architects and designers are not always influenced by the same values and intentions. Value and intent ...
*
Critical regionalism
Critical regionalism is an approach to architecture that strives to counter the placelessness and lack of identity of the International Style, but also rejects the whimsical individualism and ornamentation of Postmodern architecture. The stylings ...
*
Sustainable architecture
Sustainable architecture is architecture that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings through improved efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, development space and the ecosystem at large. Sustainable ...
References
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Architectural theory
Architecture
Sustainability
Sustainable architecture