What is the difference between a "modern" Denver home and a "contemporary" Denver home? It is a question that comes up and one that I ask buyers whenever they tell me they are looking for a modern or contemporary Denver home. There is a lot of confusion between the real meanings of these terms and it can certainly be confusing when looking for your next house. In searching for a good answer to this question, I came across a great article in Realty Times.
According to the article, the label "modern" in architecture and design indicates an exact time period in our design history during the 20th century. Modern design came into its own in the 1920's and 30's and strongly reflects the emergence of new technology and advances in engineering. This means it relies heavily on mechanized design. Modern design plays heavily on vertical and horizontal lines. The frilly and ornamental nature of previous styles was pushed aside for the clean lines and new utilitarian aesthetic. Here are some examples of modern Denver homes.
What's important to remember is that modern style doesn't change. What was once modern, is always "modern." Contemporary, on the other hand, is an ever changing term. It is used to define what is trendy and in style now. Of course ... 20 years from now, something entirely different will be contemporary. What is architecture doing in the present moment? That is contemporary. Today's trends see many builder focusing on green designs, with larger projects seeking LEED certification. Here are some examples of Denver contemporary architecture. Can you see the difference?
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