Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: The basis of modern architecture
• Part 2 of 2: Ideas for creative projects
• Tips

Take a look at any Minecraft server and you are guaranteed to come across a number of medieval castles, fortified fortresses and large stone walls. One way to deviate from the default is to create a modern house in play. Take note of some of the trends in modern architecture so you can start new projects that will set you apart from all those boring cobblestone and wooden buildings.

To step

Part 1 of 2: The basis of modern architecture

1. Use sharp lines and rectangular areas. This isn't exactly a problem with Minecraft's block-based building system. An easy way to recreate this design style is to give the walls of your home different heights. It doesn't matter if one of the walls goes right through the roof; in a modern house this is considered art!
   • An existing example: This page is a good example of the right angles and lines approach commonly found in modern homes. Note that the house sits on a simple rectangular plot of land, but the creative placement of the scattered rectangles makes the design a lot more interesting.
   • Many modern homes are designed to create clean, visually appealing contrasting spots. This is achieved by fitting squares, rectangles and straight lines into the exterior. Although it may seem as if the house has become a mishmash of shapes as a result, the effect is striking. This is one way to make a house a lot more complex visually, while still using a rectangular floor plan.
2. Combine white walls with natural materials. Wood and stone are easy to find in Minecraft. White building materials, on the other hand, are a bit more difficult to find. Chances are higher with quartz, sandstone, wool, or lighter types of stone.
   • An existing example: This is an interesting example of the use of contrasting building materials. The clean white surfaces of the roof "collide" with the brick retaining walls and wood-paneled chimney, creating a look that is both natural and human-made.
   • A frequently used theme in modern home architecture is the connection between the orderly world of man and the chaotic beauty of nature. Modern houses often have unadorned white concrete surfaces on the outside of a house to give it a "pristine" character. By combining this with panels or walls made of rich, natural materials such as wood and stone, a contrast is created. Rarer is it that another neutral color like gray is used instead of white.
3. Place large glass windows in it. You need a lot of sand for this. Building your house on a beach gives you a nice view and an easy-to-use sand supply for your windows. Don't forget you can always make more stoves to speed up glass production!
   • An existing example: The famous Stahl House in the Hollyhout Hills is an example of this type of design. The numerous glass walls of the house offer a fantastic view and make you feel like you are living in a cloud over Los Angeles - quite an experience.
   • Modern architects love to use large, rectangular glass panels. This provides the residents of your home with a beautiful view - a must if you've built a home in a cool place. It also gives the impression of a clean, open space and can be used to create rectangles and squares on the outside of the house.
4. Don't be too concerned with symmetry. Feel free to let your imagination run wild when it comes to the shape of the house. You should avoid the standard "box with roof construction". Your house can be skewed, uneven or even look totally bizarre - let your imagination run wild!
   • An existing example: This modern house in Mexico is a typical example of this trend. The main entrance and hall can be found on the left, while the large box structure on the right looms above the rest of the house. The way it sticks out creates a powerful impression - it's almost intimidating.
   • Houses and mansions from earlier times were often designed with a grand, impressive symmetry in mind (see: the Palace of Versailles). Modern homes sometimes accomplish the same thing, but with an approach that is diametrically opposed to it. Many modern houses seem to want to be purposely not symmetrical, challenging the viewer with skewed designs.
5. Make sure the interiors are tidy. The insides of modern homes are usually designed to give the effect of large, open spaces. Use empty, neutral-colored floors and natural materials such as wood and stone to create the same kind of spatial contrast that you used for the exterior of the house. Simple stairs, high ceilings, minimal furnishings and glass openings to awnings and balconies enhance this effect.
   • An existing example: This page shows the empty, stylish interior of a modern home. The simple yet elegant placement of the furniture and the large, contrasting black window panels create a space that feels open and cozy at the same time.
   • A wall without all those windows? Show your modern, artistic feeling by exhibiting a selection of paintings. You can make your own from eight wooden sticks around a block of wool (of any color).
6. Add a pool (square or rectangular). Modern homes often have a backyard pool - perhaps because this gives architects the chance to indulge in one more surface, adding an extra dimension to their design. Remember you will need a bucket or two and a water source if you want to fill the pool. You can make a bucket from three iron bars, arranged in a "V" at the bottom of the crafting grid.
   • An existing example:This beautiful mansion in Brazil has a simple yet elegant rectangular pool, just a few steps from a rectangular extension, which serves as a relaxation area - the perfect example of modern luxury.
   • Use a square or rectangular shape for your pool to match the rectangular lines of the house. Make sure it is level with the ground.

Part 2 of 2: Ideas for creative projects

1. Include round shapes and surfaces in your design. Minecraft building style in which you work with blocks makes it easy to imitate the right angles and lines of modern architecture. More abstract living spaces with rounded lines are more difficult. This guide to creating circles and spheres in Minecraft can be of great help to you when you want to use those tricky shapes.
   • An existing example: This house has a curved twist applied to the standard "white surfaces and right angles" design of a modern home. The curved shape of the roof and overhang gives this chic spot a smooth finish - a bit like a giant iPod.
2. Make use of bold mash-ups of geometric shapes. If you want to get a little more adventurous when designing your home, don't limit yourself to squares and rectangles. Mixing up combinations of shapes and surfaces can give your home a unique look. This works best with larger houses, as it is difficult to create clearly defined geometric shapes from just a few blocks.
   • An existing example: This rather bizarre house gives you the idea that it is rising from the earth through sharp angles.
3. Think about "impossible" constructs. If you want to explore the boundaries of what a "house" is, you can go quite far within architecture. You don't have to worry about your house falling over in Minecraft, so let your creativity run wild. If you want you can even build a house on a bridge and then remove the bridge!
   • An existing example: While this building was clearly not "impossible" to build in real life, it looks like it. The various different structures protrude into unpredictable angles that defy logic.
4. Place well-tended plants in your home. A well-placed tree or garden can add a little flair to your modern home. It is also a good way to imitate the "green" designs that have become popular in modern architecture. If you connect a grassy spot to an area where it is mostly sandy with a string of soil blocks, the grass will spread very slowly over the new spot. You can use this to create unique gardens, such as a lawn on the roof of your house. You can also collect wildflowers for your garden.
   • An existing example: This modern house has a very minimalist garden. The grass and trees are used in much the same way as other surfaces - carefully enclosed to create a striking contrast, not allowing them to just grow where they want.
   • You probably won't opt ​​for lavish gardens that run in all directions - modern architecture tends to keep everything neat and tidy when it comes to plants.
5. Consider carefully where you want to place the building for as much impact as possible. When it comes to creating an amazing home, you can true you build as important as what you build. There is no "right" place to put a modern home, but see if there are places that you find particularly exciting. Some ideas for fun locations are: on the beach, on top of a hill or mountain, excavated in a mountain wall, on a platform in the ocean or deep underground.
   • An existing example: Falling Water, the famous modern home built by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is located atop a narrow creek and waterfall. The water flows under the house, making it not only a beautiful sight, but also quite an architectural achievement.

Tips

• All of these ideas are easiest to realize in Creative Mode - then you don't risk being killed by hostile mobs or your work being sabotaged by other players.
• If you do want to try to build a house in Survival Mode, find a location that is far from an appearance to reduce the chances of your house being found by griefers.