Classical or Modern Architecture: Which House to Choose?

Today I want to discuss whether you should build a classical house or prefer a modern style. The question is not trivial — recently clients came to me facing exactly this choice. We discussed the topic at length and came to some interesting conclusions that I’d like to share.

Modern House: Fashion and Its Fleeting Nature

Modern style always attracts with its novelty, creativity, the feeling that you’re at the very crest of the fashion wave. We all love fashion, love something fresh and unusual — and that’s absolutely natural.

But this is where the main problem lies. Today’s “fashionable” house stops being so striking and original tomorrow. I recall one project from fifteen years ago. The clients wanted a house that would match the spirit of the times: they were inspired by examples, chose bold architectural elements — and we built them a beautiful, interesting house. At that moment it truly made an impression: both the owners and their guests were delighted.

However, five years passed — and the house stopped being perceived as something unusual. The elements that seemed original became commonplace, came into fashion and spread everywhere. Another ten years later, the house simply became “nice, good.” It didn’t become completely outdated, but no longer evoked that admiration for which it was originally conceived.

And after fifteen years — it was overshadowed by new projects. Around it appeared ever fresher ideas, new materials and solutions. A house that was once at its peak ended up ordinary, and with time — positively old-fashioned.

Classical: Eternal Elegance

Quite a different experience — classical projects. At the same time when we were building modern houses, there were clients who chose classical style. Their houses looked calmer, more harmonious, without fashionable experiments. But we integrated all modern engineering into them: smart systems, gadgets, comfortable solutions.

Fifteen years have passed — and these houses look as elegant as on the day of construction. They haven’t lost relevance, because classical style never depends on temporary trends. Such houses retain the image of harmonious and beautiful mansions, and the owners don’t experience disappointment. On the contrary — the house remains as it was originally conceived: solid, elegant and attractive.

Fashion and Liquidity

This difference has a practical side — liquidity. A modern house built for fashion can be sold profitably only in the first three or four years, while it’s still “on the wave.” After that its value decreases: in five years it’s ordinary, in ten — already boring, in fifteen to twenty — outdated.

A classical house retains its value. It doesn’t go out of fashion, and the attitude toward it remains the same: “elegant mansion.” Therefore, in the long term, classical style proves to be a more profitable solution.

Conclusion

It turns out to be a simple, but important truth:

• build a modern house for fashion — be prepared that in a few years it will become outdated;

• build a classical one — you get stability, elegance and durability.

Exceptions, of course, exist. Modern architecture also has masterpieces that stand the test of time. But such examples are rare. Out of a hundred solutions, two or three “survive,” the rest disappear with the fashion.

This is exactly what we discussed recently with clients: should you give in to the temptation of fashion or choose eternal harmony? Everyone has their own answer. But history shows: classical style almost never lets you down.