Are modern style houses better?

[Account Closed]

Hey guys,

I'm about to make my first purchase for a property to live in and settle in. I plan to do more REI in the future but this is a home I WANT TO MAKE NICE. So I've always been in love with modern style houses (square shaped and boxy looking kind of). I've always wondered why I barely see any of them around. In my opinion they look so beautiful and professional. I'm also a tech guy so i'm into futuristic concepts. Maybe thats why. Is it more expensive for the materials? Harder to maintain? Expensive to find someone to design?

These are some examples:

http://homedesignlover.com/architecture/latest-modern-house-designs/

[Kinley Puzey]

@Account Closed,

As an architect I've worked with a lot of clients on both types of projects. My preferred style is more on the modern side. I feel it looks classy and high end. My wife on the other end things it looks harsh, cold, and uncomfortable. It really is a personal preference. I've found that a lot of younger clients prefer the more modern look and the opposite is true for the older generation. It might also depend on the area and who you are trying to cater to. If there is not a lot of them around you need to be the judge on if it's a risk you are willing to take. It would definitely make the home stand out from the rest but it may also be that there's a reason that the other homes in the area are not "modern".

My recommendation would be to go with your gut. I typically try to blend the two.  I try to find something that will make it pop whether it be a unique roof line or material choice that can help accentuate an area and update the home. 

I would also look at your home and ask yourself if it has the bones to be modern. If its a traditional symmetrical brick home with gable roof then its going to take a lot to make it look modern. The roof line has the most potential for making a home feel modern, at least from the outside. I quite often get clients that have a boring rectangle box with a boring roof and they want it modern but don't want make any significant exterior or roof improvements. 

It's hard to turn this..

 into this.... 

without significant changes.

That being said, designing a nice home no matter the design should cost the same. Building a nice home no matter the style should cost about the same. The problem is with modern homes a lot of times you want to use wood or metal and those materials cost more then stucco and siding. A metal or flat roof is going to cost more than a truss roof with asphalt shingles. Also for some reasons, at least around here, you mention "Modern" and contractors charge more because they know that they need to be perfect in their execution because errors are more apparent when your concerned with clean lines.

Insulation costs are the same. The only cost differences come into play in the structure and final finishes. 

Hopefully that's helpful.