Simple Explanation (ELI5)

Imagine modern buildings as people always dressed in black: stylish, but a bit gloomy! Polish researchers discovered that architects are starting to put 'jewelry and colors' back on them, like when you pick a nice shirt instead of a plain one. Basically, our cities are becoming cheerier and more personal!

Key Advantages & Current Limits

🟢 Pros: Decorated buildings are more pleasant to look at and make cities warmer and more recognizable, reflecting our human need for beauty and color. 🟢 Pros: Modern decorations, if well designed ('decorum'), can add cultural identity without falling into kitsch excess. 🔴 Cons: The risk is overdoing it with useless or poor-quality ornaments, especially if architects lack proper decorative skills. 🔴 Cons: Too much decoration can raise construction and maintenance costs, and may feel out of place in certain contexts (e.g. industrial zones).

Future Outlook & Takeaways

In the next 3-5 years we'll see more and more skyscraper and public building façades enriched with patterns, colors, and details inspired by nature or local culture. New generations of architects will be trained also in 'decorum', to avoid bland decorations. The result will be livelier cities, where each building tells a story instead of being just a cold glass-and-concrete container.

Does modern architecture need ornaments? The answer comes from...

Article

100%

Have you ever thought that skyscrapers and modern buildings might be a bit too bare? According to a study of 50 buildings in Poznań, Poland, decoration is making a comeback! Architects are abandoning the idea that ornament is a 'crime', as Adolf Loos once said. By analyzing 810 photos, experts have identified 11 types of modern decorations. This shows that humans have a universal need for beauty and color. But beware: these are not just any ornaments, but elements designed to be elegant and appropriate. Is modern architecture entering a 'Rococo' phase? The challenge now is to elevate the design of these decorations to make them even more special!

Bonus

100%

The study in Poznań used the concept of 'decorum', distinct from ornament, to analyze decorative trends. Decorum refers to the appropriateness and elegance of decorative elements, while ornament can be seen as mere embellishment. Researchers identified eleven types of modern decorations, including geometric patterns, natural elements, and complex architectural details. This study suggests that modern architecture is going through a transitional phase, similar to the Rococo period, characterized by an increase in decoration and complexity. The challenge for architects is now to elevate the design of these decorations, making them not only beautiful but also functional and meaningful. This requires professional research and greater attention to detail, to create buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally relevant.