Timeless Vs Trendy: Strike the Perfect Balance in Architectural Design

Written by Femina
Published on Apr 29, 2025, 10:51 IST
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Architects Rudraksh Charan and Priyanka Khanna, founders of  42MM Architecture, help you balance timeless principles with trendy elements
One of the elements in trendy but timeless architecture is bold geometry. Image - 42MM Architecture

Architecture is more than just the creation of spaces; it’s about evoking emotions, addressing functionality, and maintaining a dialogue between the built environment and its users. Through thoughtful design, architects can merge timeless principles with trendy elements, crafting spaces that honour tradition while embracing innovation. This delicate balance provides a canvas to explore how architecture can endure through time while staying relevant.


Go For Bold Geometry For Balance 
Work Towards Adaptable And Relevant Spaces For Balance  
Manage The Dynamics Of Different Materials For Balance 
Maximise Outdoor Spaces For Balance
And Let There Be Light For Balance 
Plan For The Balance

Go For Bold Geometry For Balance 

One of the most striking elements in architectural design is bold geometry, as seen in dramatic shaped columns at an entrance. These features are structurally significant and serve as strong design statements. They bridge the timeless need for structural integrity with the trendy inclination toward sculptural forms. Acting as focal points, these columns ground the building with monumental presence while setting a dynamic tone for the design.

Work Towards Adaptable And Relevant Spaces For Balance  

Interiors can mirror this harmony through a seamless integration of open spaces and curated details. Living areas that are characterised by clean lines, natural light, and earthy tones evoke timeless elegance. At the same time, statement furniture and textured materials such as stone and marble reflect a modern sensibility. This thoughtful blend ensures that the spaces remain adaptable and relevant for years to come


Bar areas with sleek finishes and minimalist appeal further illustrate this balance.
Materials such as marble and wood reflect timeless elegance, while clean geometric lines and backlit shelves add a contemporary edge. These spaces are designed to be functional and visually striking, catering to aesthetic and practical needs. They underscore how trendy elements can be seamlessly integrated into enduring designs.


Staircases in modern architecture transcend their functional purpose, becoming sculptural features that enhance spatial experiences. Floating staircases paired with vertical slats demonstrate the blending of form and function. Their clean lines and structural clarity embody contemporary trends, while their material choices root them in timeless principles. These transitional spaces enrich the user’s journey and elevate the architectural narrative.

Manage The Dynamics Of Different Materials For Balance 

The material palette reinforces this harmony. Stone, wood, and metal lend permanence and warmth, while sleek finishes and bold accents ensure designs feel sophisticated and modern. This careful curation showcases how contrasting elements can coexist harmoniously, adding depth and richness to the aesthetic.

Transparency and connectivity play a crucial role, achieved through the extensive use of glass. Large windows and skylights flood interiors with natural light and create a visual connection with the outdoors. The timeless principle of bringing the outside in is elevated through frameless designs and minimalist detailing. The result is open, airy spaces that embody classic and contemporary ideals.


Seating areas showcase this balance through thoughtful furniture and art choices.
Neutral-toned sofas and armchairs are complemented by vibrant artwork and textured rugs, striking a harmony between subtlety and vibrancy. Art pieces (below) act as bridges between timeless and trendy, infusing personality into the spaces without overwhelming them.

Maximise Outdoor Spaces For Balance

Outdoor spaces exemplify the balance between built and natural environments. A lush green lawn punctuated by a serene statue creates a tranquil, timeless setting. Grounded in traditional ideas of balance and serenity, these spaces are juxtaposed with minimalist building facades, adding a sleek, contemporary counterpoint. This interplay honours both past and present, crafting environments that are contemplative yet dynamic.


Pergola-covered seating areas stand out as functional and aesthetic elements.
Wooden slats in pergolas create an interplay of light and shadow, connecting users to nature while providing shelter. Paired with trendy outdoor furniture, these spaces become versatile extensions of homes, ideal for relaxation or social gatherings. The design highlights the importance of creating adaptable spaces that cater to modern lifestyles.


Outdoor gardens further integrate timeless principles with modern trends.
Manicured lawns and sculptural landscaping harken to classical designs, while modern architectural features lend contemporary sophistication. Features such as a Buddha statue symbolise tranquillity and balance, anchoring the space with timeless appeal while contrasting with bold architectural forms.

And Let There Be Light For Balance 

Lighting design ties the aesthetic together. Both natural and artificial lighting are used strategically to enhance architectural features. Skylights, expansive windows, and well-placed fixtures create layered lighting schemes that highlight textures and add depth. Trendy statement lighting complements understated fixtures, ensuring a cohesive and timeless ambiance.

Plan For The Balance

Achieving a balance between timeless and trendy design is about integration rather than compromise. By respecting traditional principles and embracing innovation, architects craft spaces that are rooted in context yet forward-looking. Durable materials, functional layouts, and thoughtful detailing ensure longevity, while bold forms, vibrant accents, and innovative technologies add contemporary flair.


Ultimately, architecture is as much about storytelling as it is about design.
Spaces can reflect their time while bridging to the future. By striking the perfect balance between timelessness and trendiness, architects create environments that resonate on multiple levels – becoming spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also meaningful and enduring.


Images: 42MM Architecture


Disclaimer: All content is the author’s own. Femina cannot be held liable for any mishap arising thereof


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