Classical architecture for a modern world, by ADAM Partner Robert Cox

Far from a nostalgic yearning for the past, classical architecture can be forward-thinking, embracing contemporary life while maintaining the academic integrity of classical design principles. Robert Cox outlines how classical architecture can meet the needs of contemporary living.

What is classical architecture?

At its core, classical architecture is a set of rules – a language of design refined over centuries. But this language is highly adaptable; none of these rules is set in stone. Just as language evolves to reflect cultural shifts and advances in technology, so too can classical architecture. The principles of classical design can easily be moulded to meet the needs of a given environment.

How was classical architecture adapted for different regions?

Cast your mind to the grand villas of Italy, where expansive overhangs shield the interior from the heat of the Mediterranean sun. Now compare that with the smaller eaves one might find on an English Palladian home, designed deliberately to allow the sunlight inside, to warm the building.

These regional variations in classical architectural language are not only aesthetic choices; they are practical adjustments made in response to different environmental considerations, demonstrating the inherently flexible nature of classical design principles.

How can the rules of classical architecture be applied for today?

The language of classical architecture can be stripped back to its essential elements or embellished with intricate details, depending on the demands of the project. Historic properties can be tuned to a level of “currentness” to meet today’s standards without compromising on their classical character.

This ability to adapt and evolve is what sets classical architecture apart from its modernist counterparts, in which the addition of new elements often feels incongruous, and contemporary fixtures and fittings can feel stuck on rather than looking like they belong.

Classical architecture, by contrast, offers opportunities for concealment – an alarm system can be artfully hidden behind a panelled shutter, for example, blending seamlessly with the surrounding interior to maintain a sense of continuity. Classical details give modern amenities somewhere to hide. Whether it's integrating heating systems behind cornicing or disguising air conditioning vents behind wall panelling, classical design makes incorporating modern life easier, without disrupting the visual harmony of a space.

Why choose classical architecture?

The genius of classical architecture lies in understanding that it is dynamic, rather than static. It can be reinterpreted and reimagined to suit the needs of today’s world, while retaining the aesthetic and academic principles of traditional architecture. By turning the dial up on modernity within this classical framework, we see how the present needn’t be divorced from the past. With design principles that make space for innovation, classical architecture offers an opportunity for creative solutions to modern life, remaining steadfastly relevant in a rapidly changing world.