What Makes Architecture Timeless? Lessons from Buildings That Still Feel Fresh 100 Years Later

Let's get philosophical for a moment. Just a moment. Architecture is more than the pieces that make up a building. Architecture has ethics, aesthetics, and social implications. It’s functional. Sure. It’s also about social and cultural impact.

If you step back for a moment and think about architecture, what age-old piece of location comes to mind? 

Most buildings age like milk. No additional descriptors necessary. A few ages like fine whiskey. As the grains and yeast meld over time, they penetrate into the barrel it’s stored in. Not only does that whiskey form its perfectly sweet and strong flavour, but the barrel is changed, too. As time passes, it only gets more interesting and valuable.

So what makes a building timeless in the same way? And, why do Alvar Aalto’s designs still look good while your 2015 Pinterest kitchen already screams “vintage…” And not for the vintage that so many consumers are after today.

Simplicity. Adaptability. Perhaps even functional use that continues to defy the passage of time is a factor that contributes to why architecture is timeless. Harmony with surroundings is another perspective.

Yet, still, something doesn’t mesh.

Consider Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Still a cherished property. Approaching its 1000-year mark. Valued recently at just under $25 million. Its perch above a waterfall made it everything it is. Yet, that same waterfall led to a recent leak. A leak that cost $7 million to repair. Stunning in concept but not necessarily built of the materials to last for 100 years or more, Fallingwater continues to be timeless. 

Timelessness is not about being structurally sound enough to withstand the years of weather and human use. There's more to it. A lot more. 

Let’s peel back the layers on why some properties are seemingly architectural treasures. Perhaps we can take what we learn here and change the way we think about our next project.

Why “Timeless” Even Matters

But wait. Why do we even care if a building outlives us? Why do we spend all of those years learning the craft of architecture that squeezes into project budgets? 

Why does old architecture matter?

There are numerous reasons. Some of the standard reasons include:

• Old buildings connect us to the past. History matters, of course. It repeats itself. You know the story here. It’s the old schoolhouse along a path in your hometown that makes you feel nostalgic. Even though you certainly never went to school there. The building feels like the past. 

• It creates a sense of identity. Historic buildings foster a sense of chatter and community. Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey exude this in the UK. It doesn’t have to be a grand castle, though. Most communities have a building that’s identifiable. A church or a courthouse, for example.

• Old architecture tells stories. Certainly, true of all of those castles across Europe and from the temples in Malta to the Palace of Versailles. On a smaller scale, homes tell a family’s story. Churches share the tragedies of the past. 

All of these are quite valid reasons that timeless buildings matter. But let’s look at this from another vantage point.

Value.

Everything trends now. From design to fashion to architecture. Trends come and go, moving as quickly as buildings can go up. With that trendy demand comes the need for speed.

Like an e-commerce shopping trip that demands next-day delivery, consumers want the best home on the block within months. That’s hardly time to plan for timeless.

Clients want modern, but modern ages badly.

Inferior (cheap) materials are part of that. Shoddy workmanship, another. But it’s also because architects must design not for features but for speed. Construction in mass-producing factories gets homes built fast. 

Within a matter of years, this architecture will look old. It’s dated. It’s anything but a treasured castle filled with stories.

The real flex today is to design something people still want to live in decades later.

Good architecture doesn’t care about your algorithm.

It’s built on more than trends and hashtags. Something makes it last. 

The 3 Timeless Principles

Architecture is every bit art as it is function. Timeless pieces are built to exude far more than simple design elements. Three specific elements make some structures far more impactful and long-lasting than others.

#1: Proportion

Architecture “feels” comfortable. That’s only possible when the proportions are just right. Alvar Aalto stated, “True architecture exists only when it places the human being at the centre.” He built structures that put a person at the heart of the design.

Proportion matters in timeless architecture. When a building gets proportions right, it “feels” comfortable, welcoming, and alluring. And, the materials age well. Aalto’s ability to create iconic modernistic buildings is quite evident. It has influenced the formation of the Modern movement. That is especially true in Finland and the Nordic countries. What makes it work so masterfully is its ability to take people’s feelings and senses into account. He seems to have an uncanny way of taking those feelings and expressing them in architecture. 

The sites have architectural forms, asymmetry, and contrasts alongside the concept of free space. There is a continuity between the structure itself, the surroundings, and the historical context. His work employs modernism in areas of light and the unique needs of today’s individual. 

By contrast, consider Carlo Scarpa’s meticulous layering. It follows an architectural philosophy that combines history with modernity through detail. This includes a rich material palette. It’s the unique sense of space, light, and shadow that makes his work “work.” How? The method is expressed through exposing and layering historical elements. He blends old with new. This sophisticated approach creates a multi-layered experience. 

Scarpa’s ability to create a dialogue between the past and present contrasts wildly with Aalto’s ability to create space for the modern man. Both are examples of great architects. Both take a very different approach and deliver.

#2: Material Honesty

The passage of time. It’s not always known for creating beauty. Modern buildings in shambles beg to be torn down. Yet, timeless architecture ages beautifully.

Consider the outstretched hand of a 90-year-old person. Among the fine lines and wrinkles are hands that have built, torn down, created, and restored life in many ways throughout their years. The hand tells a story. It’s stunningly beautiful. From the calluses to the scars, what is “ugly” with age is incredibly beautiful.

In architecture, materials that naturally age are more beautiful. Plastic doesn’t age well. It breaks down, creates sharp edges, and discolours. Wood, stone, and concrete, though, allow time to test them. In doing so, they look better over time. More character. Flaws in cracks tell stories. Patchwork reveals recovery.

Consider Tadao Ando. The self-taught Japanese architect refined modern architecture. He is known for his artistic use of natural light and design that incorporates organic contours. There’s a poetic minimalism present. Somehow, it creates incredibly immense statements. To achieve this, he placed an emphasis on empty space and nothingness. Simplicity and the beauty of wear create timeless structures.

Thick concrete walls create private, peaceful spaces. Tucked into noisy, over-congested neighbourhoods. Those walls are simple, but the silence and minimalist design allow the materials themselves to make a statement.

Let’s consider today’s elements. 

Fake marble ages like a bad Instagram filter. It’s obvious. No matter how hard you try to make it pretty, it simply cannot be.

Manmade isn’t nature-tested. Too often, modern materials are unproven. Without the weathering of time, that fake marble is one-dimensional. It’s quite “un-special.”

Place a hand over a piece of wood and feel the life within it. Touch the stunning beauty of stone to feel the heaviness of what it’s seen. 

#3: Context

The third principle in the creation of timeless architecture is context. Buildings that represent their environment stay relevant. 

This incorporates both a sense of visual and cultural importance. It occurs in any context. Let’s use the proven strategies of those architects mentioned here.

Aalto’s work blends striking modern features into the Finnish landscape. He used natural materials like stone and wood from the local landscape to create a story. The designs allowed the buildings to harmonise with the surrounding topography. Site-specific design is another critical element of this. Buildings respected the contours of the land they were on. This enables those structures to remain local treasures.

It's hard to overlook the way Scarpa’s buildings stood in the Venetian light. He lived and drew influence from Venice in stunning ways. He used the rich tapestry of Venetian culture to design intricate and delicate elements. His ability to combine traditional building materials and methods with time-tested materials is second to none. 

Ando's architecture is known for the use of shadow and reflection. Light and space come together to create contemplative spaces. The context here is clear. He uses precise manipulation of light with raw concrete. He blends water and the hard lines of geometry. Illumination that's precisely controlled in an otherwise dark space. 

Now, step out from the shadow into what’s easily seen in a modern community. A glass box. Seemingly incredibly modern and interesting to see. Yet, within a short period, it’s dated and dirty. There is no reflection of the community in the glass as there is in the water of Ando’s work. These buildings ignore their surroundings. The stand as stark monuments to ….what? 

They do not blend into the environment. They pay no attention to the light streaming around them. They carry no noted historical context. What they do experience is an outdated and worn look within five years. 

Case Studies

Exploring the incredible richness of timeless buildings is an artist’s dream. Take your budget-saving lens of the project you’re straining under today. Instead, let’s take a look at a few timeless buildings that tell their own story, in their own way.

Alvar Aalto: Human Warmth Meets Geometry

Modernism focuses on a set of principles with strict geometry. There is a lack of ornament, and machine-made construction dominates. Alvar Aalto’s work synthesised modernist ideas but added the human element. There is quite a reverence for nature and humanism evident. He is famous for saying, “Form follows function, but also emotion.” 

Paimio Sanatorium. Built in 19311. It captures the human-centric approach to his work. The overall structure is quite geometrical and functional. The interior is meant to support the person within the space. Colour schemes support rest. Brown linoleum floors and dark green ceilings created that sensation. Sunlight penetrated deep into the rooms. That’s thanks to the solar geometry he used. 

Finlandia Hall. Built in 1971. A grand and modern landmark by all rights. It features a stark white exterior. The geometric lines are strong and clean. Yet, inside, warm wood panelling transforms the space. Custom lighting creates sensual feelings. It’s inviting and very people-centric.

Takeaway: Modernism can be human-supportive. That creates timeless value. Alvar Aalto's design principles focus on people, not just a structure.

Carlo Scarpa: Obsessed with Detail Like a Watchmaker

Carlo Scarpa’s obsessive attention to detail is easily found. Meticulous designs often incorporate handcrafted elements. Modern additions to historic structures require care and tenacity. Note the poetic use of materials in each project. 

Museo Castelvechio. Restoration in 1957. At the age of 51, his work here captured the intrinsic value of a medieval castle. Every detail was carefully restored and updated. It’s said the project included 657 sheets of quality drawings to capture the importance of each material, position, and colour.

Takeaway: Craftsmanship, careful interaction of materials, and a blend of old and new are critical to creating timeless spaces. Carlo Scarpa's details make a structure into a near lifeform.

Tadao Ando: Proof Minimalism Can Still Have a Soul

A redefined modern architect with a focus on minimalistic expression, Ando’s work is thought-provoking. Organic contours of the surrounding landscape are coupled into each piece. There is a clear, poetic element of minimalism present. At the same time, there is an immense relationship with nature present.

Chichu Art Museum. Opened in 2004. A museum built directly into a southern portion of the Naoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture. It preserves the natural scenery of he island. Skylights bring natural light into the subterranean spaces. Visitors are captivated and surrounded by the environment. 

Church on the Water. Built in 1988. A project that transcends mere architecture. The chapel lacks a front wall. Instead, there is a view of nature. It is a symbolic, very clear representation of spiritualism. The building is surrounded by a pool of water. Here is a stunning altar facing that water. The scenery changes through the year. It all captures the spiritualism of the region.

Takeaway: A concrete building can, and should, have a human element. Tadao Ando's minimalism isn’t without character and emotion. 

Timeless Is Not Old-fashioned

Architecture that lasts isn’t just built of stone or brute force. It’s melded with the world around it. It communicates without words. To build a timeless structure, you must look beyond just a shiny glass building in the middle of a city.

You don’t make timeless work by avoiding change — you make it by understanding people, materials, and place better than trends do. Timeless architecture is representative of far more than just a functional space that can handle hurricane-force winds and destructive human consumption.

Consider what architectural inspiration you have. What drives you to create in the way you do? Do you envision smart technology-infused spaces that make life easy for the inhabitants? Perhaps, instead, there is a way to blend that over-the-top technology with the natural surroundings of the property. It could be revolutionary. 

Here’s our bottom line on timeless building design.

If you want your next project to last, skip the shiny trends. Build something your grandkids won’t laugh at.