Skinny horizontal windows are taking over new construction everywhere. And they’re not doing architecture any favors. Let’s take a closer look.
Skinny Black Window Trend
There’s an alarming trend in architecture that no seems to be talking about and it’s linear horizontal windows being slapped up everywhere along with of course modern, flat homes without any beauty.
Have you noticed this in neighbourhoods around you too? Anyone else feel like they are in a Star Wars movie when you see them?
Lately, when I drive by a new commercial building, it tends to be flat with black rectangular windows and by-the-way, UGLY.
And unfortunately it’s picking up traction in new home builds.
Trends in home design
Let’s go as for back as the 70s, which was the last time true “modern” was on trend. Then look at the 80s, when “colonial” interiors were big. Next look at the 90s, which brought the faceless, nameless McMansions. Then in the 2000s, the Tuscan trend arrived along with the “Mediterranean” home. Then, after that, the grey trend arrived and the overall look got more “craftsman”.
And in the last 10 years, the black and white trend quickly morphed into what everyone calls the modern farmhouse.
And because modern is in front of farmhouse, it’s like all bets are off for good design. That means it’s become a free for all, with a big mish mash of traditional and modern finishes being installed in homes today.
Flat Black
And somewhere inside this trend, the basic flat, modern black house was born. And just like the linear fireplace that’s trending big time (see it in the second house below) so is the linear, rectangular window on new buildings everywhere, including commercial and retail buildings.
Here’s some more rectangular windows including the garage door.
Here’s the linear fireplace that seems to be as ubiquitous in new builds today as all black hardware, lighting and plumbing fixtures.
This one comes with custom tracks that look like the spaceship landed.
I mean this house obviously isn’t common, but there’s a reason why the agent’s photographer waited for a sunset to take the prettiest photo possible of this house.
Community is everything
After I talked about this inside my True Colour Insider community last week one of my members posted a pretty photo of her upcoming new build and asked if she should tweak the one window among them all that seemed to fit the ‘Vader’ description. And the answer was yes.
In our eDesign department, we see so many exteriors with too small, bad windows that are often installed at the front of the house. Sometimes the window is too small because there’s a bathroom so the builder feels it should be half the size of the rest!?!? Seriously, that’s why we have window coverings.
Here’s the thing about my new community. The expert advice to change that one window on her otherwise perfectly symmetrical new build was definitely worth the price of admission that day.
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Actually, the realtor probably didn’t wait until there was a pretty sunset. The pretty sky was added with AI or Photoshop, most likely AI because that method just takes single click. Either way, doing it afterwards is way easier and faster than waiting for a pretty sunset. I’ve seen it in a lot of realty photos lately. The daytime picture will be at EXACTLY the same angle, etc. as the next pic with the pretty “evening” shot.
I think I’m almost as sick of all the AI fake pictures as you are of the black and white trend! LOL
That is very true but this house definitely needs all the help it can get I can’t imagine who would buy it it looks like the public areas of a museum. Maria
re: small windows and bathrooms. Our shower is on an outside wall facing the street. The only option was a small horizontal window above it. Terrible curb appeal.
Ha, that true Darth Vader house is in Houston and has been there for many years. Always been a talking point – and most definitely not done following a trend!
Sadly, I’m seeing this trend in the Atlanta area too. So unattractive. It’s hard to believe anyone could find it appealing.
The Darth Vader house in Houston was custom built in 1992 as a complete one off — so nota reflection of today’s trends or even the trends in the 1990s.
Well it had the windows that I wanted to show. . . and it is very black and white inside. . . Maria
I lived a couple blocks from the house in Houston. Even back in 1992, it was nicknamed “the Darth Vader “ house. It was on a prominent corner in our neighborhood and completely did not fit in then or now. It’s for sale again right now!!
I’ve noticed people (at least those under 40) are afraid of any style word by itself and feel compelled to tack on “modern”. Rustic modern, traditional modern, modern farmhouse, modern craftsman, etc. I am not sure what they’re afraid of? Slavish historical copying… grandma decor… anyway I wonder if the linear ugly things are part of that knee jerk reaction.
Similar to fashion, I say “to each their own” however do admit am not appreciating the new builds that are popping up in our older neighbourhood where once stood a mix of smaller homes on large lots and being replaced with two very modern cloned styles with the smaller linear rectangular windows you have described. With that said; personally I don’t find them appealing as remind me of the architectural elements on historical garrisons/fortresses designed for armed artillery but then again I suppose there is always the argument of energy conservation and one has less concern how to dress them. Last but not least; as to their exterior finishes, don’t get me started … ☺. -Brenda-
I love modern architecture! From the classic modern (1920’s) through to post-modern (1970’s), I find the clean lines to be perfect. The horizontal windows are an homage to clerestory windows but without the maintenance and allow for energy efficiency. The horizontal windows in my house provide amazing light and perfectly frame views of clouds, trees and the moon. I couldn’t image living without them.
My house was built in 1964 and had, in several rooms, the awning windows I noticed on one of the black houses. My husband and I hated them and eventually, when all the windows were replaced, had them changed to regular sash windows. You would not believe the difference that made to the amount of light in our house! I should explain that the originals were two awning windows, one over the other, so you wouldn’t think the change would make such a difference in the amount of light, but it did.
I do not understand what has happened to beauty in design.
I think it was replaced by the cost of building homes skyrocketing, and increased square footage. And frankly the hubris of builders and contractors who think they are designers. Due to our lack of appreciation and ignorance of art and beauty in this country, they don’t hire qualified designers. Of course there are exceptions, but I think this is typical for homes in middle and upper middle income range. This leads to more expense and consumption due to remodeling every 10 years or so. Sadly, we commonly see historical homes in our neighborhood stripped of character with walls removed. It’s a mess.
Oh Maria this is great. Your verbiage had me instantly lol. There’s no way these homes add curb appeal to any area. It does need to fade away. Why every trend tends to go south after a bit is a head scratcher. “In moderation” is a catch phrase that stands the test of time.
Better days ahead anddd better color choices tooo lol.
Seems like new construction is primarily concerned with where to cut corners and save money on the budget. That could be a reason why builders are suddenly sticking these Vader windows everywhere?