Architectural Trends in Urban Living Spaces

November 29, 2023

Contemporary architecture's challenge of optimizing living spaces has sparked ingenious design solutions that blend innovation and comfort seamlessly. We have selected four inspirational OTIIMA-accentuated projects that embody architectural brilliance's essence.



Small Space Optimization: House at St Niklaas, Belgium


The House at St Niklaas, a creation by Element Architecten in Belgium, is a testament to innovative design thinking. The partly double-height apartments in the garden present an eccentric yet attractive layout. Natural materials and calming colours infuse a sense of tranquillity into the two-floor apartment, enveloped by neighbouring villas. OTIIMA's minimalist windows play a pivotal role, strategically placed to create an illusion of expansive spaces. With 4-meter window panels framing critical areas like the living and dining rooms, the interior seamlessly merges with the exterior, offering panoramic views of the surrounding patio.


Contemporary Aesthetics: Residence at Prapanca


Exemplifying sophistication, the Residence at Prapanca, designed by Thomas Elliott and PAI, showcases a contemporary aesthetic that redefines urban living.

Spanning approximately 4800 sqm over two stories, the house is enveloped by OTIIMA's minimalist windows, emphasizing clean lines and minimalistic features. The strategic placement of windows creates a captivating visual, giving the impression of the house floating over an exquisite swimming pool. This project epitomizes modern urban living trends with a touch of sophistication.


Integration of Nature: House in Melides


A harmonious integration with nature takes centre stage in the House in Melides by architect Aires Mateus. Set in the vast landscape of Alentejo, this project draws inspiration from the ruin of a Roman house, creating a grid of spaces defined by artisanal bricks. The OTIIMA windows enhance the intimate connection between the interior and the natural surroundings, allowing inhabitants to immerse themselves in unique experiences, atmospheres, and colours within the various gardens.



Innovative and Sustainable Design: Vogue Homes


Correia Ragazzi's project at Vogue Homes is an example of intelligent and sustainable design. Featuring the OTIIMA Larglass Curtain Wall, composed of cutting-edge fibreglass technology, this project prioritizes resistance, durability, and energy efficiency. 


Larglass, a fibreglass composite system, reduces energy costs and aligns with Passivhaus certification standards. Moreover, its low-polluting production process, incorporating recycled elements, reflects a commitment to environmental protection, making it an inspiration for sustainable urban living.

Innovative and Sustainable Design: Vogue Homes


These selected projects show how architecture can ensure that existing and new buildings can be revitalised, building materials can be used innovatively, and most importantly, how the windows' selection may change the whole feeling and comfort of a space.

Five Lessons from Mies van der Rohe for Architects Today

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 27, 2025
March 27 marks the anniversary of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His philosophy, built on clarity, simplicity, and material honesty, continues to inspire contemporary architecture. His work embodies a timeless vision that remains as relevant as ever. Here are five key lessons architects today can learn from Mies van der Rohe. Less is More Perhaps his most famous principle, “Less is more,” summarizes Mies’ approach to design: stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the essential. His buildings are characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, and an absence of ornamentation. This philosophy encourages architects to prioritize spatial clarity and material integrity, resulting in structures that are modern and enduring.

The Essence of Scandinavian Architecture and Design

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 20, 2025
Scandinavian architecture and design represent a deep connection between nature, functionality, and the human experience. Grounded in a landscape of vast fjords, endless forests, and soft northern light, it reflects a unique philosophy and way of life. The Origins  The origins of Scandinavian architecture date back to the Viking era, when timber structures and intricate carvings reflected a profound connection to materiality and craftsmanship. As centuries unfolded, this reverence for natural materials persisted, evolving with the changing needs of modern society. The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of Nordic Classicism, a restrained yet elegant style that soon gave way to a more functional and human-centric approach: Scandinavian Modernism.

Belgian Architecture: A Mosaic of Heritage and Modernism

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 13, 2025
Belgium’s topography is a delicate balance between history and modernity. From Bruges's medieval charm to Antwerp and Brussels's bold contemporary structures, architecture here is a study in balance. Minimalism finds a profound expression where clean lines, raw materials, and seamless transitions define space. At OTIIMA, we are privileged to contribute to this evolving narrative, shaping spaces where glass dissolves into air, thresholds blur, and architecture becomes an experience. In Belgium, three projects reference our philosophy: Villa Izegem, Villa P, and Villa V à Harelbeke. Villa Izegem | Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects Villa Izegem is an ode to minimalism in its purest form. Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects sculpted a space where vast glass expanses erase the boundary between nature and dwelling. The land breathes through the structure, light carving its way across surfaces, shifting with time. OTIIMA’s ultra-slim profiles amplify this sense of weightlessness, ensuring that nothing interrupts the dialogue between inside and out. The villa is not simply inhabited; it’s a quiet retreat where transparency is the ultimate luxury.

5 Iconic Projects Designed by Women in Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 8, 2025
Visionary minds have long shaped the architecture industry, yet women architects have fought for recognition in a male-dominated field for decades. Today, their contributions are undeniable, with groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of design, functionality, and sustainability. This article highlights a few remarkable projects led by women architects that demonstrate their profound impact on modern architecture. 1. Heydar Aliyev Center – Zaha Hadid  Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable example of architectural fluidity and innovation. The building features a sinuous, wave-like form that challenges traditional architectural norms, creating an uninterrupted spatial experience. Renowned for her bold and futuristic designs, Hadid proved that architecture can be functional and sculptural. The center is a cultural hub that embodies modernity and movement in its design.

Liu Jiakun Awarded 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 6, 2025
Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been honored with the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, recognizing his contributions to contemporary architecture. This prestigious award, often called the "Nobel Prize of Architecture," celebrates Liu's work, which harmoniously blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern functionality.

The Architectural Influence in Cinema

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 27, 2025
As the 2025 Academy Awards approach, the spotlight is once again on the art of filmmaking, a fusion of storytelling, visual composition, and immersive world-building. Among the many crafts that shape a film’s identity, set design plays a pivotal role in defining cinematic spaces' realism and aesthetic coherence. The relationship between film and architecture is more than just a visual spectacle; it studies how space, light, and structure influence perception and emotion. 

Form, Light, and Landscape: The Architecture of Mário Martins

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 20, 2025
Mário Martins is synonymous with elegant architectural language that integrates contemporary design with the raw beauty of the Algarve. His projects embrace southern Portugal's unique topography, light, and atmosphere, crafting sculptural spaces intimately connected to their surroundings. At the core of his work is a dedication to purity, fluidity, and precision. This article explores three extraordinary residences where OTIIMA’s minimalist window systems enhance the architectural vision: Libre House, Voluta House, and Lioz House. Libre House  Perched atop a gentle slope, Casa Libre epitomizes the dialogue between architecture and nature. Its monolithic white forms contrast with the rugged landscape, creating a visual serenity that extends beyond its physical boundaries. The expansive glass façades dissolve the separation between interior and exterior, framing panoramic views of the Atlantic horizon. Here, ‘liberty’ is a tangible experience of openness, weightlessness, and a deep connection with the surrounding elements.

Vision 62 Series: Breaking the Barriers of Minimalist Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 13, 2025
The essence of the Vision system is the art of framing nature without intrusion. Inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s "less is more" philosophy and Le Corbusier’s concept of the horizontal window, Vision transcends conventional boundaries to create a connection between interior and exterior spaces. A Revolution in Minimalist Design  Minimalist architecture is about purity, function, and seamless integration. Vision system sliding windows redefine architectural transparency by eliminating visual obstructions and maximizing natural light. Unlike traditional systems that rely on frames as structural supports, Vision takes a radical approach: glass becomes the self-supporting element, free to slide without dimensional constraints. The result is a panoramic window that dissolves the barriers between solid and void, between built form and nature. The frame no longer dictates design but transforms into a discreet guide, leveling out across the periphery and erasing all intrusive lines. The transition between indoors and outdoors is no longer an interruption but a fluid continuum. Read also- Less Is More: The Path of Minimalism in Architecture

845 Sea Ranch Drive: A Paradigm of Contemporary Architecture by The Warner Group

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 6, 2025
Situated in Santa Barbara, 845 Sea Ranch Drive offers expansive vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Designed by The Warner Group, this residence showcases luxury interwoven with advanced design principles and the natural environment. Architecture and Landscape The home presents a subtle façade from the exterior, whereas the interior reveals designed spaces that engage seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Expansive glass doors and adaptive skylights eliminate barriers between indoor and outdoor environments. This design strategy allows natural light and ocean breezes to permeate the space while the elevated residence positioning optimizes panoramic views toward the horizon.

5 Must-Visit Art and Architecture Destinations in Munich

By OTIIMA MMTW • January 9, 2025
Munich is celebrated for its significant cultural legacy and avant-garde architecture, and it is an active participant in the discourse of design and creativity. As you engage with the innovative spirit of the BAU fair, consider exploring five key sites that exemplify Munich's architectural and artistic ethos. 1. Pinakothek der Moderne This institution is a paradigm of modernity, housing one of Europe's largest collections dedicated to modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. Conceived by architect Stephan Braunfels, the structure features a rigorous minimalist aesthetic of concrete and glass, promoting an integrated experience between the exhibits and the architectural frame. The Design Museum within is particularly noteworthy, as it traces the evolution of industrial design from its inception to the present. See also- January 2025 Agenda: A Global Month for Architects and Designers
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