Complementary architecture

Complementary architecture is a movement in contemporary architecture that emphasizes a holistic, context-aware practice. It aims to contribute to and enhance an environment's pre-existing qualities through essential characteristics like sustainability, altruism, contextualism, endemism, and the continuity of a specific regional design language. ^{[1] [ clarification needed ]}

Complementary architecture is mostly used as a majority of structures before the 20th century. ^[2]

Etymology

Australian architect Jiri Lev coined the term in his Manifesto of Complementary Architecture (MOCA) in 2015, ^{[3] [ clarification needed ]} creating it as a response to the increasing impact of globalized design trends and their lack of local sensitivity. True to its meaning, the word 'complement' stems from the Latin complementum (derived from complēre, "to fill, complete"),^{[ clarification needed ]} a root that is reflected in its contemporary meanings related to completion or accomplishment.

Critics

This movement specifically rejects contemporary architects' focus on building individual structures instead of cohesive cities, asserting that a building's value is derived from its architectural context. It views the modern contrast with nature and surroundings—often driven by a desire for innovation—as selfish and inevitably destructive. ^{[4] [5]} Adherents claim that the 20th century move away from traditional and decorative forms was viewed by socialists as a mark of simplicity and solidarity, and by capitalists as efficient. They thus conclude that "virtually all buildings constructed before the 20th century were beautiful," suggesting that contemporary architectural beauty is merely a matter of "recovering old customs." ^[6]

Examples

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  City Gate, Valletta
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  Facade of hotel Fouquet
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  Seaside Chaple
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  Basshall
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Reflist

1. Lev, Jiri (10 June 2019). "Manifesto Of Complementary Architecture". Archived from the original on 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2020-10-19..
2. Tiwari, Srushti (2021-02-06). "Architectural Theory: Complementary architecture". RTF | Rethinking The Future. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
3. Lev Jiri, Manifesto of Complementary Architecture (MOCA), Newcastle, Austalia, 1st edition, 2015.
4. Salingaros, Nikos A. (2013). Unified Architectural Theory: Form, Language, Complexity. Vajra Books, Thamel. ISBN   978-9937623056.
5. Glendinning, Miles (2010). Architecture's Evil Empire: The Triumph and Tragedy of Global Modernism. Reaktion Books. ISBN   978-1-86189-981-1.
6. Robinson, Adrian Rennix & Nathan J. (2017-10-31). "Why You Hate Contemporary Architecture". Current Affairs. ISSN   2471-2647 . Retrieved 2025-10-07.

See also

• Architecture portal

• Sustainable architecture
• Contemporarry architecture