EYE-CATCHING new architecture is growing in popularity among Yangon home-owners, as interest in contemporary styles spreads. And local architects and builders are making bold use of materials – some new, some traditional – to attract attention and present a novel look.

U Kyaw Thet, an architect with Three Friends Construction, said that contemporary buildings had begun their rise in popularity since early this year. “Because of the different designs available, contemporary structures are convenient for every-thing from homes and shops to office buildings, and they get more attention from people,” he said.

“The advantage of using materials such as iron frame, glass and composite is that construction can be completed quickly,” he added.

“And using glass and natural essence decoration in contemporary buildings offers residents the feeling of freedom and closeness with nature.” U Kyaw Thet said that the use of top-quality materials was not cheap, whatever the design. Architect U Aung Myint of Amenity Design Group said it was the novel appearance of contemporary styles that contributed to their recent popularity, as compared to the classical look. He said the widespread use of glass and modern materials lent itself to designs that stressed openness and a feeling of modernity.

“But the quality of the materials and the skill of the craftsmen are particularly important in the construction of contemporary buildings,” he said.

Another architect, U Si Thu Myint Swe, said foreign travel had contributed to the growing popularity of the contemporary look since late last year.

“People travel abroad more often and see sharp and creative buildings design, so they are interested in shaping their own creation with those designs,” he said. “In the past, people were reluctant to accept different designs in contem-porary structure, but now we have demands from some home-owners to use simple contemporary designs.”

He said building materials that were suitable for contemporary designs were easily available on the market – another reason for the emergence of that kind of building.

U Si Thu Myint Swe said that number of craftsmen sufficiently skilled in
the construction of contemporary designs was limited at this stage, and that the widespread use of more traditional styles would also continue in 2008.