Minimalist Architecture — Prompt Starters & Materials

Monolithic white minimalist house with frameless glass and soft diffuse lighting
Monolithic volume, frameless glass, microcement surfaces, and controlled diffuse light.

Minimalism prioritizes proportion, light, and surface quality. Keep the palette restrained, the geometry legible, and the lighting soft to avoid visual noise.

  • Prompt starters: monolithic white volume, hidden lighting, frameless glass.
  • Materials: microcement, pale oak, linen textures.
  • Lighting: soft, diffuse, shadow control.

Prompt Starters (Copy-Paste)

Exterior

minimalist house exterior, monolithic white volume, frameless floor-to-ceiling glass,
razor-clean edges, microcement terrace, pale oak accent at entry, overcast soft light,
28–35mm lens, balanced composition, high detail, 16:9

Interior

minimalist living room interior, pale oak floor, microcement walls, linen sofa,
concealed cove lighting, soft diffuse daylight, frameless glazing, uncluttered, 28–32mm lens, 16:9

Optional negatives: no heavy textures, no patterned decor, no busy shadows, no watermark, no logos.

Material Palettes That Read as Minimalist

Surfaces

  • Microcement (light gray, matte, continuous surface).
  • Plaster (smooth lime, warm white, matte).
  • Large-format porcelain (subtle variation, low grout visibility).

Warm Accents

  • Pale oak (clear finish, minimal grain).
  • Bleached ash or birch veneer.
  • Textured linen fabrics (neutral tones).

Glazing & Metal

  • Frameless glass or ultra-thin mullions.
  • Brushed aluminum (low reflectance).
  • Recessed hardware; avoid ornamentation.

Lighting & Composition Notes

  • Overcast/daylight: use diffuse light to reduce hard shadows and keep edges pristine.
  • Interior cove lighting: concealed sources prevent glare and hot spots.
  • Lens choice: 28–35 mm maintains geometry without distortion.
  • Composition: emphasize negative space; align edges to grid.

Troubleshooting (Common Defects → Fixes)

  • Patchy walls: specify “smooth plaster, even tone, matte finish.”
  • Glare on glass: reduce key light; add “low reflectance, controlled specular.”
  • Busy textures: add “subtle micro-variation, no heavy grain, no patterns.”
  • Perspective warping: lock lens at 28–35 mm; request “level camera, minimal distortion.”

Do / Don’t (Quick Guardrails)

Do

  • Limit palette to 2–3 materials per scene.
  • Use matte finishes to keep surfaces calm.
  • Keep composition clean with generous negative space.

Don’t

  • Introduce ornate details or heavy patterns.
  • Over-light the scene; avoid harsh shadows.
  • Mix too many finishes—clarity beats variety.

Changelog

  • 2025-09-25 — Added prompt starters, materials, lighting and troubleshooting.
  • 2025-09-12 — Initial minimalist primer and hero image.