Architecture in Pakistan – Modern or Traditional?

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Like everything that you see evolving around the world, architecture has bought the most eye-catching developments. Architecture in Pakistan interests pretty much everybody, depending on what kind of taste one has for architectural design.

Different people, or let’s just say, different generations have developed different tastes based which can vary from design to design. For example, some might follow more of a traditional theme. Like that of the late 90s or the early 2000s and some would opt for the whole opposite of vintage, which is everything that is in the trend.

Within the architectural schematics, there are various elements to focus on. Starting from the entire design and zoning process till the material and construction of it; right until the final masterpiece is ready, everything is based on preferences.

In this war of thoughts and decisions between modern and vintage or traditional architecture, designs and schematics can vary, depending majorly upon the type of construction. For instance, residential trends are definitely going to differ from the trends of commercial and industrial structural designs. For obvious reasons. the exterior and the interior both consist of different planning when in a commercial and residential structure. In a residential structure, there is a need for a bedroom, with an attached bathroom, which should have a wardrobe section. Then there is the kitchen, a living, a drawing for your guests. Whereas, in a commercial structure, shops, changing area, more shops, more changing areas and a huge hallway with lots and lots of pillars and beautification.

Modern Pakistan Housing Design

Let’s take a look down below for the trending modern architecture in Pakistan:

Now, as you can see, the modern Pakistan architecture design is in close relevance to what you see above but; what do you actually see above, especially from an architectural point of you. The foundation has a slight beautification added. Actually, calling it slight is an understatement, because you can spot a bit of plantation. You can see that the steps leading to the front door have pathway lighting in it, then can you also spot that tiny-cool-looking fountain shower on the bottom left? Yes!

That’s the modern way of beautification through design, which you can see in the architecture in Pakistan.

From the foundation to the tile on the front elevation, everything is a trending architectural style currently. Let’s talk a little about beautification through design:


In the recent days, during the PSL tournament all hyped-up in Lahore, we saw all around on the Canal Road, which was dazzlingly decorated and all light up. You could drive around there was the plantation, and lighting and all of it was made visually appealing. Now that’s a tiny example of beautification, through design.


The vintage designs are more based on the brick house or grainy exterior structural designs. This may include brick houses with a flat lower foundation, a yard on the side, and a small terrace.


Moreover, another example of the vintage structural preference is the grainy or village-themed exteriors, modernized with stylish vintage-themed lighting, plantation, and old-style fountains.

Now let’s talk about the commercial and industrial changes or preferences that are based on the category of the architectural structure. Now, in the commercial aspects, we can take an example of the widely popular restaurants, shopping malls, food streets, and other architectural beautifications developed in Pakistan over time especially in our major cities.

Commercial Architecture Designs

Look at the image below for reference:

On the left hand, you can see a shopping mall, which is based on a modern, middle-eastern theme. The image is of The Dolmen City Mall, of Karachi which is a widely popular shopping place located at Clifton. Then on the right side, you can see the well-recognized ‘Village by Salt ‘n’ Pepper’ which is based completely on a traditional, vintage theme, even the interior including taste.

As you can see that it solely depends on the preference of either the market or the builder/investor to present either a modern structure or a vintage one. Depending upon how well they are designed, both have value and both look equally beautiful. In Pakistan, beautification through architectural design has caught speed since the real estate industry has been encouraged in recent times. From the 90s to the 20th century we have seen more architectural reforms than ever before, as if it’s like the era of modernization, still the medieval structures are often preferred because obviously, who can forget the historic transformations and every now and then, you need something that reminds you of how the world used to be and what has changed into what.

P.S. Modern structure house for sale are a good source of investment.

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