Hye.
I am a french student in master of architecture, and i am working on a memory.
The subject is: "luxury and architecture". I know that this kind of thems were ever explain in this forum, but only french people had answered to this question. Is luxury a very expansive material in a project? is it an excessive design of the space? is it the "lest is more" with great volums and surfaces, white walls and high windows? I am waiting for your opinion.
If you have some example of something you consider as luxury architecture, you're welcome.
I hope to read you soon.
Thanks.
ASD.

Hi, I'm an architect, Istudied in Venice, and I find such a question very interesting.
I believe, in any case, luxury to be something expensive, which is not necessary and or which can be done in cheaper way. A floor can be done with golden tiles or with bricks. The first is luxury.
But if I build a house with a golden tiles floor, do I do architecture or I just build something luxurious?
So we should define what architecture is and this is a long theme.
Remaining inside architecture field I believe luxury is something exclusive and expensive, not necessarly because of the materials, but because of the time and craftmenship required: let's think to a venetian floor, to a marmorino, or to a japanese tea room. Tadao Ando bulids luxury villas using beton in a simple, but very careful and expensive way.
L`opera de Paris by Garnier is an exemple of academic luxury.
I will be glad to read some other ideas about this topic

I am glad to have your opinion because full of my teachers say that luxury is only architecture modernity,concepts,  with great volums and surfaces, long walls... But in the past luxury was a sociologic mean, i am reading a book about rich people during Louis XIV in France, and it's very interesting to see how the way of life had changed. Luxury private hotel with expansive decorations, a situation in the country witch reveal how many money you had....
My director of memory said me that i must begin by an historic definition of luxury, not only in architecture. And then, i must work on the architecte's role to change manners. He said me that the architect belongs a high social class and works for the same class.  
What is the results of this?
Is luxury of Tadao Ando accessible to the main people?
Is luxury not only a concept to reveal your own personnality?
I think architecture is ever a luxury. Call an architecte to construct your house is ever a luxury meaning.
If you know some books or some press articles on this subject, i will be glad you to send me.
As soon as i started to write my memory, i will give some more informations.

pinkmartini i totally agree with you, that even if you call an architect to design your house, this may be luxury.  
 
 however, the number of diverse opinions already proves that luxury is something subjective (subjectif). A marble floor may be luxury for me for i have a wooden floor, however it may be nothing for somebody who has a golden-tiled floor.  
 
 But it is not only a matter of money, but of mentality as well. My grandma loves to have a house full with decoration crap, photos and little gifts that make me crazy. She thinks that the more  stuffed up her living room is, the more luxurious it is. On the other hand, I prefer bright, big rooms, with a lot of space so that I can dance on my free time. That is luxury for me, but poverty for my grandma. So, let it be. Our clients will have their own ideology as well. Dont worry too much, just clarify your own, and know what you like!!