In this paper, a novel approach is proposed for the reduced order modelling of linear time invariant (LTI) systems. The proposed approach is a combination of modified Big bang big crunch (BBBC) optimization algorithm and Pade approximation technique. The beauty of the proposed approach is that the selection of solution space for BBBC algorithm is not entirely random, but structured via the use of Pade approximation approach. Hence, two principal criticisms of soft computing algorithms, i.e., random choice of solution space and larger simulation time are averted in the proposed technique. The proposed technique is substantiated via four different numerical examples from literature and compared with existing model order reduction (MOR) techniques. The concept of controller design is introduced via application of fractional order internal model control technique for load frequency control of power systems. Further, BBBC algorithm is employed to tune a boiler loop in power station. The results convey the efficiency and powerfulness of the proposed technique.