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Modern architecture can be looked at in two ways. First, as the architecture of today, defining
how we lead our everyday lives in modern times. Secondly, as the visions and ideals that the
architects of yesterday envisioned for modern society. Either way, it is arguably more relevant
today than it ever was.
This article will take a deep dive into the topic of modern architecture, defining what it is, its
origins and history, and its characteristics. It shall also take a look at the principles of modern
architecture, a breakdown of its movements, and focus on the difference between modern and
contemporary architecture. Finally, it shall look at iconic modern buildings and iconic modern
architects.
Modern architecture became dominant after the 2nd World War when it was taken as the main
style for corporate and institutional buildings.
The first skyscraper appeared in the US as a quick response to land shortages and the exorbitant
cost of construction in the fast-growing American cities, and new technology like the use of
fireproof steel frames and safety elevators invented by Elisha Otis. The ten-story Home
Insurance Building in Chicago was the steel-framed skyscraper designed by William Le Baron
Jenney in 1883.
Louis Sullivan constructed other monumental structure at the heart of Chicago between 1904-06.
This early building however borrowed decoration styles from Neo-Gothic, Neo-renaissance and
Beaux-Arts architecture.
Later, The Woolworth Building, designed by Cass Gilbert and completed in 1912, became the
world’s tallest building until The Chrysler Building was built in 1929.
Postwar reconstruction
Two factors led to the rapid rise of modern architecture during this period. First, the industrial
demands during World War II resulted in the shortage of building materials like steel, which lead
to the adoption of new materials like aluminum. Second, there was unparalleled destruction
during the war, and buildings needed to be reconstructed.
The use of prefabricated buildings was largely expanded during the war and postwar period for
government and military buildings. Radical experimental houses like the Lustron house and
Dymaxion House were also witnessed between 1947-1950.
The government financed enormous construction projects during the postwar period to cover for
the housing shortages. These projects were carried out in cities and suburbs where land was
available. For example, the Le Havre city center was one of the biggest reconstruction projects
carried out after being destroyed by the Germans. A pioneer in the use of prefabricated materials
and reinforced concrete, Architect Auguste Perret, built an entirely new center in the city. In
2005 UNESCO declared Auguste’s rebuilt a site for World Heritage.
In the US, most of the German Bauhaus Movement leaders created new homes after relocating
there. Their newly created homes played a huge role in American Modern architecture
development.
Modern architecture
characteristics
Here are the main characteristics of modern architecture:
1. Lack of ornament: Elaborate trim and decorative moldings are eliminated, leaving
buildings clean and simple. Instead of ornamentation, the material use is executed in
interesting ways, such as meeting in unique joints.
2. The prominence of vertical and horizontal lines and rectangular forms: House shapes are
linked boxes or boxed based. A dramatic effect is created by the use of materials in vertical
forms and definite planes placed side by side against horizontal elements.
3. Horizontal massing, low, flat roofs, prominence on broad roof protrude and horizontal
planes: This is the reason why many modern houses have twisting one-story plans.
4. Modern systems and materials use: There is the intentional use of exposed material
application, such as columns made of steel, use of concrete block as finished material,
exposed and stained concrete floors, open column-free spaces permitted by steel trusses, and
enhanced human comfort by heating systems.
5. Traditional materials used in revolutionized ways: Modern aesthetic is achieved by the
use of brick, wood, and stone in simple ways. Simple vertical boards replace the traditional
siding clapboard. Smooth, large planes of cladding are also used. Stonework and brick are
unornamented and simple, used in rectilinear planes and masses.
6. Emphasis on the honesty of materials: For example, in order to express its natural look,
wood is stained instead of being painted.
7. Relationship of interior sites and spaces: The building’s site is brought into effect by use
of massive glass expanses, to take advantage of natural landscaping and dramatic views.
8. Prominence to flowing and open interior spaces: Dining, kitchen, and living spaces tend
to flow together as part of one continuous interior space.
9. Magnanimous natural light and glass use: Instead of using windows as potholes to the
outside, it gives preference to use of large glass walls introducing the natural light to the
inside.
10. Enhanced human comfort by use of shading and sun: They take advantage of natural
forces like solar energy and cool openings to enhance comfort in different seasons.
Principles of modern
architecture
There are two far-reaching principles of modernism namely: Form follows function and Truth to
materials.
Form follows function
This principle states that the purpose of the building should form the starting point for the design
rather than beauty. It is also referred to as functionalism. It was first coined by Louis Sullivan, an
American architect.
Truth to materials
This principle states that materials should be used in places where they are best suited without
concealing the material’s character and look. For instance, exposed concrete to be left unpainted
and timber unpolished for its natural grain to be seen. The theory was championed by the
Bauhaus Movement which took it as a core principle and maintained that materials to be used in
their ‘honest’ form.
Breakdown of Modern
Movements
Art Deco:
Art Deco is a style that first appeared in France before the 1st World War. It derives its name
from Arts Décoratifs, in the Exposition Internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes
(International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) that was held 1925 in Paris.
The style combines modern styles rich materials and fine craftsmanship representing glamour,
luxury, exuberance, and faith in technological progress.
Brutalism:
Brutalist style, or Brutalism, became popular in the 1970s. It originated from the modernist
architectural movement. It is defined by unique block-like structures and mostly features
building materials that are bare. Exposed concrete is favored in construction. However, some
buildings were primarily made by bricks. It began in Europe but can now be found all over the
world. The style has been used mainly in institutional buildings constructions.
Constructivist architecture:
The constructivist architecture movement was largely used in the Soviet Union between 1920s-
1930s. It combined engineering with advanced technology with the social purpose of the
Communist. It fell out of favor in 1932.
Deconstructivism:
Deconstructivism started around the 1980s. It gives a fragmented impression of the building
constructed. It is defined by the absence of continuity, symmetry, and harmony. The idea came
from the name ‘deconstruction’, coined by Jacques Derrida, a French philosopher. The visual
appearance of the finished building is defined by controlled chaos and unpredictability.
Neoplasticism:
De Stijl, or Neoplasticism, is a movement that was founded in Leiden in 1917. It consisted of
architects and artists who advocated for universality and pure abstraction by reduction of
essentials of color and form. Visual compositions were simplified to horizontal and vertical,
using only primary colors, black and white.
Expressionism:
Expressionism is a movement of architecture in Europe born in the 20th century. In Western and
Northern Germany, a movement called Brick Expressionism is a variant of the Expressionist
movement. The style forms a part of the three modern architecture dominant styles.
Futurist architecture:
Futurist architecture started in Italy. It's defined by dynamic long lines, strong chromatic-ism,
suggesting motion, speed, lyricism, and urgency. Poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti founded an
artistic movement called Futurism in 1990, which the Futurist movement is part of. The
movement attracted architects like Antonio Sant’Elia who translated its vision into an urban
form.
High-tech architecture:
High-tech architecture (as shown below), or Structural Expressionism, started in 1970s
incorporating technology and the high tech industry in building designs. It serves as a bridge
between postmodernism and modernism.
International Style:
The International Style was developed between 1920s-1930s. Its first proponents were Philip
Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock, who were curators at Modern Art Museum in 1932. It is
defined by lightweight use, emphasizes on volume over mass, industrial materials, all ornament
and color rejection, modular forms repetition and flat surface use, alternating typically with glass
areas.
Metabolism:
Metabolism gained its first recognition internationally at the CIAM 1959 meeting. Students from
Kenzo Tange’s MIT Studio were the first to test the idea.
Mid-century modern:
Mid-century modern (MCM) was first affirmed by Cara Greenberg in her book titled, Mid-
Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. It celebrated the style that is recognized by museums
worldwide and scholars as an important design movement.
Modern architecture:
Finally, modern architecture emerged and became dominant after the 2nd World War until the
1980s before being replaced by Postmodern Architecture. It put emphasis on the use of steel,
glass, reinforced concrete, and that form should follow function.
What is contemporary
architecture?
Contemporary architecture is the architecture of today and now. Contemporary architects can
work with different styles, from high-tech and postmodernism architecture to expressive and
greatly conceptual styles, on an enormous or tiny scale.
Contemporary designs are meant to astonish and be noticed. For instance, some skyscrapers
break shimmer and change color during different times of day.
Postmodern architecture
This movement was introduced by Robert Venturi, an architectural theorist, and Denise Scott
Brown an urban planner in 1960s. Their aim was to react against the formality, lack of variety
and austerity of modern architecture, especially the international style which was advocated by
Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. It became very popular between 1980s-1990s
especially in the work of Philip Johnson, Scott Brown & Venturi, Charles Moore, and Michael
Graves.
Soon after, however, it was divided into many new smaller styles, such as modern classicism,
deconstructivism and high-tech architecture.
It was a weekend home that was mainly made of steel and glass. Like Fallingwater, this house
also suffered defects like leaking roofs. Johnson described it jokingly as a ‘four-bucket house.’
Villa Savoye (1931), Paris, France
This house was constructed for the Savoyes, a family house for a retreat. It was located in the
outskirts of Paris. It had distinct features that manifested the ‘five points’ endorsed by Le
Corbusier. The house included an open plan, reinforced concrete column grids, a roof garden, an
independent facade, and horizontal windows.
The building was refurbished by Avanti Architects in 2003. After refurbishment, the building got
a communal gallery in the garage which was used to sell the history of this building. This block
was listed as a ‘Grade I-building’ and is among the major architectural landmarks in Britain.
This museum was spirally designed and holds many key galleries and art collections. It is
designed to take you on a never-ending journey dissolving all obstacles between its spaces. The
geometric shapes that dominated modern architecture were described by Frank as geometric
forms that suggested human ideas, sentiments, and moods. The circle showed infinity, triangle-
unity, square-integrity, and spiral- organic progress. He saw this building as a ‘temple of the
spirit.’
This building was made of rough-cast concrete, Le Corbusier intended to include steel frames,
but unfortunately, World war II made this material hard to find.
Since 2016, the large structure has been used as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zaha Hadid :
Zaha was born in Iraq on 31st October 1950. She created forms defined by the unconventional,
futuristic, artistic and daring. She became the first female architect to win the Pritzker
Architecture and later also won the iconic Nobel peace prize of architecture. Her famous projects
include Opera House in Guangzhou and MAXXI-The National Museum of the 21st Century Arts
the Bridge Pavilion in Zaragoza among others.
Philip Johnson
Philip was born on 8th July 1906 in America. He was the founder of the Department of
Architecture and Design at the Modern Art Museum of New York City. His minimalist style of
amazing use of steel, glass and later crystal became renowned worldwide. His famous projects
include The Seagram Building in New York City and The Crystal Cathedral in California among
others.
Tom Wright:
Tom was born on 18th September 1957 in Britain. He is recognized worldwide for being the
architect behind the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.
Renzo Piano:
Renzo was born in Italy on 14th September 1937. He worked with Louis Kahn, a renowned
architect, in his younger years. He became famous for his outstanding applications of details and
materials which shaped modern architecture. In 2008 Renzo was named one of top 100 most
influential people by Time magazine. His famous projects include Shard in London, England and
The New York Times building in New York among others.
Jean Nouvel:
Jean was born in France on 12th August 1945. He has won many prestigious honors and awards
including The 2008 Pritzker Prize. His famous projects include the Arab World Institute in Paris
and Dentsu Building in Tokyo among others.
Moshe Safdie:
Safdie was born on 14th July 1938. He is also a Louis Khan apprentice. He became famous for
his Expo 67, The 1967 International and Universal Exposition in Canada. For the Universal
Exposition in Canada, he was awarded a Gold Medal by the Royal Architectural Institute of
Canada. His famous projects include Habitat 67 in Montreal and The National Gallery of Canada
among others.