Mid-Century Modern Architects to Know

Mid-Century Modern architecture was once considered to be a niche taste. However, these days it is making a major comeback, with some of the original mid-century modern architects achieving star status.

Architecture Before Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern architecture, which began in the 1940s, was a stark departure from the earlier styles of the period such as Art Deco. Instead of ornate details, it focused on a clean, minimalist vibe, celebrating forms and materials.

The Influencers of Mid-Century Modernism

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is considered to be one of the defining mid-century modern architects. His grandiose vision included large bourgeois homes to the soaring skyscrapers of Chicago and Detroit. His popular works included the Neue Nationalgalerie and the Seagram Building. Another notable architect is Le Corbusier. He was the leading light of the Swiss school of modern architecture and was the most renowned among the international modernists. His structures, which incorporated open plans as well as using the classical style to fit the environment of its site, included the Philips Pavilion and Notre Dame du Haut. Frank Lloyd Wright is another oft-cited name in the space, especially in the US. His iconic designs like Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum leave a lasting impression. He was known for his organic approach, in which nature, the environment, and the building were intricately intertwined.

Lesser-Known But Still Prominent

Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus Design School in Weimar, Germany in 1919. He is credited with bringing a simple, functional aesthetic to the world of interior and exterior design. He is also remembered for his expressive industrial structures that embody elements of structural expressionism, which he coined. Architect Richard Neutra is another significant name in the mid-century modern space. He is best known for his work in California and his designs focused on the conservation of resources and the importance of indoor-outdoor living. His works included the Kaufmann House and the Lovell Health House. Mid-Century Modernism featured some of the greatest architects of the 20th century and now, thanks to a renewed interest in the style, these names are being celebrated again. It is an enduring style that continues to inspire new designs today while remaining pleasingly modern.