What Is Midcentury Modern Architecture?

Known for clean lines, minimal decoration, and a connection with nature, midcentury modern architecture is an American classic that began after World War II. A midcentury modern house plan is characterized by a wide, low footprint with large, open spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in.

Although midcentury modern architecture boomed all across America from 1945 to 1969, it's seen a major resurgence in recent years. Interior decorating styles that draw inspiration from midcentury style, like Scandinavian design and Danish Modern, have made this style accessible to millions of new homeowners.

History

European architects fleeing war-torn Germany brought midcentury modern architecture to the United States, taking influences from Bauhaus and American high-prairie style homes along the way. Some original midcentury modern designers include Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer. Frank Lloyd Wright, the father of modern architecture, trained many midcentury modern architects.

After World War II, Americans prioritized lifestyle, family time, and spending time in nature. Midcentury modern homes built across America's suburbs reflected those ideals, with large windows that provided views of homeowners' backyards, open living spaces where the whole family could entertain, and technological upgrades—especially in the kitchen—so homeowners spent less time cleaning and more time with family.

Midcentury modern architecture was divided into three distinct styles as it emerged:

1. International: Inspired by international architects, the Bauhaus movement heavily influenced this version of midcentury modern architecture. Homes were simple, with little or no decoration, and typically finished with stucco.
2. Contemporary: The most popular midcentury modern style, contemporary homes featured clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and more natural, organic-feeling materials, like wood, stone, and brick. Many of these homes have asymmetrical exteriors with windows extending to the roofline and exposed ceilings and beams in the interior.
3. Organic: A smaller subset of midcentury modern architects emphasized blending homes into natural surroundings. Rather than building structures with sharp lines and right angles, they embraced homes with more natural shapes that were heavily influenced by their natural surroundings. An organic midcentury modern house in a forest would look entirely different than an organic midcentury modern house in the desert.

Characteristics of Midcentury Modern House Plans

Although there are three versions of this style of architecture, most of these houses in the United States share the following must-have elements of midcentury modern homes:

Clean Lines and Geometric Shapes

Straight lines and right angles are essential to midcentury modern architecture. Although many modern ranch-style homes feature gabled roofs or asymmetrical exteriors, most midcentury modern homes have flat roofs with straight lines.

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows

The original midcentury modern homes emphasized nature and lifestyle, so they were built with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the yard, sliding glass doors, and many access points to the outdoors.

Changes in Elevation

Many midcentury modern homes are split-level, with short staircases connecting rooms throughout the house. Partial brick or glass walls, fireplaces centered in rooms, and cabinetry all added depth and variation in elevation in the homes' interiors.

Minimal Decoration

Although some midcentury modern styles are more ornate than others, simplicity is a key characteristic of the movement. Simple furnishings with clean lines and a muted color palette complement the homes' simple exteriors. Midcentury modern colors include warm earth tones such as orange, brown, mustard, or golden yellow. Though these are popular colors from this period, not all colors are found in every home of this style.

Access to the Outdoors

Connecting with nature is a key value in midcentury modern architecture. Most midcentury modern homes have multiple access points to the outdoors. In some homes, even single rooms have several doors and windows to access the outdoor living space.

Where to Find Midcentury Modern Homes

Midcentury modern homes were built across the United States as soldiers returned from World War II. You'll find midcentury modern homes in virtually every town and state.

However, you'll find the largest collection of midcentury modern homes in Palm Springs, California. Some of the world's most famous midcentury modern architects built homes, hotels, motels, and other structures in Palm Springs, and much of the area's new construction replicates the style.

Midcentury modern buildings are also popular in New York City. You'll recognize the Met Breuer, Ford Foundation building, and 520 Fifth Avenue building by their glass facades and linear architecture detailing the elements of the design period.