Emerging in the mid-20th century, modern architecture has been a blend of functionality with aesthetics. Many well-known star architects like Frank Llyod Wright, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Frank Gehry endorsed this movement all over America to catch a global eye. This led to a full-fledged multiplicity of the structure by structure to create a worldwide impact of this new architectural style. Let’s learn about the modern contemporary homes.
Wright introduced the Prairie style that boasted decorative glass windows and wooden frames that merge architecture as well as the environment. The style created a huge impact on what we call the architecture of today. Although many times it also seems that modern architecture has many detractors, even though this movement has influenced residential architecture majorly through its open plans to the unique means of construction. History also traces back part of modernism to the 19th century neo-classical age as well as to the 20th-century industrial revolution. Although traces of some of the finest houses in that era cannot be denied with the correlation to the movement now.
Here we are sharing some of the most iconic takes on Modern Contemporary Homes that are a must-see and study in today’s time. Since these movements are timeless, you can find your relevance in each of these homes.
What Is Modern Contemporary Architecture?
When we say, Modern contemporary architectural style, we are merging mid-century with contemporary in one canvas. Modern homes can come from a range of concepts, for example, a modern home can be with massive windows, concrete floors, and black steel in a Miesian Aesthetic (Architecture inspired by the famous 20th-century architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe). Another can be relaxed with earthy woods and natural elements in a more modern Californian aesthetic (Architecture inspired by the late 1940s art movement in Los Angeles). Both of these homes are considered modern contemporary homes or contemporary modern homes.
What Are The Characteristics Of A Modern Contemporary Homes?
The ideal way to pick out a modern contemporary style home is by identifying the use of clean lines and sleek surfaces. They also have gentle curves with open living spaces while using different materials like glass, wood, and metal. The furniture for the same is also very minimalist and sleek. They are strongly based on the concept that ‘Form Follows Function’. Here functionality is the key, but that does not mean that they lack aesthetics. Some of the most iconic and awarded homes in various countries are modern contemporary homes.
Here are some of our favorite Modern Contemporary Homes. Some of the homes in the list are the architectural marvels that have refined the time then while some are rethinking their takes by going back in time and making it more efficient.
12 Exquisite and Modern Contemporary Homes
Let’s explore various modern contemporary home designs, modern contemporary modular homes, small modern contemporary homes, modern and contemporary homes new modern contemporary homes and luxury modern contemporary homes:
12. Modern Contemporary Style Home: The Krishnan House by Khosla and Associates
A blend of vernacular aesthetic in a surrounding naturistic backdrop creates an ideal backdrop for this contemporary modern take created by Khosla and Associates. Built-in 2015 in Bengaluru, India, this project has a segregating spatial flow of private and public spaces. The ground floor has the living, dining spaces along with a home theatre, while the upper level has the bedrooms, and meditation spaces.
Taking about the modern contemporary homes interior, the study and living room have their verandahs that are surrounded by the fishpond. This modern and contemporary home uses minimalistic material in its raw form to accentuate the structure. The rustic orange staircase thus becomes the centre piece in the home amidst the backdrop built-in subtle of materials.
11. The DIYA House by SPASM Design Architects: Modern Contemporary Architectural style
Built in 2016, this house in Ahmedabad, India is a unique take on unifying traditional Indian design styles in a contemporary modern way with the use of local materials. Vernacular elements like courtyards, jaalis, harmoniously create a modern language within the backdrop of traditionality. The addition of verandahs in the homes adds a sense of subtle traditionality which accentuates the aesthetics by making them timeless.
The house has an exquisite level of craftsmanship. The organic plan is bounded by rammed earth with high thermal mass, vertical pivoting wooden louvers, and top hung windows. The corners of the house consists of Jaalis in patterns of trees and branches, which reflect the architectural winder of Ahmedabad, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque Jaali.
10. Miller House by Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen designed this house for a family of an industrialist in Columbus, Indiana. It was completed in 1957. Inarguably, the house has one of the best modern architectural styles of the 1900s. The external facade has steel and glass which is religiously used all around the house. Slate tiles are also used as a score material for the walkways.
Talking about the contemporary modern homes interior, the layout also has an open plan with a flat roof and stone as well as glass walls. This house is considered the Epitome in the modern contemporary style of architecture. The interiors are kept airy and bright with spaces connected in a pinwheel type of layout.
09. Modern Contemporary Home Designs: Eames House by Charles Eames
Nestled around the hillside in Los Angeles, United States, this house was designed by one of the most admired architect couples in the early 1960s. It is a landmark for mid-century modern style homes with the excessive use of steel and glass. A courtyard is adorned in the centre to separate the house and the studio from each other. The interior is airy and bright to allow natural light.
Its charm and appeal represented an attempt to state an idea rather than a fixed architectural pattern. Today, the Eames House is an iconographic structure visited by people from all over the world.
08. Brad and Hallie Lakin’s Modern Contemporary Home by Architect Carlene Nolan Pederson
Built-in 2008, this home in southern Illinois, United States of America, has a five-and-a-half-acre site that tries to bring the outside, inside. With the use of glass and steel to create uninterrupted openings. The home invites a bright and airy atmosphere inside. The neutral tone of the home amidst the naturalistic backdrop of greenery adds a humane touch to this modern contemporary home. Architect Carlene Nolan Pederson created a home for Brad and Hallie Lakin that respects the surroundings around and gives the family a sense of green outdoors. At Lankin’s request, every tree in the surrounding was preserved. The living room consists of a dramatically angled steel and glass wall providing the views of treetops.
07. Stahl House by Pierre Konig
The renowned architect Pierre Konig designed this masterpiece in 1959 and an epitome of the modern style in architecture. They wanted their home to be spacious, airy, and filled with natural light, what better than creating a modern style home?
Materials like glass, steel, stone, and concrete were used to create aesthetic as well as functional spaces in the house. The house is in L-shaped plan wherein the private and public sectors are completely separated. There is a single hallway which connects the two wings. A swimming pool acts as an intermediate space that one must cross to enter the house. The house also showcases a panoramic view of downtown LA. The house is so iconic that even today many television shows, movies, and music videos are filmed there today. It is because it is designed in the Hollywood Hills section of LA, California. Stahl house is an iconic representation of modern architecture.
06. Modern Contemporary Style Home: Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra
Completed in 1947, the Kaufman house was used as a vacation home during the winter season in Palm Springs, California. It uses glass, steel, and natural stones in the backdrop of the colour white to design this mid-century modern contemporary style home. The living and dining rooms are located in the centre while all the other rooms are in different zones. The addition of a swimming pool adds dynamicity to the home due to its reflective nature amidst the white-coloured built-in backdrop. The hilly and mountain-style facade blends with the stones used in the landscape design to create a cohesive experience.
Neutra is known for blending art, functionality, landscape, and comfort in his designs. It is reflective while designing this timeless structure that is still used as a testimonial for the period.
05. Schindler House by Rudolph Schindler
The house was designed in 1922 in West Hollywood, California to host two couples with four rooms and two patios with a shared kitchen and bath. It also had a guest apartment with its kitchen and bath. Just like any mid-century modern style home, it also had functional spaces that had an open layout. It is one of the first modern homes in that era which did not have living room, bedroom or dining room. It was meant to be a cooperative work or living space for two young families. The Schindler house has two interlinking L shaped apartments connected by a utility room.
The architect’s use of tilt-slab concrete construction and the informal studio layout made it exquisitely unique from its contemporaries.
04. Modern Contemporary Home Designs: Gropius House by Walter Gropius
In 1937 in Massachusetts, United States, Gropius designed this house for his family. The house has ribbon windows and white surfaces expressing the Bauhaus aesthetics while keeping it functional as well. It also has strong regional influences.
Gropius kept the vernacular surrounding in mind and also introduced modern, mass-produced, pre-fabricated elements into the design as well. It has an open spatial organization that brings light throughout the house through large windows. The architect imposes modernist aesthetic on local materials by painting the house stark white combining with tinted ribbon windows. In 2000, the Gropius House was designated as a National Historical Landmark for its association with Walter Gropius’s work.
03. Gamble House by Greene and Greene
Built-in 1908 in Pasadena United States, and this structure is a masterpiece due to its well-crafted wooden architecture. The timber construction enhances the minimalism with sleek lines making it an iconic structure. The house designs gains its attention due to its detailed craftsmanship. The house includes European aspect in the design. Its style shows influence from traditional Japanese architecture. Today, the Gamble house is both a museum and a National Historic Landmark.
02. Modern Contemporary Architectural Style: Sheats Goldstein Residence by John Lautner
Built in 1963 in Los Angeles, California, the home has five bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and living space, a guest area, a kitchen along with a tennis court, and a night club. There is no air conditioning in the home as the cross-ventilation fulfils all the needs for the same. The house has open spaces with flexible areas to shift doors and walls.
The Sheats Goldstein Residence is one of the best known works of the architect John Lautner. The house was designed from inside to outside as a concept of home cave that opens outside to embrace the natural view. The house is an example of organic architecture deriving its form from natural environment and the person for whom it was built. This house has even attracted the attention of many Hollywood producers.
01. Erhard Pfeiffer’s Home by Dean Nota
Built-in 2008, this home in Venice, California, has an austere stucco facade with a live workspace that was built for the resident who is a photographer. The house has a modernist take towards the style due to its plain concrete facade, loft-style interior and airy indoors and protecting it from noise of a high-traffic intersection.
The architect explains that the idea was to get the house up in the air to ensure the privacy from the street below. The house has a smart rooftop solar water heating system, visible through the clerestory. The clerestory throughout the space provides light and natural ventilation.
Mid-Century Modern Architecture in the Future
On a final note, this architectural style has managed to inspire the homeowners for a long run now, and no wonder it will do the same in the coming years as well. The core factor being that this architectural style can create bright and airy spaces that are simple yet functional. While being thoroughly functional this style is also aesthetic. This way it helps in epitomizing style while keeping the home useful throughout.
We hope that you loved the iconic works of modern contemporary homes. And if you want to know in detail about modern architecture and contemporary architecture separately, we have following blogs for you:
Modern Architecture: Know its Importance & Characteristics!
Features of Contemporary Architecture | All you Must Know!
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Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.
