MID-CENTURY MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Mid-century modern (MCM) is an American design movement in interior, product, graphic design, architecture, and urban development that
was popular from roughly 1930s to 1960s during the United States's post–World War II period.
➢ During the mid-twenty century, architects were trying to reach something new, something different.
➢ The MCM design aesthetic is modern in style and construction, aligned with the Modernism movement of the period. It is typically
characterized by clean, simple lines, honest use of materials, and it generally does not include decorative embellishments.
➢ The style that is now recognized by scholars and museums worldwide as a significant design movement.

ARCHITECTURE
➢ Originating in Europe, this style was brought to America by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe,
Tract home in Tujunga, California, featuring
architects who also played key roles in the International and Bauhaus movements. open-beamed ceilings, 1960
➢ Although the American component was slightly more organic in form and less formal than the International Style, it is more firmly related
to it than any other.
➢ Brazilian and Scandinavian architects were very influential at this time, with a style characterized by clean simplicity and integration
with nature. Like many of Wright's designs, Mid-century architecture was frequently employed in residential structures with the goal of
bringing modernism into America's post-war suburbs.
➢ This style emphasized creating structures with ample/large windows and open floor plans, with the intention of opening up interior
spaces and bringing the outdoors in.
➢ Many Mid-century houses utilized then-groundbreaking post and beam architectural design that eliminated bulky support walls in favor
of walls seemingly made of glass. Function was as important as form in Mid-century designs, with an emphasis placed on targeting the
needs of the average American family.

MID-CENTURY MODERN IN PALMS

The city of Palm Springs, California is noted for its many examples of Mid-century modern architecture.
➢ Richard Neutra: Grace Lewis Miller house (1937)Kaufman House (1946); Samuel and Luella Maslon House. Tulip chair (designed 1955–56)
by Eero Saarinen
➢ Paul Williams: Palm Springs Tennis Club (with Jones) (1946)
➢ Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr.: Oasis Hotel (1923)

Eichler Homes – Foster Residence, Granada Hills Miller House, by Richard Neutra Comprehensive Storage Unit by George Nelson
 FEATURES
❖ MINIMALIST AESTHETIC

Artists began working in an abstract style, re-imagining traditional art and pioneering a new aesthetic. Flat planes, clean lines, and
little ornamentation characterize both the exteriors—which often feature monochromatic brickwork and pops of color—and the
matching interiors of Mid-Century modern homes.Flat planes instantly became one of the most popular features in mid-century homes,
making them truly iconic.

❖ LARGE WINDOWS

Sliding-glass doors and other expansive panes of glass allowed light to enter rooms from multiple angles. Natural light was
extremely important in mid-century modern architecture and so the design of the house brought that mix of nature with indoors.

❖ CHANGES IN ELEVATION

Small steps going up and down between rooms creates split-level spaces, even if the rooms’ height differs just a few inches. A mid-
century modern home usually has partial walls, or cabinets of varying heights to create different depths in the space.

❖ EMPHASIS ON THE OUTDOORS/ STRONG CONNECTION TO NATURE

Another key characteristic of the Mid-Century Modern house is a relationship with nature. Architects working in this style often
incorporated large windows and open floor plans into their designs, which provided scenic views and let in lots of light, encouraging
an appreciation of healthy living, mirroring a very northern-European way of living.

❖ ANGULAR STRUCTURES
To showcase their unmistakably modernist approach to everyday architecture, Mid-Century Modern architects employed
geometric forms and asymmetrical compositions in their designs. Unlike structures built in popular preceding styles—including
Beaux-Arts and Arts and Crafts—Mid-Century Modern homes exhibit little historic influence and lack visual formality .
 MID-CENTURY MODERN HOMES BY FAMOUS ARCHITECTS

The Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra in Palm Springs,

California (1947)

Lovell Beach House by Rudolf M

Schneidler

The Berkeley House by John Dinwiddie in Berkeley,

California (1951)

The Dowell Residence by Paul Kirk in Seattle, Washington

(1953)
 INTERIOR DETAILS
➢ Advantage of natural elements in a room from exposed beams to wood panels to untouched brick walls to
bring the outdoors in.

➢ Adds character via abstract prints, patterns, and art that are free of cultural references.
➢ Its overall casual, lounge -ready vibe, keeps it relaxed.
➢ mid-century modern homes tend to be open plan and use alternative room dividers such as central
fireplaces in living rooms. This makes space feel larger and allows light to be bounced around the rooms
unlimited.
COLOUR
➢ As for color schemes, combined white and pale
neutral walls with bold, colorful accents.
➢ The pale walls accentuate bold features to the room,
making them appear more expensive and luxurious.
➢ The accents need to be bright and contrast against the
neutral walls.
➢ Traditionally, the colors mustard yellow, moss green,
and tangerine orange are seen as the main accent
colors to define the mid-century modern décor.

FURNITURE
➢ Wood is the go-to material for furniture to this style.
The best part is that the furniture doesn’t even have to
match exactly with each other.
➢ The furniture must include bold fabrics with graphic
patterns and clean lines.
➢ As an iconic choice for your furniture is the egg chairs
if you have one you are in 60’s mid-century style.
➢ They are also in these days a symbol of chic
sophistication and charm and are now more affordable
to have in your own home.
 ART

➢ One characteristic is to have a piece of art in each room.

Big, bold and expensive statement canvases that are
intended to be the focus of the room.
➢ Using pendant light shades and lamps or creative mirror
frames are timeless features of this style.

LIGHTING

➢ An important detail about the lighting, are always bold and creative.
➢ For this style, the lighting tends to be hanging lights (as opposed to
wall-mounted or contemporary downlighters) with an artistic purpose.
➢ Use of multiple lamps, whether they be floor lamps or table lamps, are
common with this style of décor.

ACCESSORIES

➢ In particular this style focuses more on big expensive pieces of

furniture over smaller, cheaper knick-knacks.
➢ There’s instead minimal simple vintage accessories in particular
places such as the coffee table.
➢ The plants and the biophilia at the space, give more character
and charisma for the ambiance.
 ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLES

Main Terminal at Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia, by Eero Saarinen Palacio da Alvorada, official residence of the President of Brazil, by Oscar Niemeyer

National Congress of Brazil, Oscar Niemeyer MIT Chapel by Eero Saarinen North Christian Church, Columbus, Indiana, US, the final work of Eero
Saarinen

Helsinki, Finland – University of Technology – Auditorium, Sierra Towers in West Hollywood, California, by Jack CSX Transportation Building, Jacksonville, Florida,
by Alvar Aalto. A. Charney by KBJ Architects
 FURNITURE EXAMPLES

Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen Eames Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames A mid-century modern plant stand Grand Prix by Arne Jacobsen

A mid-century modern flair applied to a record player Diamond chair by Harry

Bertoia