What Are Modern Houses Made Of: Famous Modern Architects 

Steel. Concrete. Simple lines. Functional elements.

These are terms to describe modern architecture. It’s a design style commonly found during the turn of the 20th century, right through until World War II. After the war, communities were devastated, and the complexity of rebuilding at a time when finances were already tight created the need for far more impactful designs and styles.

The fact is, money couldn’t be spent on embellishments of glitter and gold. It needed to be purposeful.  

There's quite a bit to learn from modern houses and modern architects. Let’s go on a tour of what this type of architecture really means. The best way to do that? Check out some of the fantastic treasures around the world that are examples of what modern architecture did to transform a generation. 

It took literal rubble and turned it into stunning homes and community spaces, which is quite interesting and even extraordinary.

If you are one of the many architects facing pressures to create big, bold, sustainable spaces on limited budgets with profound effects, think simple. Use these examples to help you.

What Is Modern Architecture Really?

Modern architecture refers to structures that have the Modernism cultural and aesthetic outlook. This style, often expressed not just in buildings but also in literature and art, was all about taking big risks, moving away from what was considered expected or conventional wisdom to create a more expression-filled space. 

World War I is the starting point of this era. It was after this period that architects worked to build spaces that were purposeful and functionally smart. All of those detailed columns and intricate designs on wood were erased. New structures were built without having unnecessary embellishments. 

Unsure of the difference. Think about the Queen Anne Victorian era. You know that over-the-top architecture was anything but simple. Flowering and flowing are better descriptions. 

Before that, you have the Gothic Revival styles, which were also very creative and built on intricate details. Gothic is impressive. But definitely different and edgy. 

You'll find some outstanding examples of cultural architecture from this period throughout the world. What you will find is a very specific set of characteristics:

• Large, all-glass windows without as many embellished details

• Abstract shapes and lines that are clean, smooth, and simple 

• Open floor plans that maximize the use of the space

• Some level of connectivity with the environment 

There is a certain revival of this occurring today. Contemporary architecture examples aside, there are many projects that are focusing heavily on creating spaces that are practical, beautiful in their simplicity, and exceptionally commanding attention.

Check Out These Famous Modern Architects and Modern Famous Buildings

A modern architectural exploration must focus on these examples. They are simply strikingly “cool” in their look.

Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier in Paris, France

Quite the stunning home from a visual standpoint, it includes all of the modern architectural features we know and love from this period. 

The home has concrete columns, a roof garden (which was quite unique for the time) and horizontal windows. Elevated off the ground with those reinforced concrete columns, today, it looks as if it was built to handle high tide. It’s not on the water though. It’s in Paris. That height still makes a statement. 

Inside is an open floor plan. Rows and rows of windows stretch from one corn of the building to the next. It’s used as a museum today, and has to rebuilt due to the poor construction trades at the time. It has a few design mistakes (it was, after all, leading the way in architectural design for that time period). 

You can tour it, and it's worth doing so to see the crispness of modern architecture. It’s beautiful in a very different way.

Fallingwater House, Mill Run, Pennsylvania, USA

Photo by Kirk Thornton

Designed by one of the most famous modern architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater House is very much what its name describes. It sits on a living, breathing waterfall. That waterfall cascades below the clean lines of a modern architecturally designed building above.

The home, which was designed with some Japanese architectural influence, is noted for its use of cantilevers, as well as its ability to seamlessly blend in with the natural landscape. It looks as though you could have stumbled upon a secret space in the woods.

Though the structure had some challenges over time, and the cantilevered terraces began to suffer serious failure, requiring reinforcement, the home today is exceptionally well done and pays homage to the clean lines of modern architecture. 

It's an easy example of a building built to fit into nature. Or was nature built around this building?

Villa Dirickz, Brussels, Belgium

Designed by Marcel Leborgne, Villa Dirickz created this structure in 1933 as the drastic opposite of what could be found in the previous century’s styles. 

Blocky, pristine with white exterior concrete, and surrounded by greenery, it holds true to the modern architectural feel of the time. The property is quite large and impressively built to provide ample features. 

The interior is definitely surprising. It’s built as if a modern upscale urbanite could live in it today. That’s thanks to the wine cellar and built-in cinema. 

There are a few key factors that make this one of the best examples of modern family buildings. In 2007, it was transformed into a villa. Throughout are ornate touches of beauty from the glasswork on each of the buildings, the terrace, and the rooftop access to the industrial-like feel.

The Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA

Photo by Clay LeConey

A different take on the blocky structure of many modern homes, the Guggenheim Museum is the exact opposite. It’s still a viable example of the times. 

Designed in 1959 by Frank Lloyd Wright, it maintains the modern architectural influences so prevalent in this time period, just in a more unique manner. You see the exterior's rounded shape, layered one on top of the other in a spiral form, which is quite alluring and simple. 

Inside, the spiral feel is quite exceptional. All of those shapes – like the spiral rooms – help embody the spirit of modern architecture, with a twist – literally! It’s organic, soothing, and fabulous at the same time.

Isokon Building, London, UK

Though it may not jump out as the most obvious example of modern famous buildings, the Isokon Building in London is a perfect example.

It’s an apartment building, home to 32 units, most of which are quite small and simplistic. There are garage spaces and staff rooms. Each of the homes, called flats, has a small kitchen, though a larger shared kitchen was available for residents to use. Nothing surprising there, right?

What makes this building quite impressive is the clean lines. The stark white concrete exterior with long rows of units, much like a hotel today, allows for a very deliberate modern feel. Without many embellishments on the exterior and a simplistic interior with open floor plans, this property is quite functionally beneficial. 

It also has communal spaces. These smaller homes have shared, bigger kitchens and living spaces. While that may not work well today, it was very different for the time period as well. 

It’s now a Grade 1 building noted as a historical landmark. But still, it’s easy to pass on the road.

David S. Ingalls Skating Rink, New Haven, Connecticut

A very different example of modern architecture is the David S. Ingalls Skating Rink. 

Yes, it's a skating rink, and its design showcases that. It has an architectural curve to it. Gone are the embellishments to the exterior of the building, which are now smooth concrete walls. This property has catenary arches, too. At the height it reaches 90 meters high, all made of reinforced concrete. It's impressive, especially when you consider the limitations of building during that period. 

Other features help to create the modern feel of this space, including the entire front of the building, which is made of glass windows and doors. It was designed by Eero Saarinen, who was known for its impressive catenary arches. The building, which is often called "The Yale Whale" is a testament to the designer's education. He is a graduate of Yale University.

Neue National Galerie, Berlin, Germany 

Another famous modern architect is Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, who is noted for the design of the Neue National Galerie. 

When you see this structure, it’s pretty basic looking. Get closer. You’ll see what’s different as you do.

It’s a working museum that hosts art collections, but the building itself is, in its own right, quite the piece of artwork.

All sides of the building are made of glass, with very little other material to support its design. This is a hallmark of the modern design, but this building goes further with a cantilevered roof and flat exterior. Simple in its geometric shape, this property is clean, modern, and stunning.

Stepping away from the structure, you’ll notice the landscape is sculptured with concrete elements, all with simplistic shapes and clean faces throughout the area. These, too, were created by the architect.

These famous modern architects provide a stunning view of a very different world from the period just before. Contemporary architectural examples like these and others showcase the importance of design from a practical perspective but also incorporate designs that are aesthetically pleasing. 

Take the time to explore these modern, famous buildings. You will quickly see how their design is not only beautiful but also impressive for the detail and unique elements of the timeframe itself.