Mid-century modern architecture is one of the most popular architectural home styles, and it’s easy to see why.
From its emphasis on functionality to its use of non-traditional materials and more, mid-century modern style has that timeless quality that appeals to many homeowners.
Now, if you want to know more about this architectural style, the best place to start is by knowing the masters who propagated it. Here, we’ll talk about some of the most important mid-century modern architects and their famous works.
1. Walter Gropius
Considered one of the pioneers of modern architecture, Walter Gropius was the founder of the influential Bauhaus School in Germany. To escape persecution by the Nazis, he moved to the United States in 1937, where he was given a teaching post at Harvard University.
He believed that functionality should dictate form. This was exemplified in the house he designed for his family, the Gropius House. His other works include The Graduate Center at Harvard University, Sommerfeld House, and The Fagus Factory.
2. Alvar Aalto
Finnish architect Alvar Aalto was also a furniture designer. He was influenced by the works of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
Like other mid-century architects, Aalto also pursued the “form follow function” school of thought. This didn’t mean though that he was afraid of pushing the boundaries. Most of his buildings feature curved walls, intricate textures, asymmetry, and so on.
Some of his well-known accomplishments include Villa Mairea, Paimio Tuberculosis Sanatorium, and Baker House dorm at MIT.
3. Greta Magnusson-Grossman
Though mid-century modern architecture was a male-dominated movement, some women like Greta Magnusson-Grossman were able to leave their mark.
Already an established interior designer in Sweden, Magnusson-Grossman emigrated to the US in 1940. Together with her husband, she opened a shop in Beverly Hills, which became famous. Her list of clients included Greta Garbo, Gracie Allen, Sherman Bertram, and more.
As an architect, she designed several homes in Los Angeles, most of which are still standing today. These homes were built on “difficult plots” and feature an open and free-flowing floor plan and curtain walls of glass that offered spectacular views.
4. John Lautner
Having worked under the master of American architecture Frank Lloyd Wright, John Lautner did not earn his architectural license until 1952.
He designed a number of homes in Los Angeles including the Sheats-Goldstein Residence, for which he received the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects’ Los Angeles chapter.
Other Atomic Age houses he designed include the Leonard Malin House and Russ Garcia House.
Other Mid-Century Modern Architects You Should Know
There are a lot more names you need to keep in mind when talking about mid-century modern architecture. These include Gerrit Rietveld, Richard Neutra, and Lina Bo Bardi to name a few.
If you’re considering having your home built in this style, it certainly helps to know more about these famous mid-century modern architects. Or if you already have a design in mind, you can have it checked by Architectural Review to see if it fits the mid-century modern aesthetics you prefer.
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Now that you know some mid-century modern architects, why not read more architecture-related articles while you’re here?
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