Architecture 101 - Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Architecture
Maybe it’s just the algorithms on my Instagram and Pinterest accounts, but over the past year or two, I’ve noticed a lot more ‘Mid-Century Modern’ inspired interiors, exteriors, and furniture populating my feeds.
At first, I assumed that the mid-century style was having a moment, but after digging a bit deeper I’ve realized that the principles and ideals of this American classic never became irrelevant and in many ways, continue to influence many of todays top architects and designers.
So what exactly is ‘mid-century’ design? And what elements contribute to the stylish yet laid back homes that captured the hearts of so many after the second world war?
History of Mid-Century Modern Architecture
Mid-century style architecture started to surface in the US during WWII, as the European architects fleeing Nazi Germany began settling across the country. Some of the original architects, specifically Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, were German devotees of the Bauhaus school of modern design, and upon arriving in the US, began teaching at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Harvard Graduate School of Design. Their work, alongside other luminaries like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Alvar Aalto, pioneered the mid-century style as we know it today.
Mid-century style architecture and design was characterized by clean lines and a lack of ornamentation. More importantly, mid-century homes were truly unique in their ‘form follows function’ ideals, and as such, more emphasis was placed on the functionality of the interior space as opposed to the ornateness of the exterior. In addition, these homes embraced their natural surroundings and were often thoughtfully designed around a private outdoor space.
After the war, there was a surge in housing demands across the US as soldiers returned home to their wives and families. Along with their return came a major shift in the North American mindset as many people became very focused on lifestyle, family time, spending time outdoors. Mid-century style architecture was a perfect representation of these renewed values and as a result, it boomed in popularity across the country.
Back when the style originated, mid-century architecture could be broken up into three distinct styles; International, Contemporary, and Organic:
1. International: Inspired by the architects who fled Europe during the war, this version of mid-century architecture was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement. International homes were extremely simple, with little to no decoration, and were typically finished with stucco.
2. Contemporary: This was the most popular form of mid-century architecture, and is likely what comes to mind when you picture a typical mid-century home. Some of the common elements include clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and natural materials, such as wood, stone, and brick. Due to the ‘form follows function’ approach, asymmetrical exteriors are also typical, with windows extending to a low-pitched roofline supported by timber beams.
3. Organic: Similar to Prairie-style architecture, organic-style mid-century homes were designed to blend into their natural surroundings. Rather than incorporating sharp lines and right angles, these homes embraced more natural and organic shapes. Interestingly enough, organic mid-century modern homes were so heavily influenced by their surrounding landscapes that a home in a forest would look completely different from one in the desert.
Common Characteristics of Mid-Century Architecture
A typical mid-century home would incorporate many of the elements listed below:
A low-pitched gabled roof with wide overhangs. Rooflines were often supported by timber beams that appeared to run through the entire home. Flat roofs were also sometimes incorporated.
Oversized windows or window walls were installed along patios and backyard spaces, whereas the street facing façade may feature a unique combination of rake, clearstory, and oversized windows.
Homes were often asymmetrical not only in shape, but in how the exterior detailing was applied. Because of that, exteriors often featured broad expanses of uninterrupted wall space.
Entrances tended to be downplayed, with the entry door deeply recessed or not visible at all. Screening fences, commonly constructed of decorative concrete blocks, offered additional privacy at the front entry.
Common exterior cladding materials included brick, oversized asymmetrical stone, and vertically orientated siding. A Japanese influence was also present in wood construction through the use of exposed timbers and a panelized appearance.
A Few Examples of Mid-Century Homes
This home is a near perfect example of what you’d expect of the typical mid-century modern home. All the key elements have been incorporated; a low-pitched gable roof supported by timer beams that run through the entire home, an asymmetrical façade, a recessed entry, and window walls that follow the shape roof line. Privacy walls defining the outdoor spaces have been incorporated throughout the property, and natural materials such as wood and stone have been used on both the exterior and the interior of the home.
This is another great example of a mid-century modern home. True to the style, the entire home appears to have been planned ‘from the inside out’ with a clear focus on the stunning backyard. Note how many of the living spaces flank the perimeter of the backyard, with the line between the outdoors and the indoors being blurred through the incorporation of covered patios and operable window walls.
During the initial boom of mid-century homes, it became common practice to build these homes into a hillside which made them adaptable to a challenging site but still easily accessible for automobiles. In this example you can see just that, with the garage being partially underground and the main level being significantly higher then the street. As a result, the typical privacy screen is not needed here and instead, heavy landscaping is more then sufficient in shielding the right side of the home from public view.
Finally, I absolutely love this example of an organic-styled mid-century home. Rather then incorporating the sharp, straight lines that are present in the two previous examples, this home features a curved roofline and intentionally placed openings in the roof, further integrating the natural surroundings into the home.
Similar to the previous examples, this home was clearly designed around the outdoor spaces. A natural, clear coated wood paneling has been utilized throughout the entire site while window walls have been incorporated where ever possible throughout the main living areas.
Want to learn more about residential architecture? Check out the rest of the series:
BY EMILY RADKIE
