The most iconic buildings of modern architecture

A new breed of buildings emerged as icons of the modernist movement of the 1900s when architects used innovative technologies in construction in order to create stunning structures.

The Farnsworth House

Designed by architect Mies Van De Rohe, the Farnsworth house is among the most widely recognized structures of the International Style of modern architecture. It was designed exclusively for Dr. Edith Farnsworth in the late 1940s. Built almost in steel and glass, this house emphasizes the modernist tenets of lightness, transparency, and structural expression. This only one-bedroom retreat stands out for its open-plan layout as well as its closeness to nature.

The Glass House

The Glass House by Philip Johnson was another iconic work of the International Style of modern architecture. This house located in a green suburb of Illinois, emphasizing the isolation of the individual from urban society. The work of Philip Johnson stands out for its minimalist structure, and elements of proportion, geometry, and transparency.

Seagram Building

The Seagram Building by Mies Van De Rohe epitomizes the tenets of modernism with its elegant steel and glass framework. This building’s design projects the utilitarian narrative of conventional skyscraper construction. The Seagram Building was also the first-of-its-kind to be complemented by a plaza, revolutionizing the importance of public spaces in urban cities.

Villa Savoye

Villa Savoye, designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, is a modernist response to the 1900s’ industrial machine age. The Villa Savoye is located in Poissy, a small town in France outside the city of Paris. This stunning structure is an adaptation of the principles of mechanized design. This home is a simulation of spatial efficiency and minimalist aesthetics.

Eames House

Designed by Charles and Ray Eames with the help of architect Eero Saarinen, Eames House is a modern marvel from the 1940s. It became known as Case Study House number 8 under the 1945 Case Study House Program of Arts and Architecture Magazine. This house stands out for its incredible glass and steel framework showcasing semblances of color.