the idea that form should follow function (functionalism); an embrace of minimalism; and a rejection of ornament. It emerged in the first half of the 20th century and became dominant after World War II until the 1980s, when it was gradually replaced as the principal style for institutional and corporate buildings by postmodern architecture.

Modern architecture, or modernist architecture, was an architectural movement or architectural style based upon new and innovative technologies of construction, particularly the use of glass, and reinforced concrete;

Modern architecture

There are many early sources for modernism’s ideology. The English artist and writer William Morris, helped inspire the Arts and Crafts movement, by advocating that utility was as important as aesthetics, and that well-made handcrafted products were preferable to production line, machine-made ones.

First names

Another early source was the American architect Louis Sullivan, most famous for the phrase ‘Form follows function’. In principle, this meant that buildings should be designed so that the essential structure dictated the form, i.e. from the inside outwards.

The Viennese architect Adolf Loos believed that the decoration of functional objects was inefficient and wasteful. His manifesto, ‘Ornament and Crime’ became a key modernist text, in which he argued that avoiding ornament was ‘a sign of spiritual strength’.

building in San Diego

Two European architects emerged who, above all others, would be most widely associated with the new modernist style. One of these was Walter Gropius, the leader of the Bauhaus in Germany. Gropius taught architects to reject historical orthodoxies and adopt the innovative new ideologies of modern industry.

The other was Le Corbusier, who took inspiration for his buildings and urban designs from modern engineering developments such as passenger jets, cruise liners, automobiles, grain silos, and so on. In his most famous book, ‘Towards a New Architecture’, he argued that ‘a house is a machine for living in’.

The United States attracted many progressive modernists away from Europe during the 1930s, and Modernism became synonymous with the rise of America as the world’s new super-power, with highways, skyscrapers and vast urban landscapes. Modernist architecture continued in various guises around the world, eventually being replaced as the dominant style by Postmodernism in the 1970s and 80s.

Walter Gropius

Le Corbusier

Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan

One of the overarching principles of modernism was that ‘form follows function’, meaning that design should derive directly from purpose. Another was that building form should have a simplicity and clarity, with the elimination of unnecessary detail.

There was also the concept of ‘Truth to materials’, which held that rather than concealing or altering the natural appearance of a material, it ought to be visible and celebrated.

building in Valencia

Form follows function

building in Chile

Components positioned at 90-degrees to each other and an emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines.

The use of reinforced concrete and steel.

Visual expression of the structure rather than hiding structural elements.

Following the ‘machine aesthetic’ in the use of materials produced by industrial processes.

Rectangular, cylindrical and cubic shapes.

Asymmetrical compositions.

A lack of ornament or mouldings.

Large windows set in horizontal bands.

Open plan floors.

White or cream facades.

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Modernist architecture first became popular in North America but would eventually become favored among many important architects around the world, retaining its place of importance into the present day.

American Modernism

building in Sydney

British Modernism

Italian Modernism

Dutch Modernism

Brazilian Modernism

Nordic Modernism

Germanic Modernism

What is contemporary architecture?

Using new technologies

Adopting and experimenting with new building techniques

Testing new building materials

Adapting and improving current and old materials and techniques

Pushing structural boundaries

Testing plan arrangement

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Contemporary architecture is the architecture of today and now. Contemporary architects can work with different styles, from high-tech and postmodernism architecture to expressive and greatly conceptual styles, on an enormous or tiny scale.

While contemporary architecture is of the current time period, modern
architecture inspired by everything that had helped create it, constantly
strives to better itself by for example:

Contemporary designs are meant to astonish and be noticed. For instance, some skyscrapers break shimmer and change color during different times of day.

The difference between modern and contemporary architecture

Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, England by Daniel Libeskind (2002)

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