Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Mid-century modern architecture, together with inspiring and enjoyable mid-century houses, is our focus.

We write about mid-century and contemporary architecture that represents modernist values as we believe that good architecture must be accessible to everyone and speak to people: like the projects we collect here.

In this section we feature a curation of the best works in 20th century’s modern mid-century architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies Van Der Rohe, Philip Johnson, Richard Neutra or Arne Jacobsen are only few of the architects you will find.

Mid Century Architecture: The Jones Residence

When the architect had to design this house in a wooden area -his own home- he chose for a particular rigours style.
Like most of the mid century modern houses, also this one was designed to make blurry the limit between inside and outside. The rectangular and single-level architecture together with the floor to ceiling windows used as external walls, provide views of the wood from most of the rooms.

An Art Installation You Can not Miss at the VDL Research House

A couple of days ago I received an email with the invitation to attend the opening of a really cool installation of the worldwide famous artist Xavier Veilhan at the Richard Neutra VDL Research House in L.A.
As you might know, I do not live in California and so I can not attend this event, but I wanted to make a post about it anyway as I think it deserves your visit if you live close to L.A.

I Want Neutra! A Mid Century Architecture Love Story.

The photos in this article come from my favorite architecture and design magazine -Case Da Abitare. It was taken in one of the houses built by Richard Neutra in the so-called “Neutra Colony”- a group of mid-century homes built at Silver Lake (L.A.) in 1959.
The new owner of this piece of Neutra mid-century architecture is Eli Bonerz; buying this house was a promise he had made to himself.

The Beverly Hills Hotel Photographed by Julius Shulman.

I recently spotted some amazing pics -once again by Julius Shulman- of the Beverly Hills Hotel and, considering that this year is its 100th birthday…
From the Hotel website:
“The hotel was built in 1912, before there was even a city called Beverly Hills. Hoping to ignite a land rush, developer Burton Green, President of the Rodeo Land and Water Company, bought land once owned by the Mexican government in the foothills of the

Four Amazing Pins About Mies van Der Rohe.

How could I love mid-century modern without loving an architect as Mies van Der Rohe? His architecture and design influenced the whole twentieth century, the Neutra Kaufmann House is just an example.
today I want to share some nice pics I spotted on Pinterest about him, follow the buttons below the pics to see more.

The First Alvar Aalto House and Studio

Looking for better job opportunities, Alvar Aalto and his family moved from the small town of Turku to Helsinki in 1933. Besides job opportunities, Aalto also was also looking for the perfect location where he could build his future home. After living in two different apartments in Helsinki, the Aaltos bought a piece of land just outside the city.

The Alvar Aalto Villa Skeppet (Villa Schildt).

The increasing industrialization of north European countries such as Finland during the sixties caused the decline of the small scale agriculture and a depopulation of rural areas while urban communities grew exponentially.
Finland’s improving welfare structure and a better standard of living pushed the request for new houses and in turn created a boom in the construction industry.

Richard Neutra

Richard Neutra was born in Vienna in 1892 and attended the Technische Hochschule (Vienna University of Technology) from 1911 to 1917.His career crossed five decades and he can certainly be defined as one of the most important architects of the mid-century as of the whole twentieth century.

better-homes-magazine

How The Mid Century Aesthetic Influenced Steve Jobs.

Sounds like a weird title, isn’t it? But it’s true…the mid century architecture somehow influenced Steve Jobs and his choices in business.
I don’t have to tell you who Steve Jobs was, what I probably have to tell you is that he influenced and inspired many of my personal decisions in the last ten years at least and that I was really touched when he died.

The Richard Neutra Kronish House Is Safe!

I couldn’t start my day and weekend in a better way.
As you probably remember, some time ago I wrote a post about the possible demolition of the iconic Richard Neutra Kronish House in Beverly Hills; check the post for the Richard Neutra masterpiece history.
The Richard Neutra Kronish House Demolition Plan.

Mid Century Houses And The Importance of Lighting – Part 2

Many of the most famous mid century lamps were, at first designed and manufactured in Sweden, Denmark or Finland where they were have been manufactured and sold over the years.
Artificial light was fundamental in the Scandinavian interiors due to the long Nordic winters. It became so important throughout the mid century modern period that it became the main concern of the architects when they had to design a room.

The Finn Juhl House Tour

I already wrote How FInn Juhl Influenced the Mid Century Modern Design, but yesterday I found out that exists a very well preserved Finn Juhl’s house in Denmark; the one where he lived until his death.
The house is located close to the Ordrupgaard (I’ve no clue of how to pronunce it 😉 ) museum park in Denmark.

The Greatest Inspiration For Your Mid Century Modern House, the Aalto’s House-Office

Who Alvar Aalto was?

As many of you already know, Alvar Aalto has been one of the most important Finnish architect and designer of the XX century.
Aalto has been considered the father of the Modernism in Nord Europe.
As Finnish, he was tightly linked with the local tradition and history, as we can see in all his works, using natural materials, warm colours, and undulating lines.