Guggenheim Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1943

1. Organic Architecture

• Wright emphasized harmony between the building and its environment,

reflecting the principles of organic architecture. The museum's spiraling
form mimics natural shapes and is designed to blend with its urban
setting.

2. Innovative Form

• The museum's iconic spiral ramp allows for a unique circulation

experience, contrasting with traditional museum layouts. This fluid form
encourages visitors to experience art in a continuous flow.

3. Open Interior Space

• The vast, open gallery space is free of columns, allowing for flexible
exhibition arrangements. This openness is aligned with the Modern
Movement's goal of breaking from historical precedents.

4. Use of New Materials

5. Natural Light

6. Integration of Art and Architecture

7. Rejection of Historical Styles

• Wright's design eschews classical forms and ornamentation, aligning with

the Modernist rejection of historical styles in favor of innovative,
functional design.
Bauhaus Campus, Dessau, Germany, Walter Gropius, 1926

1. Functionalism

• The design prioritizes functionality over ornamentation. Each building

serves a specific purpose, reflecting the belief that form should follow
function.

2. Open Floor Plans

• Gropius employed open interior spaces, promoting flexibility in use. This

approach enhances the interaction between different disciplines and
encourages collaborative work.

3. Use of Industrial Materials

• The campus incorporates modern materials such as steel, glass, and

concrete. These materials not only reflect industrial production but also
allow for innovative construction techniques, like large glass facades.

4. Emphasis on Light and Air

• Large windows and open spaces maximize natural light and ventilation,
which were essential to the Modern Movement's focus on creating
healthy living and working environments.

5. Integration of Art and Technology

• The Bauhaus philosophy emphasized the unity of art and technology. The
campus design reflects this by bringing together different artistic
disciplines, including architecture, graphic design, and industrial design.

6. Modular Design and Aesthetics

• The buildings are characterized by a modular approach, with a clear

geometric form that embodies simplicity and clarity. This aligns with the
Modern Movement's pursuit of purity in design.
Kiyonori Kikutake's Sky House, designed in 1958

1. Emphasis on Verticality

• The Sky House features a vertical design that reflects a departure from
traditional horizontal residential layouts. This aligns with modernist ideals
of exploring new forms and structures.

2. Use of Lightweight Materials

• Constructed with lightweight materials, the design showcases modern

construction techniques, emphasizing efficiency and innovation.

3. Open Floor Plan

• The interior layout is open and flexible, allowing for multifunctional

spaces. This reflects the modernist belief in adaptable living
environments that respond to the needs of residents.

4. Integration with Nature

• The design incorporates large windows and balconies that connect the
interior with the surrounding environment

6. Experimental Form

• The Sky House’s unique, sculptural form challenges conventional

architectural norms, reflecting the Modern Movement's embrace of
experimentation and innovation.

7. Focus on Urban Living

• Designed for a dense urban context, it addresses the challenges of city

living, promoting vertical living as a solution to land scarcity.

8. Concept of "Living in the Sky"

• The idea of a house elevated above the ground symbolizes a modern

lifestyle that separates living spaces from the ground, promoting a new
way of experiencing urban life.
Hunstanton School, Alison & Peter Smithson, Norwich, Norfolk, England, 1949-
1954

1. Functionalism

• The design emphasizes functionality, with a layout that supports the

educational needs of students.

2. Use of Industrial Materials

• The school prominently features concrete, steel, and glass, showcasing a

modernist preference for industrial materials that are both durable and
economical.

3. Open Floor Plan

• The interior layout promotes an open and flexible environment, allowing

for adaptability in learning and teaching methods, which aligns with
modernist educational philosophies.

4. Integration with the Environment

• Large windows and a flat roof create a strong connection between the
interior and the surrounding landscape, a hallmark of modernist design
that enhances natural light and views.

5. Modular Design

• The structure employs modular elements in its design, reflecting the

Modern Movement's interest in standardization and efficiency in
construction.

7. Expressive Structural Elements

• The exposed structure and services, such as beams and ventilation

systems, are celebrated rather than concealed, highlighting the honesty
of materials and construction methods.

• philosophy.
Hotel Tassel, Victor Horta. 1892-1893

1. Use of New Materials

• Horta utilized iron and glass extensively, showcasing an innovative

approach to construction that foreshadowed the modernist embrace of
industrial materials.

2. Organic Forms and Curvilinear Design

• The flowing, organic shapes in the architecture and decorative elements

reflect a departure from rigid, classical forms, aligning with the modernist
interest in abstraction and new aesthetics.

5. Emphasis on Functionality

• The design prioritizes the functionality of spaces, with an emphasis on

comfort and practicality that anticipates modernist ideals.

6. Art Nouveau Influence

• While Horta is associated with Art Nouveau, his work at Hotel Tassel
incorporates decorative arts in a way that enhances the overall
architectural experience, blurring the lines between art and
architecture—an idea that resonates with modernist philosophies.

7. Innovative Use of Light

• Skylights and strategically placed windows maximize natural light,

creating a bright and airy atmosphere that is central to modernist design.

8. Attention to Detail and Craftsmanship

• Although modernism often favors minimalism, Horta's intricate details

and craftsmanship reflect a belief in the importance of quality materials
and design, which influenced later modernist architects.
Le corbusier, Unite d, habitation, Marseille, 1947-1952

1. Brutalism and Raw Materials

The building showcases a raw concrete structure, characteristic of Brutalism,

which emphasizes the inherent qualities of materials, reflecting a modernist
preference for honesty in construction.

2. Modular Design

Le Corbusier employed a modular approach, using the "Modulor" system to

create proportions that are human-scaled, integrating functionality and
aesthetics.

3. Open Floor Plan

The layout features open, flexible spaces that encourage adaptability, aligning
with modernist ideals of multifunctionality in living environments.

5. Pilotis (Supports)

The building is elevated on pilotis, freeing the ground floor for communal use and
enhancing airflow and light, a concept central to modernist architecture.

6. Facades and Windows

The use of long horizontal windows maximizes natural light while providing
panoramic views, a hallmark of modernist design that enhances the living
experience.

7. Community Focus

The Unité is designed as a vertical village, with amenities such as shops and
communal spaces, reflecting Le Corbusier’s vision of community living and
social interaction.
Le Corbusier, Villa Savoye, 1928-1931

1. Pilotis (Supports)

The villa is elevated on slender columns (pilotis), which raise the structure above
the ground, allowing for free circulation underneath and promoting a sense of
openness.

2. Flat Roof

The flat roof serves as a functional terrace, integrating outdoor space with the
living area and reflecting modernist ideals of utilizing all available space.

3. Open Floor Plan

The interior features an open layout that allows for flexible use of space,
encouraging a fluid and adaptable living environment, a central tenet of
modernist design.

4. Horizontal Windows

Long horizontal windows provide ample natural light and panoramic views of the
surrounding landscape, emphasizing the connection between the interior and
exterior.

5. Free Facade Design

The facade is not constrained by structural requirements, allowing for a design

that emphasizes aesthetic and functional considerations, a hallmark of
modernism.

6. Functional Aesthetics

Villa Savoye exemplifies the principle of "form follows function," with its clean
lines and minimalist design reflecting a commitment to both practicality and
beauty.

8. Use of New Materials

The villa employs reinforced concrete, glass, and steel, showcasing innovative
construction techniques and materials that were central to the Modern
Movement.
Mies van der Rohe, Farnsworth House, 1945-1951

1. Minimalist Aesthetic

The design emphasizes simplicity and clarity, with clean lines and an absence of
ornamentation, reflecting the modernist principle of "less is more."

2. Open Floor Plan

The interior features an open layout that encourages flexibility and fluidity,
allowing for multifunctional spaces that respond to the needs of the occupants.

3. Use of Glass and Steel

The house is predominantly constructed of glass and steel, showcasing modern

materials that enhance transparency and connectivity with the surrounding
environment.

5. Pilotis (Supports)

The use of slender columns (pilotis) elevates the house, allowing for airflow and
vegetation beneath, which contributes to the seamless integration of
architecture and nature.

6. Horizontal and Vertical Lines

The design features a composition of horizontal and vertical lines that create a
sense of balance and harmony, characteristic of Mies's architectural style.

7. Transparency and Light

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls maximize natural light and blur the boundaries
between inside and outside, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness and
openness.

8. Functional Design

Every element of the house serves a purpose, reflecting the modernist belief that
form should follow function, resulting in a highly efficient living space.
Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona Pavilion, 1929

1. Minimalist Design

• The pavilion embodies the principle of "less is more," with a streamlined

form and an absence of decorative elements, emphasizing simplicity and
clarity.

2. Open Plan

• The layout features an open and fluid space that encourages movement
and interaction, reflecting modernist ideals of flexibility and
multifunctionality.

3. Use of Modern Materials

• Mies employed innovative materials such as steel, glass, and different

types of stone, showcasing the aesthetic and structural possibilities of
modern construction.

4. Free-Standing Columns

• The structure is supported by free-standing columns, allowing for open

spaces without load-bearing walls, which enhances the sense of
openness and freedom within the design.

5. Fluidity Between Interior and Exterior

• Large glass walls and sliding doors create a seamless connection

between the interior and the surrounding landscape, blurring the
boundaries between inside and outside.

6. Geometric Clarity

• The design features a strong geometric composition, with a grid-like

structure that conveys order and harmony, essential elements of
modernist aesthetics.
Adolf Loos, Muller House, 1930

1. Functionalism

• The design emphasizes functionality, with a layout that caters to the

needs of the inhabitants, reflecting the modernist belief that architecture
should serve its purpose effectively.

2. Minimal Ornamentation

• Loos famously advocated for the idea of "ornament is a crime." The Müller
House features a restrained aesthetic with minimal decorative elements,
aligning with modernist principles of simplicity.

3. Open Floor Plan

• The interior layout promotes an open and flexible space, allowing for
adaptable living areas that can accommodate various activities, a
hallmark of modernist design.

5. Use of Modern Materials

• Loos employed modern materials such as concrete, glass, and steel,

showcasing innovative construction techniques that were central to the
Modern Movement.

6. Horizontal and Vertical Lines

• The design features a strong geometric composition with clear horizontal

and vertical lines, contributing to a sense of order and clarity,
characteristic of modernist aesthetics.

7. Emphasis on Spatial Experience

• The layout and design create distinct spatial experiences within the
house, reflecting Loos's belief in the importance of interior space and
human experience in architecture.
Plug-in City, Warren Chalk, Peter Cook, Dennis Crompton, Archigram, 1965

1. Modular Design

• The concept emphasizes a modular approach, allowing for flexible and

adaptable living spaces that can be easily modified or expanded, aligning
with modernist ideals of functionality and change.

2. Technological Integration

• Plug-in City incorporates advanced technology and infrastructure,

showcasing a belief in modernism's potential

3. Urban Mobility

• The design promotes mobility within the urban environment, suggesting a

dynamic city where components can be reconfigured, reflecting
modernist interests in movement and accessibility.

4. Focus on Services and Infrastructure

• The project emphasizes the importance of infrastructure—such as

transportation and utilities—as integral to urban planning, showcasing a
modernist belief in the role of technology in shaping society.

6. Visionary Aesthetics

• The design features futuristic aesthetics, with bold forms and a striking
visual language that challenges traditional architectural norms,
embodying the modernist spirit of innovation.

7. Flexibility and Adaptation

• The concept supports the idea of a city that evolves over time, allowing for
changes in population and lifestyle, which resonates with modernist
principles of adaptability.

8. Rejection of Traditional Urban Forms

• Plug-in City critiques conventional urban layouts and promotes a radical

rethinking of city design, aligning with the modernist pursuit of new
solutions to contemporary problems.
Row House in Sumiyoshi 住吉的長屋 (1976) Tadao Ando 安藤忠雄

1. Minimalist Aesthetic

• The design emphasizes simplicity and functionality, with clean lines and a
lack of ornamentation, aligning with the modernist principle of "less is
more."

2. Use of Concrete

• Ando’s signature use of exposed concrete showcases modern materials,

emphasizing texture and form while also reflecting a commitment to
structural honesty.

3. Open Floor Plan

• The interior layout promotes flexibility and adaptability, allowing for

multifunctional spaces that respond to the needs of the residents, a
hallmark of modernist design.

5. Spatial Experience

• The design creates distinct spatial experiences through varying ceiling

heights and the interplay of light and shadow, reflecting a modernist
interest in the human experience of space.

6. Contextual Sensitivity

• The Row House is designed to fit harmoniously within its urban context,
responding to the local environment and community, which reflects
modernist principles of integrating architecture into its surroundings.

7. Functional Design

• Every aspect of the design serves a purpose, showcasing a modernist

belief that form should follow function, resulting in a highly efficient living
space.
 Nakagin Capsule Tower, Kisho Kurokawa, 1972

1. Modular Design

• The tower consists of prefabricated capsules that can be individually

replaced or reconfigured, reflecting modernist ideals of flexibility and
adaptability in urban living.

2. Functionalism

• Each capsule is designed for specific functions, such as living or working

spaces, emphasizing practicality and a focus on user needs, core tenets
of modernist architecture.

3. Use of Industrial Materials

• The construction utilizes steel and concrete, showcasing a commitment

to modern materials that enhance structural integrity and efficiency,
which are hallmarks of the Modern Movement.

4. Innovation in Urban Living

• The design addresses the challenges of urbanization by proposing a

solution for compact living, embracing modernist ideas about the role of
architecture in improving urban life.

6. Verticality

• The tower's vertical design maximizes limited urban space, reflecting

modernist principles of urban density and efficient land use.

7. Aesthetic Expression

• The capsule units’ bold, futuristic aesthetic challenges traditional

architectural forms and expresses a vision of a dynamic, evolving urban
environment, in line with modernist experimentation.

8. Community and Connectivity

• The design encourages a sense of community among residents, with

shared facilities and communal spaces, reflecting modernist ideals of
social interaction within urban settings.
Alvar Aalto, Piamio Sanatorium, 1929-1932

1. Functionalism

• The design prioritizes functionality, with spaces carefully arranged to

support the health and well-being of patients. This reflects the modernist
belief that architecture should serve specific human needs.

2. Integration with Nature

• Large windows and balconies create a strong connection between the

interior and the surrounding landscape, promoting healing through
nature, a key consideration in modernist design.

3. Open Floor Plan

• The interior features open and flexible layouts that allow for various uses,
encouraging adaptability and interaction among patients and staff.

4. Use of Modern Materials

• Aalto employed materials such as reinforced concrete, glass, and natural

wood, showcasing modern construction techniques while also
emphasizing warmth and comfort.

5. Human-Centered Design

• The design considers human scale and comfort, with rounded corners
and soft lines that create a welcoming atmosphere, aligning with
modernist ideals of user experience.

6. Innovative Use of Light

• The strategic placement of windows maximizes natural light throughout

the building, enhancing the mood and well-being of occupants, which is
essential in modernist philosophy.

8. Community and Social Interaction

• The layout encourages social interaction among patients, promoting a

sense of community, which aligns with modernist concerns for the social
aspects of living spaces.
Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1939

1. Integration with Nature

• The design seamlessly integrates the structure with its natural

surroundings, built over a waterfall and incorporating local materials.

2. Cantilevered Structure

• The use of cantilevered concrete terraces creates dramatic overhangs

that extend into the landscape, showcasing innovative engineering and a
departure from traditional building forms.

3. Open Floor Plan

• The interior features an open layout that encourages fluid movement

between spaces, promoting a sense of openness and connectivity, which
is a hallmark of modernist design.

4. Use of Natural Materials

• Wright employed stone, wood, and glass, emphasizing organic materials

that enhance the connection to nature while maintaining a modern
aesthetic.

5. Horizontal Lines

• The design emphasizes horizontal lines, echoing the natural landscape

and creating a sense of unity with the setting, which is characteristic of
Wright's organic architecture.

6. Innovative Use of Light

• Large windows and skylights maximize natural light, providing expansive

views of the surrounding forest and waterfall, enhancing the experience of
space and nature.

7. Human-Centered Design

• The layout considers human scale and comfort, with intimate spaces that
foster connection and interaction among occupants, reflecting modernist
ideals of user experience.