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Modern architecture has had a presence throughout most of the twentieth century and is defined by contemporary building techniques. First influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1880s, architects designed modern spaces with open floor plans, absence of ornamentation, and an emphasis on the natural materials and surroundings of the home. Within a few years, the new modernist aesthetic evolved to include more industrial and modern materials, emphasizing the mergence between craft traditions, fine art, and technology. Form and function also became equally important under the new modernist mentality.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Frank Lloyd Wright took modern architecture in a new direction by pioneering the Prairie-style home, which saw an even greater importance given to open space and the flow of the house. The style focused heavily on the natural character of the building materials, while blurring the line between indoor and outdoor through the use of large glass walls and sliding doors, creating extended entertaining and living spaces.
This article was originally printed on windermere.com
