Mid-century modern style is currently enjoying a renaissance. It stirs our collective nostalgia, hearkening back to the comfort and prosperity of post-war America. The hit TV show Mad Men brought MCM’s elegant principles of style and architecture to the forefront, and it has been trending in design media ever since. MCM has a strong Scandinavian influence, borrows from the Japanese tradition of harmonizing nature and home design, and melds form with function. The height of MCM architecture occurred during the 1940’s through the early 1960’s, often referred to as America’s Golden Age of home design. Key elements of mid century modern homes include simplicity, flat planes, geometric lines, and huge windows.
1. Stahl House
You’ve probably seen the Stahl House in one of its many pop culture appearance. It gained national attention thanks to its appearance in Julius Shulman’s iconic 1960 photograph of two women drinking cocktails. It has appeared in several movies, including Corrina, Corrina and Nurse Betty, as well as television shows and music videos. It even has a cameo in the video game Grand Theft Auto. Its glass walls, a hallmark of MCM design, maximize the sweeping view of Los Angeles offered by its perch high in the Hollywood Hills. Designed by architect Pierre Koenig and built in 1960, it was one of a series of “Case Study” houses, experimental model homes built in the late 40’s through early 60’s.
2. Kaufmann House
Located in Palm Springs, California, a hotbed of MCM architecture, the Kaufman House was designed by Richard Neutra. This oasis in the desert was built in 1946 for the wealthy Edgar J. Kaufmann, who also commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build Fallingwater as a mountain getaway. The home features stacked stone walls, flat roofs, and large expanses of glass, all typical of MCM design. Barry Manilow is among its celebrity cadre of former owners. It was up for auction by Christie’s several years ago and sold at a $15 million bid, but the deal fell through and the home is still titled to one of the previous owners, investment manager Brent Harris.
3. Fallingwater
No list of MCM homes would be complete without mentioning the most iconic example, Fallingwater. Located in the mountains of Pennsylvania, it is perhaps the best example of MCM’s dedication to integrating design with its natural surroundings. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, arguably America’s most famous architect, and construction was completed in 1937, though it would be subjected to numerous improvement projects until 1941. Its name derives from the Bear Run waterfall that appears to flow from beneath it. Its daring, cantilevered balconies appear to defy gravity and give it its striking shape. It was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1938. Fallingwater is now open to the public as a tourist attraction.
4. Eames House
Also referred to as “Case Study House #8,” the Eames House is a study in rectangles. It was built by husband-and-wife design team Charles and Ray Eames, who are perhaps best known today for the chairs that bear their name. The pair themselves lived in the home for most of their lives, and from its studio they designed furniture that would go on to become American classics. The house, located in Pacific Pallisades, Los Angeles, is partially owned by the Eames’s grandchildren and still serves as the headquarters of the Eames Office.
5. Farnsworth House
The little glass box known as Farnsworth House is the epitome of minimalistic living. The 1,400 square-foot abode with a floating terrace was completed in 1951. Located in Plano, Illinois, just south of Chicago, the home is made of steel and glass, the design of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. It was a statement piece, as the architect declared that when viewing nature from inside the house, “it becomes part of a larger whole.” Its major drawback soon became apparent, though: the home is notoriously hard to heat and cool. In addition, it was built on a floodplain. Despite being elevated on five-foot pilings, it has suffered significant flood damage through the years. Today, it is open for tours as a museum operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
6. Eduardo Catalano House
This Raleigh, North Carolina residence was most notable for its swooping, wing-like roofs – the shape is known as a hyperbolic paraboloid. Frank Lloyd Wright, who was notorious for being stingy with his praise, lauded the design. The 1,700 square-foot living space was encased in glass. The house changed hands several times between 1957 and 1978. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair in the late 1990’s. Left vacant, it soon deteriorated beyond repair and was obliterated when purchased by property developers in 2001.
7. Hooper House II
Built in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1959, the Hooper House II was designed by Marcel Breuer. Its most notable feature is its s-called binuclear design: the living space is divided into two wings separated by a courtyard. The family and bedroom areas are physically separate from the dining and entertaining areas. The rationale at the time was that children and parents needed individual living spaces. It comes in at just under 7,000 square feet of total floor space, with walls of stacked fieldstone. Like most homes on our list, it features walls of glass, the better to take in the property’s lush greenery as well as a panoramic view of Lake Roland. The home remains a private residence today, and retains much of its original design.
2 Point Highlight
MCM has a strong Scandinavian influence, borrows from the Japanese tradition of harmonizing nature and home design, and melds form with function.
Its daring, cantilevered balconies appear to defy gravity and give it its striking shape.
