In the previous chapter of our pamphlet on the origins of Mid-Century Modern, we explored how the Bauhaus school established foundational values for future architectural styles. We will now move on to the International Style, a prominent example of this progression.
The International Style's principles of minimalism, functionality, and the honest expression of materials significantly influenced modernist and mid-century modern architecture. Its spread in the United States was facilitated by key exhibitions, the migration of European architects, and the economic and industrial context of the mid-20th century, leading to its enduring impact on the American architectural landscape.
(Marco Guagliardo - Mid-Century Home’s Editor in Chief)
Origins and Principles
Emerging in the 1920s and 1930s, the International Style drew inspiration from Bauhaus principles, emphasizing functionality, simplicity, and the use of modern materials like steel and glass. This approach introduced revolutionary construction methods, marking a significant evolution in modern architecture.
Characterized by an aesthetic that leaned heavily on the machine age, the International Style departed from ornamental designs, favoring the straightforward expression of structure and materials. Key proponents, including Le Corbusier, J.J.P. Oud, Walter Gropius, Jean Lurçat, Gerrit Rietveld, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, played pivotal roles in defining its characteristics and ethos.
