Modernist Index Archives

Saarinen’s Gateway Arch, “The Gateway to the West”

October 27, 2022
Written by Ian McMaster and Photo by courtesy of Analog Stock

What do iconic furniture, international airports and the world’s largest arch have in common? Eero Saarinen. Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer, is responsible for some of our…

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A. Quincy Jones Transforms the Modern Tract Home

October 8, 2022
Written by and Featured image photography by

In 1950, the Architectural Forum Magazine brought two significant Mid Century Modern minds together, launching a powerful partnership. The magazine recognized Joseph Eichler for Subdivision of the Year and A.…

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Falling in Love with Fallingwater

September 30, 2022
Written by Jolene Nolte and Rabekah Henderson

A student of two architectural eras, Frank Lloyd Wright crafted unique structures before and during the midcentury, none more famous than the waterfall house.

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Learn about Philip Johnson’s Glass House at https://www.atomic-ranch.com/.

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Beauty from Bleakness: Philip Johnson’s Glass House

August 9, 2022
Written by Kye Cardinalis and Featured image photography by Edelteil/CC-BY-SA 3.0

While in New Canaan, Connecticut, you have the opportunity to tour the Glass House, also called the “Johnson House,” the most celebrated structure designed by Philip Johnson. Standing on the…

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Modernist Index

When Was the MCM Era?

May 27, 2022
Written by Marissa Moldoch and Featured Image by Chad Mellon

If you've ever found yourself asking this question, you're certainly not alone. Let's take a closer look.

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Modernist Index

What Are Mid Century Modern Characteristics?

May 20, 2022
Written by Christina DeNatale and Photo by Bret Gum

Here are some of the main characteristics of Mid Century Modern design.

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Isamu Noguchi’s “News,” A Free Press Frieze

May 12, 2022
Written by Ian McMaster and Photography by Underwood Archives via Getty Images

In 1938, Isamu Noguchi submitted a proposal for a 22-foot-tall, stainless steel bas-relief sculpture entitled "News."

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front facade of the Joel M. Pritchard Building

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Paul Thiry: The Father of Pacific Northwest Modernism

April 28, 2022
Written by Kye Cardinalis and Featured image photography by Joe Mabel/CC-BY-SA 4.0

If you are visiting downtown Seattle, you will no doubt gravitate toward the iconic Space Needle at Seattle Center. Another prominent building nearby that will catch your eye is the…

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John Lautner: An Architect’s Commitment to Uniqueness

March 31, 2022
Written by Jolene Nolte and Featured image photography by evdropkick/Flickr Commons

From the Chemosphere to the Goldstein residence, Lautner's iconic designs grew out of an insistence on a structure's uniqueness and cohesion with its surroundings.

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