This document provides an overview of modern architecture. It begins by defining modern architecture as an emerging style in the early 20th century based on rational use of modern materials and functional planning without historical ornamentation. It then discusses the development of the style through advances in steel, glass, and concrete construction allowing new building forms. The document notes criticism of modern architecture in the 1950s for sterility and lack of regional traditions. It concludes by profiling 10 of the greatest modern architects including Frank Gehry, Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, and Zaha Hadid.

1. MODERN ARCHITECTURE
De Guzman, Jeremy
Francisco, Nicca Mischelle
Salita, Jenny

2. INTRODUCTION
 Modern Architecture, new architectural style that
emerged in many Western countries in the decade
after World War I. It was based on the "rational" use
of modern materials, the principles of functionalist
planning, and the rejection of historical precedent
and ornament. This style has been generally
designated as modern, although the labels
International style, Neue Sachlichkeit, and
functionalism have also been used.

3. DEVELOPMENT OF THE STYLE
 Development of the Style
 Since the mid-19th cent. there had been repeated attempts to assimilate modern technology in
practice and theory and to formulate a modern style of architecture suitable to its age. A
functionalist approach eventually replaced the formerly eclectic approach to design. Technical
progress in the use of iron and glass made possible the construction of Sir Joseph Paxton's
celebrated Crystal Palace in London (1851), in which a remarkable delicacy was achieved. In
the ensuing years iron, steel, and glass enabled architects and engineers to enclose the vast
interior spaces of train sheds, department stores, and market halls, but often the structural
forms were clothed with irrelevant ornament.
 As late as 1889 the exposed, iron skeleton of the newly erected Eiffel Tower in Paris was met
with public outrage. In Chicago, William Le Baron Jenney pioneered the use of a complete steel
skeleton for the urban skyscraper in his Home Insurance Building (1883–85). His contemporary,
Louis Henry Sullivan, first articulated the theory of functionalism, which he demonstrated in his
numerous commercial designs. In addition, experiments in concrete construction were being
carried out in France by François Hennebique and Auguste Perret, and in the United States by
Ernest Ransome.
 As a result of these advances, the formal conception of architecture was also undergoing a
profound transformation. Frank Lloyd Wright, a pupil of Sullivan, experimented with the
interpenetration of interior and exterior spaces in his residential designs. In Holland, where
Wright's work was widely admired, the architects of de Stijl sought to organize building
elements into new combinations of overlapping and hovering rectangular planes.

4. THE STYLE EVOLVES
 Increasingly, during the 1950s, modern architecture was
criticized for its sterility, its "institutional" anonymity, and its
disregard for regional building traditions. More varied and
individual, as well as regionalist, modes of expression were
sought by architects of the next generation, although the basic
emphasis on structure and materials continued. This tendency
was evident in the works of Louis Kahn, Edward Durell Stone,
and Philip Cortelyou Johnson in the United States, and the
architects of the so-called New Brutalism movement in
England. A dynamic sculptural unity distinguished the
buildings of Eero Saarinen and the late works of Le Corbusier.
Other leading architects of this generation include Alvar Aalto
of Finland, the Italians Pier Luigi Nervi and Paolo Soleri, and
in Central and South America, Lúcio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer,
Juan O'Gorman, and Felix Candela.

6. GREATEST MODERN ARCHITECTS OF OUR
TIME
 The role architecture plays in our everyday lives is
astronomical. From the cool houses we marvel at
on Freshome‟s pages to historical & iconic buildings
that we recognize instantly, architecture surrounds
us daily. The architects behind these buildings and
homes are what we love and the following 10
architects have paved the way for ingenious design,
cutting edge innovation and have become pioneers
of our built environment.

7. 1.) FRANK GEHRY (BORN 2.28.1929)
 There is no mistaking Gehry‟s works, as they are the most distinctive,
and innovative architectural phenomena around. His deconstructive
forms are iconic as tourists flock to all of his buildings worldwide to
marvel at the architectural forms he creates. Named by Vanity Fair
as “the most important architect of our age”, he has set the
precedence for contemporary architecture. His ability to create
spaces that manipulate forms and surfaces is his most notable feats
and we all love his unique uses of materials that almost defy all logic
in how they work together.
Frank Gehry‟s –
City of Wine Complex, Northern Spain

8. 2.) FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT (BORN 6.8.1867)
 Some consider Frank Lloyd Wright to be the greatest architect of all time. For
he thought of interior & exterior spaces as one and was ahead of his time in
building forms, construction methods, and never went to a formal architecture
school. His humble American upbringing led him to learning under Louis
Sullivan – another legend in architecture and to this day Wright is noted for
his prairie-style buildings and organic influences. His organic and natural
forms that seemed to become one with nature and his innovative detailing are
still considered to be the best building and design concepts, even after nearly
150 years.
 His most notable projects include:
The Guggenheim Museum in
New York City, New York, Fallingwater
Residence in Mill Run, Pennsylvania,
Arizona State University Gammage Auditorium
& Taliesin West – Wright‟s home
and studio in Scottsdale, Arizona

9. 3.) IEOH MING PEI – I.M. PEI (BORN 4.26.1917)
 The Chinese born architect came to study architecture in the United States as
a teenager and later became one of the greatest architects of modern
architecture. Almost 80 years later I.M. Pei‟s work can be seen worldwide and
are noted for their unique use of geometric forms and incorporating Chinese
influences into his work. His National Center for Atmospheric Research in
Colorado embodies Pei‟s iconic geometric forms and unity with natural
elements in their surroundings. Pei‟s work graces some of the most
prestigious government and acclaimed sites throughout the world.
I.M. Pei‟s – National
Center for Atmospheric Research &
I.M. Pei‟s entrance to the
Le Grand Louvre in Paris

10. 4.) ZAHA HADID (BORN 10.31.1950)
 The first woman architect who ever won the Pritzker Architecture prize went to
the legendary Zaha Hadid. Born in Iraq Hadid went on to win this iconic award
which is often termed the „Nobel peace prize of architecture‟. Hadid‟s forms
are characterized as futuristic, unconventional, daring and artistic. Many of
her projects were never built and she still was ranked on Forbes list at
69th most powerful women in 2008. Her beautiful buildings always leave us
with our mouths open, as if to say, “How did she design that?”Zaha Hadid and
her many works, including a mobile museum for Chanel with Karl Lagerfield
 Her most noted projects are:
MAXXI – the National Museum of the 21st
Century Arts the Bridge Pavilion
in Zaragoza, Bergisel Ski Jump
in Innsbruck, Phaeno Science Center
and the Opera House in Guangzhou.