10 Best Architecture Books: Modernism

Modernism was first known as "avant-garde" or simply "modern art" which was created in Europe and the Soviet republics in the last part of the 19th century. The movement started in literature and science in the 1870s and soon the impact of these ideas carried into the visual arts and architecture to be exported to other parts of the world.

The first evidence of the modern movement in architecture can be seen at the beginning of the 20th century. Succeeding generations and cultures have advanced the style with modern technology and materials. The final validation of modernism comes when a variety of post-modern styles were developed in reaction to the tenants of pure modernist architecture.
Model of Vladimir Taltlin's Tower, 1919 via Wikimedia Commons

The style also had a major impact in other countries around the world. South America has a long tradition of modernist architecture, the best example being the new capital city of Brasília designed by one of the last remaining communists in the world: Oscar Niemeyer (celebrating his 103 birthday in 2011).

Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and Philip Johnson are the top architects associated with the modernist movement practicing in the United States after World War II. These are the best architecture books to reveal the genius of these architects and this original style of design that still has a major influence on the current generation of architects and contemporary building design.

Modern Architecture Since 1900

Phaedon always publishes the best quality architecture books (and also Rizzoli Bookstore)

Architects associated with the modern movement are the giants of architecure in the 20th century, the designers who came out from the obscurity of anonymous architects to become household names in the years after World War II.  Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier and Richard Neutra came to the United States and turned the country into their showplace for design ideas they developed in Europe.  Later, I. M. Pei designed the East Wing of the National Gallery in Washington D.C. and Philip Johnson redefined residential architecture with his iconic Glass House.

Glass House by Philip Johnson in New Canaan, CT, USA. Photo by Staib via Wikimedia Commons

Rudolf Schindler's Lovell Beach House, Newport Beach, Orange County, California
Photo from the Historic American Building Survey via Wikimedia Commons

Modernist architecture found fertile ground for development in countries around the world. Towns in arid climates seem well suited to the unadorned surfaces and simplicity of this type of building. Second generation architects re-interpreted the initial modernist design principals while academics argued about the definition of modernism as it grew out of avant-garde beginnings.

The city of Haifa, Isreal is an isolated oasis of modernism, set in the desert along the Mediterranean coast. Los Angeles, California is another community where the development of modernist architecture blossomed after the Second World War.

Entire cities were also created "out of thin air" in the midst of the desert for the town of Chandigarh on the continent of India by well-known modernist architect, Le Corbusier. Japan has been a testing ground for new ideas about modernism and post-modern architecture. Scandinavia also has a long history of elegant modern design in architecture and many other design fields such as interior design and furniture.

In South America, prominent architects such as Oscar Niemeyer worked directly with government officials to create dozens of modernist masterpieces in the new capital city of Brasilia and buildings for other cities in Brasil and South America.