Characteristics of Mid-century Modern

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Architecture underwent huge paradigm shifts throughout the 20th century. Traditional styles like Classical, Colonial and Victorian remained popular, but completely new forms and expressions were introduced through modernist movements starting in both the United States and Europe. Frank Lloyd Wright’s work in the U.S., influenced by traditional Japanese design, had a profound influence on the MCM aesthetic. In addition, the Bauhaus and International Style designs of architects like Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto and Richard Neutra pioneered in Europe, which evolved later in the U.S. after many of them immigrated here, also had a significant influence on design trends. Mid-century Modern grew out of these roots into a distinct design aesthetic originating in the United States in the mid-1930’s and ran through the mid- to late 1960’s.
What is different about mid-century modern architecture and buildings? We’ve summarized key characteristics below, starting with those related to the exterior and siting, followed by those applying to interior features and ending with general ones.

1. 1. Structures emphasize rectangular and angular forms with low horizontal massing, strong horizontal and vertical planes and lines, and flat roofs with broad roof overhangs.
   2. Buildings are nestled into the site rather than placed on top of the ground.
   3. Mid-century design creates harmonious relationships between interior spaces and the surrounding property.
   4. Buildings thoughtfully oriented on the site take full advantage of the sun, shading and cross-ventilation.
   5. Outdoor rooms are nearly equal in importance to interior ones.
   6. A sense of privacy progresses to transparency.
   7. Common interior living spaces are open and flowing.
   8. Built-in furniture is used for efficiency and saving space.
   9. Bedrooms and bathrooms are small and efficient.
   10. Ornamentation is used sparingly, and the inherent characteristics of materials are used as finishes.
   11. Traditional materials are used in new ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS:

1. 1. Structures emphasize rectangular and angular forms with low horizontal massing, strong horizontal and vertical planes and lines, and flat roofs with broad roof overhangs: Shapes of buildings are based on vertical, horizontal and angled planes, in many cases grounded in boxes or linked boxes, often with corners cut out to “break the box” and with defined, juxtaposed planes extending into the exterior and landscape for dramatic effect.
   2. Buildings are nestled into the site rather than placed on top of the ground: Reflecting the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, mid-century modern structures, especially homes, tend to be on generous suburban sites and hug the ground thus appearing of the site, not in contrast to it. They often exhibit meandering one-story plans, especially those built after the early ‘50’s as society grew more prosperous and homes of all types became larger.
   3. Mid-century design creates harmonious relationships between interior spaces and the surrounding property: Siting strategies often maintain much of the natural landscaping. Furthermore, post-and-beam construction allows for the generous use of large expanses of glass windows, often in ribbon form as popularized in Bauhaus and International Style buildings, taking advantage of dramatic views and natural beauty. Large windows, no longer portholes, and skylights also introduce natural light deep into the interior of buildings. In addition, one of the subtlest, albeit most pleasing, elements of mid-century design is the intentional extension of the material of a wall or structural element from the inside to the outside (or vice versa) to help the eye connect the interior to the exterior and the site; this is sometimes executed in the form of an exterior brick wall that extends into an entry area or fireplace surround, an interior cedar wall that continues out to frame a courtyard, or exposed ceiling beams extending outside the building to the underside of the roof overhang.
   4. Buildings thoughtfully oriented on the site take full advantage of the sun, shading and cross-ventilation: The best modern homes are efficient and enhance human comfort. They are oriented to take advantage of nature’s forces to provide passive solar heating in the winter, while wide overhangs and large recessed window openings provide shading and cross-ventilation to keep homes cool in the summer.
   5. Outdoor rooms are nearly equal in importance to interior ones: Outdoor spaces, ranging from atriums, screened-in porches and three-season or Florida rooms to decks (often with overhangs providing protection from the sun and the elements) and patios (often combined with swimming pools), serve to connect indoor and outdoor living and man to nature. This reflects what was a broad cultural shift to a more casual lifestyle.
   6. A sense of privacy progresses to transparency: Oftentimes street-facing façades and entryways are not only solid but private, especially in the case of residences. Once you enter, the interior becomes increasingly transparent until you reach a common area, like the living room, where the interior opens spatially as well as to outdoor rooms, views, and landscaping. This sequence of experiences accomplishes several things: it maintains the privacy of the home toward the street, it creates a pleasurable experience moving through the spaces, and it rewards the viewer with a delightful view at the end, be it of a mountain, a forest, a desert, a pool, or a well-manicured suburban yard.
   7. Common interior living spaces are open and flowing: Living, dining and kitchen spaces tend to flow together as part of one contiguous interior space, reflecting the period’s more casual and relaxed lifestyle, as opposed to being separate spaces defined by four walls, doors, and hallways between each. To provide some privacy, without cordoning off the interiors or jeopardizing the quality of the spaces inside, architectural elements are sometimes used that don’t touch the ceiling, for example screens, cabinets or panels that frame views and conceal other areas. Translucent glass and plastic panels make for great screens because they let light in and when backlit they also tend to glow; on the other hand, wood screens provide warmth and often are executed with geometric patterns. When depth allows, cabinets provide screening and additional storage. Simple panels also allow for new materials and textures to compliment the home. The same applies on the exterior: a strategically placed privacy screen or two can eliminate the temptation to encircle the entire yard with a 6-foot-high fence.
   8. Built-in furniture is used for efficiency and saving space: Mid-century homes often exhibit purpose-built built-in furniture, not just bookshelves and kitchen cabinets, as in homes of other architectural styles, but also dining tables, desks, beds and side tables, dressers, custom closets, and more. These built-ins are often simply executed, maximized space utilization, and provide architectural detail.
   9. Bedrooms and bathrooms are small and efficient: Bedrooms and bathrooms are designed to be economical and efficient yet perfectly pleasant for sleeping and private activities, not to be lived in or exhibited as showcases. The use of built-in furniture helps economize space.
   10. Ornamentation is used sparingly, and the inherent characteristics of materials are used as finishes: Decorative moldings and elaborate trim are eliminated or greatly simplified, giving way to a clean aesthetic where materials meet in simple, well-executed joints and where materials look authentic, unadorned, and beautiful in their natural, exposed (and thus cost-effective) state. In addition, there is an emphasis on the honesty of materials. Wood is often stained rather than painted to express its natural character. In many cases exterior wood is also stained so that the texture and character of the wood can be expressed.
       You don’t find exotic materials like marble and Brazilian hard woods in original mid-century homes; instead, you find clever uses of plastic laminate, stainless steel, linoleum, simple tile, and color. We like this egalitarian approach that reinforces the value of good design over expensive or name brand materials.
   11. Traditional materials are used in new ways: Materials such as wood, cork, concrete block, brick, and stone are used in simplified ways reflecting a modern aesthetic. Traditional clapboard siding is replaced with simple vertical board cladding used in large, smooth planes. Concrete block, brick and stonework are simple, unornamented, and used in rectilinear masses and planes. Glass block windows become widely used to provide natural light combined with privacy.
   12. Modern materials and systems are featured: Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) block is used as a finished material, CMU breeze blocks provide screening, concrete floors are stained and exposed, and radiant heating systems enhance human comfort. Plywood is used in interior and exterior walls, cabinets and freestanding, often-molded furniture. Steel columns are used in exposed applications often combined with long-span steel or laminated wood trusses and beams to create open, column-free spaces. Plastics and fiberglass are used in screens, ceilings and skylights, and light fixtures (and, perhaps most prominently, in furniture). Appliance choices also reflect the burst of new technologies and materials that became available after WWII: new kitchen and laundry appliances and gadgets, transistor hi-fi equipment, intercoms, air conditioning, and more. As Charles and Ray Eames neatly summarized, mid-century modernism was about “getting the most of the best to the greatest number of people for the least amount of money”.

ANN ARBOR MID-CENTURY ARCHITECTS, THEIR CLIENTS, AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESIDENCES THEY DESIGNED AND BUILT:

After World War II, the University of Michigan and its medical system grew rapidly, spurring growth in the entire community. University professors, doctors and staff, local businessmen and -women and area professionals needed homes for their families. At the same time, the University of Michigan’s School of Architecture attracted an impressive faculty group with progressive modernist leanings and graduated many students who ended up practicing in the area. Together they all paired up to design and build an unusually large number of mid-century modern residences reflecting the characteristics as outlined above, and incorporating the latest technology, while keeping an eye on the budget.

1. 1. Designs are adapted to Ann Arbor’s natural features.
   2. The local natural color palette is featured.
   3. Typical MCM characteristics (see below) are adapted to local preferences.
   4. Cranbook craftsmanship and design influenced Ann Arbor designs.
   5. Like elsewhere, MCM evolved here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS:

1. 1. Designs are adapted to Ann Arbor’s natural features: The riverine landscape of Ann Arbor provides rolling land featuring wonderful views. As a consequence, many building sites include uneven ground, so that many of the area’s mid-century houses were built on slopes. This often led to two-level structures, often shallow wide boxes stacked on each other. This ranch-like extremely horizontal layout results in a lower level used for garage, utilities, a recreation room, and an upper-level open interior platform providing for the living room/ kitchen/ dining area; entertaining spaces were often located on one side of an atrium entrance and the personal sleeping areas were located on the other side. In other cases, floorplans tumbled down the hill with garages, entrances and living spaces at the top and bed- and other rooms below.
   2. The local natural color palette is featured: The rich colors of the local hardwood forest landscape, especially those in the fall, tended to influence building interior and exterior materials and colors. That included the use of natural colors for brick and wood surfaces, often contrasted with a bold primary or secondary color for the front door.
   3. Typical MCM characteristics (see our other list) are adapted to local preferences: Like mid-century residences elsewhere, many local examples are post-and-beam, box-like structures (see above); however, rather than highlighting post and beam elements by exposing them and even painting them in contrasting colors, local architects and their clients generally chose to encase these elements with plaster and wood resulting in cleaner, planar interiors, and ceilings. Another local adaptation is the widespread use of screened-in porches and decks vs. patios used in southern locales; the former protects people from our other residents, the mosquitoes, and the latter work well on our sloped sites.
   4. Cranbook craftsmanship and design influenced Ann Arbor designs: The influence of Eliel Saarinen at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, MI permeated the high respect for craftsmanship demonstrated in Ann Arbor MCM houses: stone and brick fireplaces à la Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian houses; ceramic tiling, cork, slate, terrazzo or stained concrete floors (sometimes with radiant heating); skylights; and a high level of craftsmanship in brick and wood detailing in keeping with a desire for beauty but within a minimalist aesthetic resistant to ornamentation.
   5. Like elsewhere, MCM evolved here: Over time, the features of mid-century modern houses evolved locally, too. For example, carports gave way to garages (reflecting increasing wealth as well as their utility given the storage they afford and protection from local weather) in contrast to the continued use of carports for southwestern U.S. mid-century residences. Another major influence became prominent later in the 1950s when acolytes of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the School of Architecture began to practice. Two examples can be seen in the white houses designed by William Muschenheim, his own house at 1251 Heather Way, and Edward Olencki, the Engel Residence at 3087 Overridge Drive.