Mid-Century Modern

is a art movement that generally describes mid-20th century innovations in modern design, architecture, and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965.



During this period, American Artists were very inspired by the clean, simplicity of Scandinavian Design and how their work integrated with Nature.

Function was as important as form in Mid-Century designs, with an emphasis placed specifically on targeting the needs of the average American family.

[Lamp Left-Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright]


Architecture You Can Sit On!

The MidCentury Modernists believed that houses should harmonize with the landscape, and that furniture should coordinate with the houses.



Frank Lloyd Wright said that:


"Every chair must be designed
for the building it will be in."


[Chair, left-by Frank Lloyd Wright]



Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

Recognized as "The greatest American Architect of all Time".

Frank Lloyd Wright explored organic architecture, encouraged the use of new materials and it is said that he developed a language of architecture, engineering and technology to construct some of the most marvelous and iconic structures of the 20th century.

Fallingwater

One of Wright's most famous private residences was built from 1934 to 1937 Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.

[FallingWater, above-by Frank Lloyd Wright]

It was designed according to Wright's desire to place the occupants close to the natural surroundings, with a stream and waterfall running under part of the building.

Henry Dreyfuss (1904 - 1972)

Dreyfuss dramatically improved the look, feel, and usability of dozens of consumer products. He applied a common sense and scientific approach to design problems like: Instant Photography!

In 1960, Edwin Land (inventor & physicist) approached Henry Dreyfuss to collaborate on a camera design and they came up with the Polaroid Camera in 1965.

[Polaroid Camera, left-by Dreyfuss & Land]

The black and white Polaroid camera was a big hit with consumers!


Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983)

Fuller was an American architect, author, designer, inventor, and futurist.
He is best known for developing and popularizing the Geodesic Dome.

A Geodesic Dome is a  half spherical
structure based on a network of great
circles that lie on the surface of a sphere.

[Geodesic Dome, left-by Fuller]

The great circles intersect to form triangular elements. This complex series of shapes work together to distrubute the weight across the entire structure!

Fun Fact:  Epcot Center in Walt Disney World is a Geodesic Sphere!

Raymond Fernand Loewy (1893 –  1986) 

Loewy is one of the Best Known industrial designers of the 20th century and he influenced countless aspects of North American culture.

He began working as a fashion illustrator for Vogue and Harpers Bazaar eventually opening his own Design firm in the 1930's.

You can see his Iconic Logos on signs even today!
Have you ever seen a Greyhound Bus? or a BP gas station?
If you said Yes, then you have seen Loewy's work!

Raymond Loewy was working for NASA in the 1960's and was employed to rethink modern space design.

The Space Age influenced the material, shape, colour and functionality of Loewy's designs.

[DF-2000 cabinet, left-by Loewy]
Check out the Loewy DF cabinet with its molded
plastic (polyester) frontside.

MidCentury American Artists innovated Modern Design by bringing new principles, materials, products and imagination to Post War Urban America!

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