5 Midcentury Design Lessons for Modern-Day Living
The era’s simple and economical materials and open, energy-smart floor plans still have relevance today. See why
I have always been enamored of the striking design results that midcentury modern architects were able to achieve. What makes their work so relevant today, though, are the modest budgets and simple materials they often used to get these results. With the steep rise in construction costs for contemporary houses, we need to discover ways to do more with less now more than ever.
1. Sloped roofs add drama and are practical. It’s the essence of midcentury modern design that sets its sloped roofs apart from those of other architectural styles. As you can see in this California midcentury modern home designed by Anshen + Allen, the geometric and exaggerated rooflines are what make this home uniquely midcentury.
Whereas the early modern architects strictly adhered to flat roofs, midcentury modern architects developed what we might call version 2.0 of modernism. The flat roofs of that era often leaked because of poor detailing and lack of experience in the building trades. Midcentury modern design incorporated a style of pitched roof not as steep as traditional houses but still steep enough for standard roofing materials to keep the house watertight while draining away the water. The plane of the sloping roof became part of the architect’s tool kit for achieving striking results.
In reality, flat roofs are not actually flat, but rather low-sloped and usually pitched to an internal roof drain. This is not only expensive, but it also requires great skill on the part of the builder to execute properly.
Whereas the early modern architects strictly adhered to flat roofs, midcentury modern architects developed what we might call version 2.0 of modernism. The flat roofs of that era often leaked because of poor detailing and lack of experience in the building trades. Midcentury modern design incorporated a style of pitched roof not as steep as traditional houses but still steep enough for standard roofing materials to keep the house watertight while draining away the water. The plane of the sloping roof became part of the architect’s tool kit for achieving striking results.
In reality, flat roofs are not actually flat, but rather low-sloped and usually pitched to an internal roof drain. This is not only expensive, but it also requires great skill on the part of the builder to execute properly.
Last year’s snowy winter in New England is an example of exactly why the midcentury modern homes in the region have sloped roofs for managing the snow. Pitched roofs naturally accumulate less snow, requiring smaller structural members, and they can also be designed for the snow to slide off. Water can also be drained from the roof.
Sloped rooflines become another element in the designer’s toolbox. On the one hand, they can provide a dramatic accent to your house, reaching to the sky, and on the other hand, sloped roofs can be used to beautifully align with the natural topography of the site, as seen in this midcentury modern home designed by James Cowan.
See more of this home in Washington
Sloped rooflines become another element in the designer’s toolbox. On the one hand, they can provide a dramatic accent to your house, reaching to the sky, and on the other hand, sloped roofs can be used to beautifully align with the natural topography of the site, as seen in this midcentury modern home designed by James Cowan.
See more of this home in Washington
2. Architecture can be a natural climate control. Houses from the 1950s often didn’t have air conditioning, so a key part of the design was to incorporate natural ventilation, ranging from whole-house fans to operable windows and doors in opposing walls to facilitate air flow. We often think of the importance of capturing the sun’s warmth during the winter, and these homes do that well. Equally important is preventing the house from overheating by keeping the sun off the windows during the hot summer. Windows oriented south with well-designed overhangs cast a shadow over the windows, like the brim of a hat, to keep the spaces cool during the warmer months.
The current environmental issue of climate change emphasizes the importance of taking into account natural ways to be smart about climate control and energy usage through architectural design. In this home we recently renovated in Lincoln, Massachusetts, we incorporated the midcentury ethos of climate control through design.
The current environmental issue of climate change emphasizes the importance of taking into account natural ways to be smart about climate control and energy usage through architectural design. In this home we recently renovated in Lincoln, Massachusetts, we incorporated the midcentury ethos of climate control through design.
3. Straightforward layouts create interest and understanding. The footprints of midcentury modern houses are often rectangular or L-shaped. Rather than using fancy decorative finishes, midcentury modern architects relied on the building’s massing to achieve interest and give us an understanding of its layout. For example, a recessed shape can show where the entry is located and separate the different “zones” of the house, such as the bedroom and living areas. Using large planes of simple siding allows the areas and entry to stand as special focal points.
This home, remodeled by Ferguson-Ettinger Architects, is a great example of how keeping it simple can create unusual, open and flowing spaces. Through careful interior planning, it’s possible to group windows together for a clear statement.
This home, remodeled by Ferguson-Ettinger Architects, is a great example of how keeping it simple can create unusual, open and flowing spaces. Through careful interior planning, it’s possible to group windows together for a clear statement.
4. Simple materials provide more creative flexibility. Midcentury modern designers pioneered many new construction materials for homes. Windows were made from mill finish aluminum. With this material, what you see is what you get. Aluminum is long-lasting and needs no refinishing as it ages. We’ve learned a lot since then, and these innovations are continuously becoming more robust. Today, new windows are aluminum-clad with long-lasting painted finishes, with insulated glass and a thermal break — outperforming the original version.
Cement board siding and aluminum siding came into common use in the 1950s as a substitute for wood siding. If the cladding is going to get painted anyway, the substrate should be durable and easy to work with, and cement board is perfect for this. Wood trim materials are increasingly expensive and hard to come by, and plastic and PVC options have become more prevalent on the market. They all have a painted finish that is easy to maintain.
Cement board siding and aluminum siding came into common use in the 1950s as a substitute for wood siding. If the cladding is going to get painted anyway, the substrate should be durable and easy to work with, and cement board is perfect for this. Wood trim materials are increasingly expensive and hard to come by, and plastic and PVC options have become more prevalent on the market. They all have a painted finish that is easy to maintain.
5. Minimal frills can accentuate details you might otherwise hide. One example of this is the staircase. Instead of having it out of sight, you can allow the stairs in your home to become free-standing sculptures in space by going with open treads. This suggests room definition while maintaining an open and united floor plan. Through the ages, stairs have made a focal point for a home, a chance for the craftsperson to show off his or her skills. In midcentury modern homes, the staircase became a showcase for the innovative new materials being used, rather than for traditional materials and craft. Simple steel beams now support the stairs, with fiberglass balustrades and aluminum fittings adapted from the aircraft industry.
Take this home renovated by Balodemas Architects. While the stairs are the first thing that visitors see when they walk into the home, the beautiful simplicity of the design and the use of open risers keep the spaces flowing and visually appealing. While building codes have become more restrictive, you shouldn’t be dissuaded from rocking your inner Brady Bunch.
See more of this home in Maryland
More
Learn about the roots of midcentury style
Browse midcentury homes on Houzz
Take this home renovated by Balodemas Architects. While the stairs are the first thing that visitors see when they walk into the home, the beautiful simplicity of the design and the use of open risers keep the spaces flowing and visually appealing. While building codes have become more restrictive, you shouldn’t be dissuaded from rocking your inner Brady Bunch.
See more of this home in Maryland
More
Learn about the roots of midcentury style
Browse midcentury homes on Houzz
Here are five top takeaways of midcentury modern design to apply to a new home.