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Collection by Amanda Dameron

Modern Across America

The modern architecture and design that defines the United States. Join us in the comments, and become a collaborator!

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Detroit's Lafayette Park—the first urban-renewal project in the United States—constitutes the world's largest collection of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1959, the 78-acre complex is not as well known as some of Mies' other projects. However, it deserves recognition as it still remains a vibrant neighborhood, even being more than 50 years old.
Detroit's Lafayette Park—the first urban-renewal project in the United States—constitutes the world's largest collection of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1959, the 78-acre complex is not as well known as some of Mies' other projects. However, it deserves recognition as it still remains a vibrant neighborhood, even being more than 50 years old.
At age 34, Phillip M. Isaacson commissioned architect F.Frederick Bruck to design a home for him and his wife. That was 1959. Five decades later, he still lives in his ideal home--and very little has changed.
At age 34, Phillip M. Isaacson commissioned architect F.Frederick Bruck to design a home for him and his wife. That was 1959. Five decades later, he still lives in his ideal home--and very little has changed.
The 1,800-square-foot home features a cantilevered design and diagonal cladding similar to that of Breuer’s own 1947 Connecticut residence. Hufft replaced the roof but maintained its flat profile—though finding the correct two-inch metal flashing was a challenge. “These are the details that make the original what I consider a masterpiece,” Hufft says.
The 1,800-square-foot home features a cantilevered design and diagonal cladding similar to that of Breuer’s own 1947 Connecticut residence. Hufft replaced the roof but maintained its flat profile—though finding the correct two-inch metal flashing was a challenge. “These are the details that make the original what I consider a masterpiece,” Hufft says.
Ennis House 2607 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles Inspired by Mesoamerican temples, the 1924 Ennis House is no stranger to the spotlight: it's appeared in films including "Blade Runner" and "Day of the Locust." Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his son Lloyd, the house is made of 27,000 patterned textile concrete blocks. Photography by Darren Bradley
Ennis House 2607 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles Inspired by Mesoamerican temples, the 1924 Ennis House is no stranger to the spotlight: it's appeared in films including "Blade Runner" and "Day of the Locust." Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his son Lloyd, the house is made of 27,000 patterned textile concrete blocks. Photography by Darren Bradley
Rudolph Schindler’s Bubeshko Apartments in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.
Rudolph Schindler’s Bubeshko Apartments in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.
The courtyard divides the "bi-nuclear" house into adult areas and children's areas, including a playroom.
The courtyard divides the "bi-nuclear" house into adult areas and children's areas, including a playroom.
Marcel Breuer, St. John’s Abbey (1961) Designed by a Bauhaus icon, the modernist Minnesota church greets the faithful with a bell tower perched upon a curvaceous concrete stand. Breuer follows up a strong introduction with the church itself, boasting a massive wall of hexagonal stained glass and bold concrete tresses. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Marcel Breuer, St. John’s Abbey (1961) Designed by a Bauhaus icon, the modernist Minnesota church greets the faithful with a bell tower perched upon a curvaceous concrete stand. Breuer follows up a strong introduction with the church itself, boasting a massive wall of hexagonal stained glass and bold concrete tresses. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Bell Labs’ exterior was the first large-scale application of mirrored glass, a product developed specifically for the project. Now common, especially in sunny climates, the glass’s inner layer of aluminum film blocks 70 percent of the sun’s heat and admits 25 percent of its light.
Bell Labs’ exterior was the first large-scale application of mirrored glass, a product developed specifically for the project. Now common, especially in sunny climates, the glass’s inner layer of aluminum film blocks 70 percent of the sun’s heat and admits 25 percent of its light.
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