If you've landed on this page, most likely you googled "when was the mid century modern era". In this article we will provide insights on this popular american design movement. 

Modernism architecture started roughly early in the 1900s to 1960s. Originating in Europe, architects Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier were the pioneers of the movement. Some architects who also played key roles in this movement were Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Loyd Wright. Their designs shaped our today aesthetic and set foundation for all modern designers.

Defining features of mid century modern: I can go on and on (and on…) about modernism architecture characteristics, yet, modernism architecture is simply defined by these predominant characteristics:

1. Functionality. As Form follows function
2. Less is more. Clean minimalist aesthetic. Minimal or no ornamentation
3. Appreciation and use of modernist materials: industrial steel frames, exposed concrete blocks, ribbon windows, curtain walls and radiant heating systems
4. Thoughtful relationship between the site and the building where interior space is planned to best compliment the surrounding natural environment.

Most of us Torontonians are familiar with The TD building. Designed by Mies Van Der Rohe, no single development has shaped and transformed the Toronto skyline quite like it did. TD Center is “Toronto’s quintessential expression of Modernism in International style” wrote William Kilbourn and William Dendy in their 1986 book, Toronto Observed. 

By Anh Ly
Designer of Mim Concept