Architecture Classics: Modern Housing on the American Continent 1930-1960

Much of the production of modern architecture on the American continent was based on the model of European architects who, with their works, projected the fundamental premises and ideas for modern living. These pillars of architecture were transferred and consequently adapted to the American territory, introducing, at the same time, their own characteristics according to the territorial, socio-cultural and economic context. 

We understand that good architecture is that which serves as a model for solving problems inherent to the discipline of architecture in general. This is why certain references that we consider today as "classics" are examples of good architectural practices that have been appropriated by other architects, taking the pertinent and necessary elements to achieve a result in accordance with the particular context. 

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© Flavio Bragaia

At the same time, these works themselves become benchmarks for future generations. Considering the years that have passed since their construction, the architectural classics survive the passage of time without losing their relevance. In this way, they become exemplary works of the modern canon in America.

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© Ken Maccown

We analyze housing as a fundamental program of the modern movement, both individual and collective. We are interested in the shift from the European debate to American production. In particular, the domestic sphere's redefinition brings innovative solutions in terms of spatiality and material exploration. The use of light, the flexible floor plan, the stripping of ornamentation, and the new relationship between privacy and intimacy, are just some of the formal operations that marked the production of the second half of the 20th century. The time frame coincides with the moment of greatest modern production on the American continent and runs from 1930 to 1960.

Modernist House da Rua Santa Cruz / Gregori Warchavchik

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Cortesía de Modern Brazil Architecture
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© Agustina Coulleri

Curutchet House / Le Corbusier

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Bajo Licencia CC BY-SA 3.0. Image © Jrivell
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Bajo Licencia CC BY-SA 2.0. Image via Flickr Usuario: Júlia Risi

House on the Stream / Amancio Williams

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© Javier Deyheralde
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© Fabián Dejtiar
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Bajo Licencia CC BY 2.5 AR. Image via Ministerio del Interior, Obras Públicas y Vivienda

Das Canoas House / Oscar Niemeyer 

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Bajo Licencia CC BY-SA 3.0. Image © Arquepoética
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Architecture Classics: Modern Housing on the American Continent 1930-1960 - Image 17 of 40
via Flickr Usuario: Frank van Leersum

Farnsworth House / Mies van der Rohe

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© Greg Robbins
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Bajo licencia CC BY-SA 4.0. Image © Paul R. Burley

O´Gorman House / Juan O´Gorman

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Cortesía de Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera
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© Juan José Kochen + Ximena Rios-Zertuche
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Cortesía de Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera

Glass House / Lina Bo Bardi

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© Agustina Coulleri
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via Flickr Usuario: Maira Martines

Barragán House / Luis Barragán

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Cortesía de Casa Luis Barragán
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via Flickr Usuario: LrBln

Los Eucaliptus Building / Jorge Ferrari Hardoy + Juan Kurchan

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Cortesía de Moderna Buenos Aires
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Cortesía de Moderna Buenos Aires

Eduardo Guinle Park / Lucio Costa

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© Nelson Kon
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© Nelson Kon

Prefeito Mendes de Moraes Residential Complex (Pedregulho) / Affonso Eduardo Reidy

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Cortesía de EAD/PUCV
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Cortesía de Nabil Bonduki

This article is part of one of the ArchDaily Topics: What is good architecture?, introduced by our first book: The ArchDaily Guide to Good Architecture. Each month we explore a theme in depth through articles, interviews, news, and works. Learn more about our topics. And as always, ArchDaily values the contributions of our readers. If you would like to submit an article or a piece of work, please contact us.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 28, 2022.

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Cite: Paula Pintos + Agustina Coulleri. "Architecture Classics: Modern Housing on the American Continent 1930-1960" [Clásicos y buena arquitectura: la vivienda moderna en el continente americano 1930-1960] 01 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. (Trans. Pérez Bravo, Amelia) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/989390/classics-and-good-architecture-modern-housing-on-the-american-continent-1930-1960> ISSN 0719-8884

Bajo Licencia CC BY-SA 2.0. Image © Maria Martines

经典建筑:1930-1960年美国的现代住宅

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