The Modernist Home

The Modernist house was a test of modern architects’ ability to meet human needs while fuelling the intellect. The Modernist Home reveals the striking results of the challenge to fit utopian modernist principles to day-to-day living. The Modernist house dissolved the closed spaces of the traditional home, modernizing the bathrooms and kitchens, opening the interior to natural light and providing balconies and terraces for sun-worship and sleeping in the open air. Tim Benton uncovers its elements: from the technology that provided central heating and electric lighting; to new construction materials, such as concrete and steel; to close-ups on features like winter gardens and folding furniture. He opens the door on Modernist houses around the world, from Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, to Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion, all fully illustrated with colour photographs and plans.