9 Buildings that Show Iconic Modern Architecture

What is Architecture? Architecture is simply the mechanism which ensures that our built environment totally complements and facilitates the way we wish to lead our lives, the transformation of desire into the physical form in a way which builds the society. Architecture becomes iconic when it breaks the mold, challenges the prevailing trends and blaze a trail. Take a look at some of the iconic architecture that successfully broke new ground.

1. The Falling Water House (Frank Lloyd Wright, USA)

The amalgamation of nature and the modern practices and techniques are reflected best in this breath-taking artistic masterpiece by the great F.L. Wright. Mingled with the natural landscape, the design is a perfect blend of nature and technology. Inspired by the Japanese architecture renowned for its cantilevered structures, the structure gracefully rests upon the top of a waterfall in a stacked arrangement of concrete trays. Echoing a natural pattern, the Wright fruitfully bought the natural environment right inside the house.

Do take a read to Top 10 Natural Building Materials For Sustainable Architecture

2. Eiffel Tower (Stephen Sauvestre, Paris, France)

The wrought iron structure, a remarkable example of workmanship, engineering, and technology marked the age of industrialization. The Gustave Eiffel’s creation was erected in honor of France’s industrial prowess at the occasion of world’s fair, the Paris exposition. Certainly, the tower is modern in its shape as well as the choice of material, stands out and projects an everlasting impressionable image. The tower that was once seen as a gigantic black smokestack in the city was later reflected as an image icon of Paris all over the globe.

3. The Louvre Museum (Paris, France)

Another addition to the modernistic art is the contribution made by the Chinese American architect I.M. Pei, the great Louvre pyramid which is regarded as one of the most exclusive features of the Parisian landscape. The glass and steel structure along with providing a new entrance to the existing louvre museum has also incorporated a unique system of underground galleries which has added up to the storage capacity of the museum.

Also, check out the Importance Of Glass In Architecture Design

4. The Glass House (Philiph Johnson, USA)

Phillip Johnson's intervention inspired by the Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth house design is one of the most celebrated modern structure renowned for its clean, minimalistic and simplistic design. The design comprises of an open floor plan, clear glass panels between black steel piers and a central core that supports the whole structure.

5. Villa Savoye (Le Corbusier, Paris, France)

Villa Savoye is the only building that successfully fulfills the famous ‘five points’ endorsed by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. The modernistic design comprises of the free-flowing plan, a clean and independent façade, the structure lifted on piers, roof garden, and ribbon windows.

6. Sydney Opera House (Jorn Utzon, Sydney, Australia)

Designed by Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, the structure is a masterpiece that merges together the various elements of nature and the advanced technology in a creative as well as an innovative manner to obtain a specimen which is both architecturally and structurally stable. The structure has a remarkable influence on architectural trends due to the innovative design invention that merges the modern structure with natural waterscape and is a perfect blend of hard and soft spaces.

You must check out Importance Of Form In Architecture

7. Guggenheim Museum (Frank Lloyd Wright, New York, USA)

Located in NYC, the great Guggenheim museum designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is the basis of the museum today. Referred as ‘a temple of the spirit’, the structure comprises of a unique ramp that spirals around the building and terminates right below the ceiling skylight.

8. Wainwright Building (Louis Sullivan, USA)

The Louis Sullivan’s design forms the basis of today’s high rise structure. The building often referred as the first successful steel frame structure is a composition consisting of a base, shaft and an attic, similar to that of the composition of a classical column.

9. Church of the Light (Tadao Ando, Japan)

Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s magnificent design of the church of light is a perfect blend of spirituality and architecture. An efficient play of light and solid is able to create a mood of spirituality and express the dual nature of existence. The design offers a unique combination of modernistic and spiritual art.

Lastly, take a read of the 8 Most Known Materials Used in Modern Architecture

And 5 Most Popular Architects and their Styles