51¸£Àû

The Modern architecture movement in the United States has a rich but complicated history, one that 51¸£Àû is committed to explore, even as we advocate for its preservation. This history is closely intertwined with that of Modernism in Europe, but the post-war American version has its own flavor and context, driven by our own unique demographics, economics, cultures and politics. Out of that complex mix arose countless examples of innovative, thought-provoking architecture and landscape, both by transplanted Europeans and by our own home-grown American practitioners. 

Several aspects of that, however, are less admirable and merit further examination to understand the true and complete story of Modernism. While one can argue direct causality or lack thereof, it must be admitted that the rise of post-war Modernism also coincided in time with the rise of the suburbs, white flight to those suburbs, the construction of the interstate highway system (often through historic neighborhoods of color), the emptying out of downtowns, the abandonment or neglect of transit systems, and many more impacts that are regretted today.