A modern architect creates structures and buildings in the modern style. The modern style, also known as modernism or the “international style,” is associated with a lack of ornamentation and utilitarian design. The architectural modernism movement began in the early twentieth century and became the dominant style in the post-World War II era. The dominance of modernism has waned since the 1970s, and contemporary architects’ styles have become more diverse.
Modernism is associated with skyscrapers, corporate and institutional buildings, and while any structure can have a modern design, skyscrapers and corporate and institutional buildings are particularly associated with modernism. As a result, modern architects are more likely to work on commercial and institutional structures rather than single-family homes. Even when a famous modern architect oversees and is credited with the design, these projects are usually taken on large architectural firms and designed a team of architects.
There are numerous well-known modern architects. Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius of the Bauhaus school in Germany, Le Corbusier in France, and Frank Lloyd Wright in the United States were among the most influential modernists. Philip Johnson, Oscar Niemeyer, the firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Alvar Aalto, and Robert Venturi are among the most well-known modern architects.
Modern architecture is associated with technological and modernist ideas, which are reflected in the structures themselves. Modern architects typically take a functionalist approach to design, prioritizing function over form. They aim to avoid ornamentation and evoke streamlined forms while expressing the structure of the building in their design.
Modern architects, like all other architects, must have a bachelor’s degree in architecture, which takes about five years to complete. Many modern architects will continue their education with a master’s degree or other professional certification. While almost all architecture programs provide some training in modern architecture, students who want to specialize in it should look for programs that specialize in it or internships at firms that specialize in it.
Professional architects in the United States must, in most cases, be licensed passing the Architect Registration Examination. The exam covers a wide range of topics and is usually taken in modules over several years. Architects must maintain their certification adhering to continuing education requirements designed to keep them current on building codes, engineering advances, and construction techniques. Each state and territory in the United States has its own set of rules for architecture licensing.