Phoenix Modern Homes
Contemporary and Modern designs have had strong roots in the Metro Phoenix area since the early 20th century, when Frank Lloyd Wright moved his school to Taliesin West in Scottsdale. Paolo Soleri moved to Arizona to work with Wright, then later established Cosanti and the Arcosanti Project, his experimental community near Prescott.
The stark, severe lines of modern architecture derived from International Style and the Bauhaus have never become dominant styles in residential architecture. After World War II, architects merged the clean lines of earlier International and Bauhaus styles with more eclectic, organic design elements to create the style now known as Mid-Century Modern. During the 1940’s, 1950’s and ’60’s, architects like Al Beadle, Blaine Drake and Ralph Haver left Phoenix Metro with a rich legacy of Mid-Century Modern homes.
Mid-Century Modernism you find today in Phoenix incorporated elements of the International and Bauhaus styles. It was influenced by Scandinavian design, while being less formal than International Style, and reflected Wright’s use of organic, natural shapes. The emphasis was on open floor plans. Innovative post and beam architectural design eliminated bulky supporting walls and allowed large walls of glass that brought the outdoors inside. With architects of this period targeting the needs of average American families, Mid-Century Modern homes proliferated in the Valley. Whether you are looking for a neo-historic home to restore or one that’s already updated, there are usually a number of Contemporary homes for sale in Phoenix, Scottsdale or Paradise Valley AZ to meet your needs.
Builder/developer Joseph Eichler, after renting a home built by Frank Lloyd Wright, built thousands of Mid-Century Modern homes in California subdivisions, so the style became known as California Ranch. As a result, searching for Ranch style homes may produce additional examples of Mid-Century Modern homes for sale in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley AZ and surrounding cities.
As you examine Metro Phoenix you might notice the area’s tradition of innovative Contemporary home design has continued, with many architects designing stunning homes and condos in the Valley. In recent years, some architects have moved away from stark Modern design, towards a more eclectic, friendly style referred to as Post Modernism, while others have taken design in many other innovative directions. Look for diverse, stunning designs in everything from pre-fab homes to condos, with great design work by many talented architects including Wendell Burnette, Eddie Jones, Circle West and Will Bruder.
Plenty of interesting Contemporary homes for sale can be found throughout the area. Neighborhoods of note for Contemporary & Modern homes include Marlen Grove, Windemer in Phoenix near Arcadia, Desert Mountain, Marion Estates in Phoenix, Troon in Scottsdale and Clearwater Hills in Paradise Valley.
(Additional Information: Learn about house styles on About.com. Written by Jackie Craven)
Browse through some of these amazing modern gems, currently for sale:
**Disclaimer: we are at the mercy of how listing agents in Phoenix categorize the homes in the MLS. Odds are, you will see some of the homes below and think they aren’t even close to being modern. Contact us or call us and we’ll be happy to help sift through the muck to find you the right modern home.