Washington DC, Modern & Contemporary Detached Homes For Sale
The terms modern and contemporary homes are often used synonymously, although there are distinctions. Modern architecture most commonly refers back to the modernism movement that came into being during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as a reaction to the industrial age. Think, for instance, of simple shapes and cubism. Contemporary simply means that which is current. Contemporary design is also often thought of as a trend that gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.
Contemporary Homes for Sale in the Washington Metropolitan Area
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The Mid-Century Modern era has also become a very hot trend in recent years, generally covering the period from the early 1940s to late 1960s,
That's a lot of information and sometimes it is better just to think visually—modern and contemporary homes evoke a sense of intriguing style, from abstract concepts to clean, sophisticated lines imbued with an innate sense of cool. And yes, there are some striking examples in the Washington metropolitan area.
Think of low-slung homes with overhanging roofs, tucked away in the woodsy park region
s of upscale DC neighborhoods. Or, an entire community in Alexandria, Virginia known as Hollin Hills—an award-winning midcentury modern enclave of 450 homes built by architect Charles Goodman between 1949 and 1971. These relatively modest wooden structures set into natural surroundings have attracted worldwide attention with their cubist modernity and window walls.
Modern and contemporary dwellings in the Metro area can also be multifamily affairs—such as sweeping curvilinear structures like the I.M. Pei-designed Watergate, or new mixed-use structures with hard angles that spring directly out of historic buildings in the recent trend of adaptive reuse principles.
But more than anything, these adventuress designs represent something different in a region so identified by traditional norms. And while they are not your typical designs, some can be associated with an off-shoot of Arts & Crafts architecture known as the Prairie School which is integrally linked with Frank Lloyd Wright. These homes with horizontal lines and overhanging eaves were compared to the wide-open plains and prairie geography.
These days, modern and contemporary homes in the Washington Metro area are enjoying a resurgence, designed by such notable architects as Robert Gurney, David Jameson, Hugh Jacobsen and Alan Dynerman, among many others. Builders of these thoughtfully crafted residences in upscale neighborhoods such as McLean, Virginia and Bethesda, Maryland often share common principles beyond angular aesthetics, employing eco-friendly materials and integrating the structures to their natural surroundings, rather than the traditional lot-leveling norms.
To learn more about modern and contemporary properties, call District Partners at Compass, 202-798-3600.
