This style  comes to be characterized by a desire to totally remove the illusion of a face that classical style provides and instead allow the elements themselves (i.e. columns, beams, windows, walls, roofs, openings, etc.) to be that facade. This approach emphasized functionalism, seeking to leverage layout, orientation, light, and ventilation to create healthier, more efficient living environments that responded to the challenges of urban density and industrialization. The movement coincided with advances in steel, concrete, and building systems, enabling new possibilities for streamlined forms and large, open spaces that maximized natural light.

The modernist movement was heavily influenced by the development of performance-based design, aiming to optimize how buildings functioned. This focus on performance led to rigorous tracking and evaluation of architectural efficiency, resulting in products and materials that could improve durability, insulation, and air quality. Regionally, modernism took on distinct expressions: Germany emphasized glass and steel, particularly in the work of the Bauhaus school, while France often focused on concrete’s plasticity, as seen in Le Corbusier’s iconic works.

Modern architecture also paralleled developments in art, psychology, and technology, embracing abstraction and rejecting past representational traditions. Its aesthetic extended to furnishings and interior design, characterized by materials like tubular steel, black leather, and abstract patterns. Mass production and the availability of electricity contributed to a “total design” aesthetic for modern living, incorporating new appliances, cars, and communication technologies like radio and television. These elements made modern architecture a symbol of progress and efficiency for the expanding middle class, while also prompting debates between those embracing modernism’s radical break from tradition and those seeking to reconnect with historical architectural languages.