by Bailey Shelton | photos by 360 Tour Designs
As most of the Midwest builds new homes as rapidly as the market allows, new styles of home architecture and design are beginning to emerge on a scale that will define an era of American households. Past population and housing booms have brought rise to certain styles before. In the Midwest, similar needs made Craftsman homes so popular that the style still dominates Hoosier housing developments today.
The Modern Contemporary style, which is now appearing as spec homes and floorplans for nearly every Hoosier home builder, pulls from the flat roofing and picture windows of the 1950s and combines it with modern materials and trends, such as scandi interior design and large outdoor living spaces. A few key design elements connect the Modern Contemporary style together. For homeowners on the prowl for the latest in Modern Contemporary home design, keep an eye out for these features:
FULL-FRAME PICTURE WINDOWS
With many homeowners seeking elements of nature in their homes and scenic landscapes in the surrounding area, Modern Contemporary homes frequently feature full walls of glass. Smart home technology drives this trend forward, with energy efficiency and automated blinds making windows that reach the vaulted ceiling more practical than they ever have been before.
INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS
Cantilevered roofs and dynamic outdoor living spaces are natural friends to the industrial look. Stained and treated wood paneling, polished metals, and dark composite siding all fit nicely into Modern Contemporary home design. It’s also common to see larger homes that seem to sink naturally into the surrounding landscape, with walkout basements or full-slab concrete patios. These architectural choices might seem effortless, but they require special planning and a skilled hand to bring the vision to life.
CLEAN LINES
Unlike the Victorian and Craftsman homes common to main streets across middle America, Modern Contemporary style doesn’t cater to needless ornamentation. Instead, these homes are constructed with clean lines in mind. This goes beyond removing crown molding from the equation—clear views through the home, dynamic kitchen layouts, and flexible living spaces all come together in the goal of intentional and minimal design.
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