Modern architecture

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/modern-architecture

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the period of dominance?Primarily the first half to mid-20th century (roughly 1900-1960s)
2. What is the pioneering materials?Steel frame construction, reinforced concrete, and large-scale glass curtain walls
3. Why did modern architects stop using lots of decorations?They believed a building should show its true materials and purpose, so they removed extra ornaments and kept designs honest and clear.
4. How did steel help modern buildings become taller?Steel lets architects build strong skeleton frames, so the walls don’t have to carry all the weight, making it possible to make taller buildings with big windows.

International Style: A major architectural style characterized by rectilinear forms, open space, and a lack of ornamentation.
Pilotis: Columns or piers that elevate a building above ground level, creating open space underneath.
Curtain Wall: An outer covering of a building in which the walls are non-structural, typically made of glass or metal panels.