Book: The New Modern House

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The cover of The New Modern House: Redefining Functionalism by Jonathan Bell and Ellie Stathaki
The cover of The New Modern House: Redefining Functionalism by Jonathan Bell and Ellie Stathaki
(Image credit: press)

Outlandish forms and extravagant materials fill many an architecture tome, but The New Modern House documents a refreshing backlash to the tide of style over substance. Looking at 50 residential projects from across the world, it explores the rise of an approach that combines functional design and sustainable processes with a straightforward, honest aesthetic.

Sober as this 'New Functionalism' may sound, it gives rise to radically varying structures - from the blocky, agricultural-like appearance of the corrugated 'Permanent Camping' house by Casey Brown Architecture in Australia to the sculptural, but eminently practical, gabion, pitched-roof façade of '9X9 House' in suburban Germany by Titus Bernhard Architekten.

We'll admit a touch of bias, given that it was penned by Wallpaper's very own architecture team, Jonathan Bell and Ellie Stathaki, but the self-assured and practical beauty documented in The New Modern House is far more interesting to behold than the architectural swagger with which we're so often presented.

’Permanent Camping’ by Casey Brown Architecture in Australia

’Permanent Camping’ by Casey Brown Architecture in Australia

(Image credit: press)

’Grimeton Nature Reserve Building’ by Strata Arkitektur in Sweden

’Grimeton Nature Reserve Building’ by Strata Arkitektur in Sweden

(Image credit: press)

’Casa Tóló’ by Álvaro Leite Siza Vieira in Portugal

’Casa Tóló’ by Álvaro Leite Siza Vieira in Portugal

(Image credit: press)

’Element House’ by Rintala Eggertsson Architects in South Korea

’Element House’ by Rintala Eggertsson Architects in South Korea

(Image credit: press)

’Casa Fosc’ by Pezo von Ellrichshausen Architects in Chile

’Casa Fosc’ by Pezo von Ellrichshausen Architects in Chile

(Image credit: press)

’Casa No Gerês’ by Correia Ragazzi Arquitectos in Portugal

’Casa No Gerês’ by Correia Ragazzi Arquitectos in Portugal

(Image credit: press)

’XS, S, M, L Houses’ by UNI Architects in the USA

’XS, S, M, L Houses’ by UNI Architects in the USA

(Image credit: press)
Malaika Byng

Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.