Identification

Identifying South Carolina’s Modernist architectural resources is the primary task of MidModSC.

What is Modernist Architecture? Commonly called “Mid-Century Modern” or “MCM”, Modernist architecture in the United States was officially launched in 1932, when the Museum of Modern Art in New York City sponsored the “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition”, which was curated by architect Philip Johnson (1906 – 2005) and critic/historian Henry Russell Hitchcock, Jr. (1903 – 1987). The show highlighted some of the major Modernist architects working during the period including Le Corbusier (1887 – 1965), Walter Gropius (1883 – 1969), Mies van der Rohe (1886 – 1969), Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 – 1959), and Richard Neutra (1892 – 1970). This exhibition is considered a turning point in the history of Modernism in the United States.

Some of the styles employed during the Modernist period in South Carolina include Art Deco/Art Moderne, Streamline Moderne, Minimal Traditional (primarily a residential style), International, Googie, Brutalism, and New Formalism. While there is a greater number of Modernist buildings in the state’s larger cities (Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston), these echoes of these styles can be found in small towns as well.

We have begun identifying Modernist resources in certain areas of the state. The results are posted below.

Reconsidering Modernism in Historic Charleston – using ArcGIS’s StoryMaps program, we have created a digital walking tour of Charleston’s Modernist buildings. We will continue to add points as time allows. More cities coming soon!

Columbia Historic Downtown Resources Survey – this survey provided an update to the original survey of the area completed in 1993. Thus, Modernist buildings constructed from 1945 to 1975 are included. This survey was completed for the City of Columbia by Staci Richey of Access Preservation and Dr. Lydia Brandt of the University of South Carolina.