Introducing International Style Architecture for Modern Interiors

This blog has been updated on – October 16, 2025

If you’re looking to build a commercial or civic structure that is clean and minimalist, then the international style architecture is for you.

If you’ve been exploring classic architectural styles such as Dutch Baroque, Victorian, Colonial, and Tudor for a while, you may have heard of this already.

The most iconic buildings of the 20th century, which consisted of massive, sleek glass and steel structures, are typically inspired by this architectural style. Its modern designs and styles portray a more formal and revitalized skyscraper construction in crowded metro cities.

This article will help you better understand this style and how to construct it properly with accurate interior and exterior rendering.

Let’s get started.

International Style Architecture: History in Brief

Who created international style architecture? The international architectural style originated in the US and Europe in the early 1920s and 1930s.

In 1932, Philip Johnson and Henry Russell Hitchcock coined this term in an essay “The International Style: Architecture Since 1992”. That essay was a companion book for an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The term “international style” was introduced by an American to characterize a style of European architecture. Later, it was generally applied to a wide range of contemporary structures. It gradually became one of the best American architectural styles.

The following three aspects encourage architects to adapt international architectural style in the late 1800s:

• To keep up with rapid industrialization, many buildings, such as warehouses, factories, and civic and residential structures, need to be developed cost-effectively.

• A desire to move away from the ornamentation and decoration of older styles such as Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque, considered old-fashioned or obsolete. That also underlined a shift towards functionality.

• New building technologies revolved around glass, steel, iron, and reinforced concrete.

These three points led to the search for more convenient and economical architecture that maintained an excellent aesthetic sense.

The availability of mass-produced, cheap steel and iron reduced the use of brick and stone materials traditionally used in federal architecture style. Hence, the foundation of international fashion is that buildings’ appearance and form should spring naturally from their engineering and materials.

In the 1930s and 1940s, the international architectural style spread from France and Germany to Scandinavia, Japan, Britain, and North and South America.

It formed the basis of the skyscraper designs in the US in the 1950s and 1960s and eventually became a status symbol of progressiveness and corporate power.

International Style Architecture Characteristics

The international style is sometimes considered “architecture of the machine age” and symbolizes modernism.

It was one of the first architectural movements adopted across all inhabited continents. Today, it complements most exterior 3D rendering trends for commercial architectural styles.

It’s often called “minimalist” architecture for narrowing the differences between exterior and interior spaces.

Here are some common characteristics of international style architecture:

• Open interior spaces

• Asymmetrical facades

• Rectilinear forms, often with round projections

• Flat roofs without a ledge or coping

• Ribbon windows

• Modern materials such as Steel, glass, and reinforced concrete

• Glass curtain walls

• Cantilever construction that lends a visually weightless quality

• Light plane surfaces devoid of decoration

• Minimal ornamentation

These international style architecture characteristics made it a popular choice across the globe, fitting seamlessly into commercial towers, civic structures, and minimalist homes alike.

Naming and Global Expansion of International Style Architecture

International style architecture soon turned into a movement that represented progress, simplicity, and modern living, redefining trends and technologies in modern architecture and interior design.

Why it’s called international architecture?

The reason was simple. The architects across US and Europe wanted these modern architecture styles to be recognized globally in every part of world. As cities evolved, the skyline began to transform with sleek modern buildings, marking a breakthrough in international architecture and introducing a new era of minimalist, functional design.

Visionary architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe were the key players that took this modern architectural style to world and resulted in it’s popularity. Their designs focused on balance, proportion, and the harmony between interior and exterior spaces.

These principles continue to influence 3D visualization and 3D architectural rendering even today.

Examples of International Architecture Styles

Many buildings built between 1930 and 1950, including schools, show the influence of international style, including open floor plans in residential design and functionality. It was famous for European residential design, but not in the US.

While prestigious authorities commissioned architects to build houses in international style, the working class in the US did not embrace the style. However, it became one of the trends shaping the future of residential architecture.

Here are some international style architecture examples of iconic structures and their visionary architects on how international style shaped buildings across the globe:

• Bauhaus (Dessau, Germany, by Walter Gropius)

• Villa Savoye at Poissy-sur-Seine (France, by Le Corbusier)

• The German Pavilion (Barcelona, Spain, by Lilly Reich & Ludwig Mies van der Rohe)

• Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) Building (Philadelphia, US, by George Howe & William Lescaze)

• United Nations General Assembly Building and Secretariat Building (New York, US, by twelve architects, including Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier)

• The Case Study House/Stahl House (Southern California, US, by Pierre Koenig)

• Farnsworth House (Plano, Illinois, by Mies van der Rohe)

• Seagram Building (New York City by Mies van der Rohe)

• Chase Manhattan Bank (Manhattan by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)

Legacy and Lasting Impact of International Style Architecture

The legacy of international style architecture in modern design is remarkable. This modern architecture style introduced a new mindset i.e. just ditch the old, preconceived symmetry and value simplicity, clarity, and purpose over ornamentation.

The principles and concept of this international style in architecture continue to transform skylines across the world and gave rise to the clean, geometric look we now associate with modern architecture.

Influence on Modern Architecture and Design

The international architectural style reshaped how architects approached functionality. Its “form follows function” philosophy encouraged the use of modern materials plus creating open, light-filled spaces that served both aesthetic and practical purposes.

Today, these ideas continue to influence 3D interior rendering projects, helping designers visualize minimalist layouts, neutral color schemes, and strong structural compositions inspired by this timeless style.

Infact, you can still see international style examples in iconic skyscrapers in New York or mid-century homes in California. These modern buildings celebrate proportion, material honesty, and the beauty of simplicity!

Even furniture and lighting design adopted the same minimalist ideals, making this style a cornerstone of modern interior design.

Evolution and Transition Beyond the International Style

Like all design movements, international architecture too evolved with time.

By the late 20th century, some critics viewed it as lacking cultural context and warmth. Not to miss, architects now started blending modern materials with regional aesthetics, giving rise to Postmodernism and later Brutalism.

This transition opened the door for diverse modern architecture styles that blend sustainability, technology, and digital visualization.

In fact, many restoration projects now rely on 3D modeling, architectural rendering and BIM services to preserve the legacy of these historic international buildings.

Preserving the Modernist Heritage

As cities expand, the challenge is to protect these timeless structures that once defined progress. Using 3D point cloud scanning, BIM modeling, and 3D architectural rendering, architects and designers can now document and restore international style buildings with exceptional detail.

This combination of historic design principles and cutting-edge visualization tools ensures that the spirit of international architecture continues to inspire future generations.

Key Takeaways

We hope this article has given you an insight into this incredible architectural style. Few styles are more iconic in commercial architecture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is international style architecture?International style architecture is a modern architectural movement that focuses on simplicity, clean lines, and functional design using materials like glass, steel, and concrete. It emphasizes form following function and avoids unnecessary ornamentation.

Who created international style architecture?International style architecture was defined by architects Philip Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock in 1932, inspired by pioneers like Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who shaped early modern architecture.

What are the three principles of International Style?The three main principles of international style architecture are volume over mass, balance over symmetry, and elimination of ornamentation, all focused on creating clean, functional, and timeless modern buildings.

What are the four characteristics of International Style?Key characteristics of international style architecture include flat roofs, open floor plans, rectilinear forms, and glass curtain walls, creating minimal, light-filled spaces that define modern architecture.

What is the difference between modern style and International Style?Modern architecture is a broad design approach, while international style architecture is it’s specific branch that highlights simplicity, industrial materials, and functionality without decorative detailing.

What are the elements of the international style?Core elements of international style architecture include steel and glass structures, asymmetrical facades, open interiors, and smooth surfaces, reflecting the minimalist and functional ideals of modern design.

How does international style architecture evolve?By the 1970s, some critics and architects had begun to dislike the style’s limitations. The architecture that had once seemed cutting-edge and aesthetically pleasing now began to appear stale and formulaic – glass and metal “boxes.” Once again, architects embarked on a journey of decoration and innovative design. They began designing more imaginative buildings that used decoration and modern materials. Eventually, this style became known as postmodernist architecture.

Can international architectural elements be incorporated into interior design projects?Absolutely. For interior design projects, modern architects choose some standard architectural style features. They use flat roofs, neutral-colored facades, and large expanses of glass to add simplicity and emphasize functional patterns. This is how one can leverage international style into interior design architecture.