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Modern Architectural Elements

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Modern
Pendulum Door Knocker in Stainless Steel
Located in Bondville, VT
The sculptural Pendulum door knocker brings old world craftsmanship and unadorned utility together to create minimalist art. This clean-lined modern hardware for your entryway makes ...
Category

2010s American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Stainless Steel

Zen Fire Pit by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Zen fire pit by AK47 Design. Steel fire pit Ø1800 mm. Zen is a wood-burning outdoor fire pit with a round steel crown and built-in brazier. Stone, g...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Steel

Black Basketball Backboard, Rim and Chain
Located in Portland, OR
Solid blackened oak backboard with powder coated hoop and chain. Regulation size, though can be made to custom dimensions or with other wood species. Comes with wall mounting bracket...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Oak

Bronze Gates by Mary Brōgger
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Gates by Mary Brogger Unique piece. Dimensions: W 183 x H 259 cm. Materials: Bronze. Custom sizes and finishes available. Electronic system fitting available. Mary Br...
Category

2010s American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Fire Hydrant Wrench by Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze five hole fire hydrant wrench by Jones, USA. This piece can used for its original intention or for decorative purposes. Due to its weight it would be a perfect office pap...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Gates by Mary Brōgger
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze gates by Mary Brogger Unique piece. Dimensions: W 219 x H 219 cm. Materials: Bronze. Custom sizes and finishes available. Mary Brogger is an internationally recognized ...
Category

2010s American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Luna A Disc Sconce
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the LUNA is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Pendulum Door Knocker in Premium Finishes
Located in Bondville, VT
The sculptural Pendulum door knocker brings old world craftsmanship and unadorned utility together to create minimalist art. The hefty weight of the handle feels good in your hand, a...
Category

2010s American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Stainless Steel

Luna A Small Sconce in Satin Brass & Smoked Bronze Glass
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the LUNA is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Luna A Small Disc Pendant
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the Luna is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Ercole Small Fire Pit by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Ercole small fire pit by AK47 design. Grey concrete fire pit Ø1500 mm. Ercole is a outdoor wood-burning fire pit. It is born by the union of tw...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Concrete, Steel

European Wood + Brass Wall Hat Coat Rack Two Hooks
Located in New York, NY
Wood wall rack with two brass hooks for hats and coats. From Europe. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category

20th Century European Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Eight NYC, New York Porcelain over Metal Enamel Street Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Eight NYC, New York porcelain over metal enamel street signs. Double sided. Priced individually.
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Metal

Starburst Entrance Door for New and extant Residences
Located in South Charleston, WV
Model HNRCED Sunburst Atomic Made to order by History Never Repeats LLC. Custom produced here in the United States. 84" tall x 72" is the common measurement but we can produce in any size, single or double. The video shows a door with hardware and a smooth textured paint that highlights what is possible for your door with a custom paint selected by the client and produced by Benjamin Moore using Aura Exterior. The customer also had us install a peephole as well and we incorporated this into the vertical bar. High quality construction with the best hinges, woods and hardware that can be used. All hand made. The key to the doors is the use of old Appalachian oaks to produce hard and strong door jambs with our material sourced through local yards and the woods all selected. Critical to a quality door is the true Stave Lumber Core construction which is as good as a wood door can be; strong and resistant to movement using either oak, poplar or pine depending upon the environment. Price includes the entire assembly with door jamb, weather stripping, threshold, doors, starburst to one side of doors, deadbolt, keyed entry knobs...
Category

2010s American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Luna A Small Pendant
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the LUNA is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Luna A Round Sconce
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the LUNA is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Zero Small Aluminium Fire Pit by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Zero small aluminium fire pit by AK47 design Zero is a wood-burning outdoor fire pit designed for special outdoor moments. Design and art come together, depicting fire with style...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Luna A X-Small Disc Pendant
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the Luna is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Luna A Desk Lamp in Satin Brass, Smoked Bronze Glass and White Marble
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the LUNA is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Folding Screen Room Divider Black Modern Contemporary Sculptural Geometric
Located in Bronx, NY
FOLDING SCREEN JM. Szymanski d. 2019 Using our metal sculpting technique to create intricate cutouts and a seamless edge, this folding screen is both functional and beautiful. Fini...
Category

2010s American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Steel

Luna A X-Small Pendant
Located in New York, NY
A lighting system with infinite interpretations, the LUNA is a synergy of color, shape, and refracted light. Inspired by a lunar halo, the modular light fixture grows in every direct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Blown Glass

Handcrafted Wallscape with Silk Foliage by OPIARY
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. This green wall is inspired by the design logic of the natural world and traditional Japanese zen gardens. The piece is a composition of light grey GFRC and silk foliage; the high-quality silk foliage requires no water system and is maintenance-free. DETAILS The wall is curved and measures 17 ft across, 10 ft tall, and 3 ft deep. Indoor/outdoor use and weather-resistant. MODIFICATIONS Custom size & design available upon request and designed to fit any space. Available in earth, white, light grey, grey, dark grey, and black GFRC The silk plants...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Cement

Abstract Leaded Glass Window
Located in Denton, TX
Studio crafted stained glass abstraction. This piece has been custom framed for display.          
Category

20th Century American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lead

Abstract Leaded Glass Window
Located in Denton, TX
Studio crafted stained glass abstraction. A combination of wavy clear, smoked and milky glass. This piece has been custom framed for display.  
Category

20th Century American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lead

Abstract Leaded Glass Window
Located in Denton, TX
Studio crafted stained glass abstraction. A combination of wavy clear, smoked and milky glass. This piece has been custom framed for display.   
Category

20th Century American Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lead

Rondo Fire Pit by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Rondo fire pit by AK47 design. Art meets function with the Rondo wood-burning fire pit. Created by combining steel and stone, the aesthetic is pleasing and sophisticated. Standing on steel feet makes it simple to move the Rondo anywhere, and it looks equally on a terrace as it does in the grass. Italian stone elevates the fire pit, and a protective cover keeps ashes in their place. Add grill accessories to the Rondo and it seamlessly becomes a barbecue grill...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Concrete, Steel

Giorgetti Gea Adjustable Swivel Parasol Umbrella
Located in Boston, MA
Giorgetti Gea adjustable parasol From the Greek ?a?a, meaning “the earth", GEA celebrates the beauty and openness of outdoor living. Designed by Ching Wing Lo for Giorgetti's Luxury Open Air Outdoor Collection. Equipped with a system for regulating the angle of the shade and a rotating structure that allows it to rotate through 360°, the parasol stands...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Artu Fire Pit designed by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Artu Fire Pit designed by AK47 Design A chestnut fire pit that combines traditional and updated components, the Artu by AK 47 Design does double duty as an outdoor sculpture and is ideal for open spaces, gardens, parks, terraces, hotel outdoor areas, golf clubs and so on. Though the wood is treated to prevent corrosion, the natural shades offer a rustic and unadorned design. Sturdy and comfortable, the fire pit stays covered for safety when not in use, and won’t overheat. Store logs conveniently underneath the pit. The Artu’ is not only useful as a wood-burning fire pit, but with the addition of a grill kit, it can be used as a barbecue grill...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Steel

Continental White Terra Cotta Stove
Located in New York, NY
Continental Swedish-style (19th Century) white glazed terra cotta stove with palm tree design with 2 cupids.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Ercole Large Fire Pit by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Ercole large fire pit by AK47 Design Grey concrete fire pit Ø2500 mm. Ercole is a outdoor wood-burning fire pit. It is born by the union of two...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Concrete

Modern architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, wall decorations, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original architectural elements, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Theia Tiles, Henry Wilson, and Gabriel Scott. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $90 and tops out at $207,485 while the average work can sell for $2,698.

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