America's Great Mid-Century Modern & Modernist Homes
The American modernist house — from Schindler and Neutra's Los Angeles to the Case Study Houses to Mies's Farnsworth House — is one of architecture's great chapters. This passport tracks the modernist landmark homes open as house museums, plus a handful still in private hands but visible from public roads.
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Case Study House #8 (Eames House) | Pacific Palisades, CA | Charles + Ray Eames · 1949 |
| Case Study House #22 (Stahl House) | Los Angeles, CA | Pierre Koenig · 1959 · iconic Shulman photo |
| Schindler House | West Hollywood, CA | Rudolph Schindler · 1922 · LA |
| Neutra VDL Studio and Residences | Silver Lake, CA | Richard Neutra's own home · LA |
| Kaufmann House (Palm Springs) | Palm Springs, CA | Richard Neutra · 1946 |
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Fallingwater | Mill Run, PA | FLW · 1935 · PA · UNESCO |
| Taliesin West | Scottsdale, AZ | FLW · 1937 · Scottsdale, AZ |
| Hollyhock House | Los Angeles, CA | FLW · 1921 · Los Angeles |
| Marin County Civic Center | San Rafael, CA | FLW · 1962 |
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Farnsworth House | Plano, IL | Mies van der Rohe · 1951 |
| Glass House (Philip Johnson) | New Canaan, CT | Philip Johnson · 1949 |
| Gropius House | Lincoln, MA | Walter Gropius · 1938 |
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnylands (Annenberg Estate) | Rancho Mirage, CA | A. Quincy Jones · 1966 · Rancho Mirage |
| Vanna Venturi House | Chestnut Hill, PA | Robert Venturi · 1964 · PA · postmodern landmark |
| Sea Ranch Lodge & Chapel | Sea Ranch, CA | Sea Ranch · 1965 · Lawrence Halprin |
| Sarasota School Houses | Sarasota, FL | Paul Rudolph + others |
| Edris House (Palm Springs Modernism Week) | Palm Springs, CA | E. Stewart Williams · 1954 |
Turn this list into a keepsake. The Triptyka Modernist Houses Passport is a printable PDF with a curated checklist, a detail page for each stop, suggested routes, and achievement badges to earn.
Get the Printable Passport — $9.99 on Etsy →Book Ahead: Peak-season slots and timed entries sell out 2-4 weeks in advance at flagship sites. Reserve before traveling. Early Morning: Arrive at opening time. Light is best, crowds haven't arrived, and parking is empty. Palm Springs Modernism Week: Annual February event — 11 days, hundreds of home tours, lectures, films, parties. Books out 6+ months ahead. Fallingwater Tickets: Sell out for summer weekends 30+ days ahead. In-depth tour ($80) is the must-do.
This checklist spans the country. Standouts include Case Study House #8 (Eames House), Case Study House #22 (Stahl House), Schindler House, Neutra VDL Studio and Residences, among others — each chosen as a memorable stop worth the trip.
Yes. The Triptyka Modernist Houses Passport is an instant printable PDF — a curated checklist grouped by region, a detail page for each stop, suggested routes, and achievement badges to earn.
It depends on the site and the season. Many are best in spring or fall, and hours change through the year — always confirm opening times and admission before you go.
A printable modernist houses passport makes it easy — check off each one as you visit, log the date and your notes, and watch your progress add up.