Transformation of the Late 20th Century, Mid-Century Architecture and the American family

A part of our Cornerstones of History lecture series.

Siobhan Moroney is a professor at Lake Forest College. An architectural historian, she is author of Chicagoland Prize Houses: How a Mid-Century Architecture Competition Reimagined the American Home.

Family life changed significantly in the latter half of the 20th century. We have new conceptions of marriage, fertility has dropped resulting in smaller household sizes, the emotional and psychological needs of children require significant attention. These changes have had a particular impact on the American home, shaping our need for public and private space. We will explore those demographic changes and review the way the needs of the American family has influenced house design.