Modern Architecture Southwest Florida

Florida's modern architecture has taken on many different forms - from the minimalist houses of the Sarasota School of Architecture, to the deconstructionist Broward County Public Library, which challenges the very notion of constructed space. Perhaps the most extraordinary of Florida's contemporary architecture seems remarkably familiar. New Urbanism harkens back to sweeter days, and the planned development in Northwest Florida, called simply Seaside, is this style's purest expression. The town gained a wide audience by playing as the backdrop in the 1998 movie, The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey and Ed Harris. This architectural style is an idyllic ode to the human scale. Every spot in town is a nice walk from every other, and neighborliness is a cherished value of the design.

Downtown Naples, redesigned by Seaside's designer Andrés Duany, also demonstrates the principles of New Urbanism, but without the advantage of a from-the-ground-up design. The same principles of scale and human connection were applied to a living and growing city district, and to great effect.

With large cities and quaint small towns, coastal villages and vast resorts, tradition and innovation, Florida is architecturally rich and represents diverse swaths of taste, culture and history.