The United States saw a revolution in popular architectural style between the 1930s and 1970s. American Modernism, originally influenced by the work of European masters including Le Corbusier and Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, began to establish footing in New England in early 1930-32 in part with the construction of the Field House in New Hartford, Connecticut by William Lescaze and the Ralph-Barbarin House in the city of Stamford, designed by Le Corbusier protégé Albert Frey.

By the 1940s, the region was a hotbed of modernism, led by a group of architects known as the “Harvard Five” who settled in New Canaan, Connecticut and included Marcel Breuer, Landis Gores, John Johansen, Philip Johnson and Eliot Noyes. Other architects who designed notable mid- century modern structures in New England included Victor Christ-Janer, Andrew Geller, Alan Goldberg, Carl Koch, John Black Lee, Hugh Smallen and Edward Durell Stone. The work produced by this pool of talent had international and permanent influence.

The story of New England Modernism is one of imagination, creativity and industriousness. A film produced and directed by Jake Gorst. New England Modernism: Revolutionary Architecture in the 20th Century (2024) Mainspring Narrative Films 85 min.

Recent films directed by Gorst include Frey: Part II - The Architectural Interpreter (2020, Design Onscreen), Frey: Part I - The Architectural Envoy (2018, Design Onscreen), The Nature of Modernism: E. Stewart Williams, Architect (2014, Design Onscreen), Modern Tide: Midcentury Architecture on Long Island (2012, Design Onscreen), William Krisel, Architect (2010, Design Onscreen), Journeyman Architect: The Life and Work of Donald Wexler (2009, Design Onscreen) and Desert Utopia: Mid-Century Architecture in Palm Springs (2006, Design Onscreen). His films Farmboy (2006, Jonamac Productions), and Leisurama (2005, Jonamac Productions), have been in national U.S. public television distribution.