The first rules to look for in a building when deciding if it is a modern home is the use of simple shapes and materials. Most modern homes now tend to use simple shapes such as parallel lines, zig-zag patterns, and other modern shapes. The use of material is also simple for these houses. Some materials that are used in modern homes is stucco, wood, concrete, and metal. The roofs on this style of building are usually either flat of pitched to one side of the roof. The use of cantilevered roofs and floors is also a very new concept and used a lot in modern homes.
The interior of these houses are usually very open. This can be referred to as an open style house plan. The house also would have very high vaulted ceilings and the use of large windows on the roof and exterior walls. The size and shape of windows have come a lot way so this gives the house an even more modern look. These windows will let in a lot of light during the day, to light up the house. Some materials that would be used in the interior would be glass block and different types of metals.
The best thing to keep in mind is that modern and contemporary house plans are very simple, but in no way boring. I hope after this article you will be able to spot any modern house plan you see.