Luis Barragán House and Studio

Anyone with a pile of money can build a big pile of a house, and back in the day, that's what you did. (See, for instance, Downton Abbey.) But during the 20^th century, a group of architects staged a controversial revolt. Why, they asked, couldn't less be as impressive as more? Across North America, sensational – but often reasonably-sized and usually deceptively simple – homes stand as their legacy. Here are ten of the best. All of them are open to the public, but make advance reservations. Farnsworth House, Plano, Ill.

Architect Mies van der Rohe is known for putting his unique stamp on gargantuan urban renewal projects in cities like Detroit and New York, but this 1,500 square-foot jewel box nearly two hours west of Chicago's Loop, built for a friend, is perhaps one of the most Miesian structures Mies ever built, reducing the idea of architecture to, in his words, "almost nothing." Homeowner Dr. Edith Farnsworth was inclined to agree, so angered by the extreme minimalism of the house that she ended up suing her friend. She lost, retired to Italy and the two never spoke to each other again.

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