Modern architecture is the height of contemporary living – so why are we still putting out dowdy old birdhouses for our feathered neighbors? These gorgeous modern birdhouses are a step forward from the old-fashioned homes our parents and grandparents once hung in the trees to attract families of flying friends.

The Roost line of modern birdhouses adds some class and modern sophistication to any garden. Their unusual shapes and clean lines bring to mind some of the most beloved contemporary (human) architecture in the world.

The Case Study Masters series from Modern Bird Houses honors three specific architects who helped to define mid-century style. Named for J.R. Davidson, Richard Neutra and Ralph Rapson, these birdhouses embody the design sensibilities that made the mid-20th century such an iconic time for architecture.

Box for the Birds was created by designer Michael Oliveri as a weekend project that he would complete with his young daughter. He instead ended up building an ingenious puzzle-like birdhouse that holds together without the use of glue or nails. The Box for the Birds is available in both the classic A-frame shape and a boxier modern model, and both are available in wood, transparent acrylic and a shiny mirror finish.

At the 2011 Royal College of Art graduate show, Jack Smith’s Birdbox was an impressive sight. This two-piece, flat-pack modern birdhouse is held together with tabs fitted through slots – and a few small wood scraps – to create a beautifully simple tree house for small feathered families.