Art deco architecture is one of the most popular design style which mainly comprises of sleek yet stylish façade featuring geometrical and fashionable man-made materials. It is a pioneer style which broke the orthodox and traditional styles of architecture and paved way for other modern architecture techniques to follow the suit.
Art deco architecture was formulated to break the influence of traditional and classical architecture style. Originated in the early 1920s; it represented modernistic approach of that time which was highly influenced by stature and geometrical symbolism.
Art deco architecture was relatively different from the prevalent architecture style and was termed as traditional classical style with a modern edge.
A brief history
Art deco architectural style originated in late 1910’s and gained popularity by mid- 1920s. The first prominent building was exhibited in 1925; in Paris, France. It became one of the major styles in Europe and was termed as Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes.
The movement set a momentum for many highly acclaimed buildings across North America and Europe and went to far-fetched lands also like New Zealand, China and Australia.
Art deco was termed as a resurgence of art. It impacted a multitude of styles which announced its evolution with time. Art deco architecture saw a decrease in popularity during the 1930sand 1940s but it resurged in the 1980s with a bang after the advent of graphical designing.
Characteristics of Art Deco architecture
The Art Deco architecture has been influenced with a lot of things but the first thought that strikes one’s mind when art deco is mentioned is; “clean, streamlined and simple”.
Some of the most symbolic characteristics of art deco are:
- Symmetry: Symmetry is one of the most important component of art deco design. It is displayed on the façade with repetitive elements.
- Simplicity: The design is not complicated and it is kept rather simple to infuse the modernism in the design with a relevant importance given to machine like repetition.
- Material used: The reinforced concrete, plastics and vita-glass are incorporated with natural materials like jade, silver, ivory and chrome to outline the art deco touch.
- Inspiration from different sources: As the design model itself is very simple, it diversified with various other styles amalgamating in it. There were many designers who found inspiration from Egyptian, American Indian and other classical sources; and successfully incorporated it into this architectural style.
Art deco ruled America in the 1920 and 1930s and later on became popular when the technology brought it back in the 1980s.
Some of the picturesque examples of Art Deco architecture are:
The Rockefeller Center, New York:
The Empire State Building, New York:
The Time Square Building, New York:
Most of the prominent and remarkable art deco infused architectural buildings are located in New York City, which are considered pioneers of this architectural form but as per today, Napier; New Zealand is considered the art deco capital of the world.
the earthquake in 1931 completely wiped the city off the earth’s face and it had tobe rebuilt. Art deco was trending at that time, thus almost all the buildings and houses were built with art deco aesthetics as Napier transformed itself into a city bursting with art deco infused-architecture buildings.
Art deco architecture has become widespread across the world and you canfind buildings in Berlin, Singapore, Melbourne and Miami depicting this non-traditional architectural style.
Majorca Building, Melbourne:
Mutual Building, Cape Town:
Art deco architecture- what does the future holds?
Art deco- the architectural style which can be blended easily with traditional or futuristic aspects has always been a favorite of the architects across the world. With the passage of time, it has evolved itself with technology, upgraded with the newer methods and techniques and have introduced newer parameters to the style. Seems like it is not going anywhere and it is here to stay but, the forecasters are predicting that art deco is all set to make a strong comeback in 2021. It will be reviving itself as it is evident that 2020-21 is no different from 1920-21.
An architectural style which originated a century ago is all set for its revival with a slight difference in the aesthetically acclaimed components. It has always influenced fashion, jewelry, furniture, cars and of course buildings;therefore, the minimalist design amalgamated with newer technologies will be the most popular architectural style in the upcoming years; as predicted by the trend forecasters.
Also Read: Top 15 Historic Buildings and Landmarks of Karachi
