Art Moderne Architecture
Art Moderne Architecture made is a style that emerged in the 1930’s and descended from theArt Deco design. Also referred to as Streamline Moderne Architecture, Art Morderne style features curving forms, long horizontal lines, and at times has some nautical elements.
The style originated from the Bauhaus movement that began in Germany where architects used principals of classic architecture to create simple structures. The style in which these architects built their structures was based on triangles, curves, and cones.
The other types of Art Deco that accompany Art Moderne are Steeping Type and Classic Moderne. As these other, more decorative styles began to fade in the 1930’s, the Art Moderne style began to take over not only in architecture, but in more common thing as well like jewelry and kitchen appliances.
(An Example of Art Moderne in the Woodlea Historic District)
While Art Moderne Architecture comes from the Art Deco design, it still has some significant differences. The Art Moderne designed buildings are usually white while other types of ArtDeco buildings can be white or brightly colored. Art Deco architecture usually has a significant design that makes the building standout such as a zigzag features or other types of ornaments. Art Moderne Architecture is fairly plain in its design, lacking much decorative detail.
Finally, the Art Moderne style usually consists of a more low and horizontal design where most Art Deco buildings are usually built in a more vertical style that has multiple floors.
Some other features of the Art Moderne design includes rounded corners, glass block or wrap around windows, aluminum or steel frames around doors and windows, mirrored panels,and open floor plans. This design began a transition that moved away from the traditional wood and stone buildings to more glass and cement buildings. This style of building presented a more up to date design that came with the progressing society in America.
The Art Moderne style is usually used for commercial buildings and not for homes even though the style has been included in some home designs. When this design was used to build homes,it was usually used in row homes that were built in the post war era. This design of architecture that was inspired by industrial movement in American and the Art Moderne design began to inspired many new industrial inventions.
This style was applied to many household appliances such as vacuums, radio receivers and even sewing machines. In 1934, Chrysler came out with the Airflow automobile that featured the Art Moderne style. This style of design was made possible for the first time as a result of prosperity in America.
Some of the structures that were formed as a result of this design are the main terminal at theLong Beach Airport, the Coca Cola building in Los Angeles, and the Hunt Ridge Theater in LasVegas. In the movie The Wizard of Oz, the design of the “Emerald City” was inspired by theArt Moderne Architecture design. The Art Moderne Architecture revival era marked a turning point in architecture for the American society.
In Phoenix Art Moderne homes are not very common, but a few of the histric neighborhood where they can be seen are Woodlea, Medlock Place or Country Club Park.
Learn about the other architectureal styles of the Phoenix historic districts.
