International Style In Phoenix
Phoenix has an abundance of architectural styles and diversity despite being a rather young city. In this series we will look at architectural styles in Phoenix from the historic, to the prevalent to the unique.
The International Style in Greater Phoenix is quite rare more so since this style is not common in residential homes.
There are a few historic (Medlock Place) and non-historic (St. Francis) neighborhoods in Central Phoenix where you'll see great examples: some of these homes retain their original character while others have had the minor to major changes: these homes were mostly built from the mid 1930's to 1960's in AZ while this style in commercial and institutional buildings dominated American architecture in the 1950's through the 1970's.
[ Willo Historic District ]
Identifying features of the International Style: Architects used modern structural principles and building materials: concrete, glass, steel are very common: sometimes the structure is exposed in commercial properties, ribbon windows, block windows and corner windows are a hallmark of the style: often frosted they are an identifying mark: they all have flat roofs.
Learn about the architectural styles in Phoenix.
International Style Phoenix Architecture
The International Style of architecture became popular through the world during the 1920’s and 1930’s. This style took modern aspects and began to expand off of them to create a new style that began to spread across the world. The structures were built mainly from glass, steel, or concrete and it will frequently expose the skeleton frame that shapes the structure. When constructing this type of architecture, architects followed three different principles: balance rather than preconceived symmetry, the expression of volume rather than mass and the expulsion of applied ornament.
Most types of architectures during this time were looking to make a more scenic type of structure with decorative windows, but not International Style. Instead, this style used more single paned windows, often very thin. While this style has become popular in major cities, it is not a style that is common within residential homes. The International Style of Architecture is typically a major client for companies or businesses in cities. The style is popular in places like China because the major business cities like Hong-Kong adopt this style of architecture. In the United States, the style was relevant in major cities like New York and Chicago.
The World Trade Centers that were in New York City were one of the first relevant examples of International Style architecture in America. Now the Sears Tower in Chicago is considered the country’s most relevant examples of this style of architecture. This style of architecture is not popular throughout the city of Phoenix because it is not a popular residential style structure.
Some neighborhoods throughout the city do have a few structures that resemble the International style. When this style was instituted into Phoenix architecture, it was very different then what most citizens of the state were accustomed to at the time. The scenic aspect of the house was something that few have ever seen before in the country but it was instituted in to specific areas of Phoenix, AZ.
Some historic neighborhoods in Phoenix have homes that are created with the influence of International Style architecture. Located in the North Central part of Phoenix, AZ is the historic neighborhood of Medlock Place. These single family homes were made open to the public in 1926 and they were popular among the citizens. Today these homes are still popular among citizens of the state and are affordable to most desired home owners.
A non-historic neighborhood like St. Francis has several homes that were built with the International style influence. While built under this influence, they have undergone some changes that but still maintain the same style of structure. The town is considered more urban with a family atmosphere that is like no other. The single family homes that dominate the International style of architecture are present throughout the neighborhood and fall under a variety of price ranges. Consumers who are looking for a home in Phoenix are likely to find an International style home that falls in your price range in Phoenix, AZ.
