Art Moderne

Art moderne is an architectural style found principally in buildings constructed in the 1930s. The style features smooth surfaces, curved corners, and horizontal emphasis. One influence was the streamlined industrial design for ships, airplanes, and automobiles of the period.

Sometimes art moderne is identified with art deco. Although somewhat different in their overall appearance, both styles share stripped-down forms and geometric-based ornament.

Common art moderne characteristics include:

Horizontal orientation (as opposed to art deco’s vertical orientation)

Rounded edges

Corner windows

Glass-block walls

Mirrored panels

Ribbon or band of windows with metal frames

Stringcourse along coping of wall

Flat roof

Curved canopy

Smooth wall finish

Aluminum and stainless steel for door and window trim, railings, and balusters

Adapted from “Moderne/Art Moderne in Buffalo, NY” from the Buffalo as an Architectural Museum web page, http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/archsty/moderne/index.html