Art Deco architecture

Art Deco architecture is a very characteristic form of early 20th-century architecture that shaped the skylines of many city's around the world. Some of the most famous skyscrapers still standing and in daily use today, as well as many smaller buildings and structures, are in Art Deco style.

Chrysler Building spire, Manhattan, by Carol Highsmith (LOC highsm.04444) - Chrysler Building, New York City

About Art Deco architecture

Art Deco is short for Arts Décoratifs—French for "Decorative Arts"—and originally referred to an exposition that took place in Paris in 1925, however the movement encompassed much more than what people think of today as decorative art objects. Instead, Art Deco sought to combine functionality with a celebration of the technology of the Machine Age on the one hand and the beauty of decoration, including updated references to traditional and ancient motifs, on the other. Some of these motifs are geometric, while others involve depictions of foliage, animals, people or gods, or even hood ornaments from cars, as is the case on the Chrysler Building in Manhattan/Midtown East|New York City, which has such ornaments in place of gargoyles, high up on the sides of the building's exterior. There was also a subset of Art Deco architecture that was specifically inspired by Mayan art. One example of this style is the Mayan Theater, now Club Mayan in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown Los Angeles, however various ancient civilizations influenced the Art Deco style, including Iraq|Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Italy|Rome. In addition and the Cubist style in painting and sculpture also had an influence on Art Deco architecture, particularly some of the forms in Art Deco reliefs and also inasmuch as Art Deco employed various shapes similar to some of those used in Cubist geometrical simplifications of natural forms.

Mayan Theater Los Angeles California - Mayan Theater, Los Angeles

Common elements of Art Deco architecture

• Curved lines Much Art Deco work has streamlined curves in it.
• Doors Art Deco buildings often have characteristically decorated doors.
• Lamps Interiors often have lamps with friendly geometric designs.
• Reliefs Reliefs on classical, neo-ancient or modernist subjects are an optional but relatively common feature of Art Deco façades.
• Zig-zag lines Many Art Deco buildings, including loads of movie palaces throughout the world and the Empire State Building in New York City, have symmetrical zig-zag patterns (often a combination of horizontal and vertical lines, rather than diagonals), whether in their marquees or in the overall structure of the building.

What to See

Notable examples of Art Deco architecture

Asia

Cathay Theatre, Shanghai - Cathay Theatre, French Concession, Shanghai

China

As Shanghai was a rollicking and largely European-dominated city in the 20s and 30s before World War II, it has notable Art Deco buildings and although their size is dwarfed by the skyscrapers built since the 1990s and they still have prominence in parts of the city, particularly the Shanghai/Huangpu#Bund|Bund and former Shanghai/French Concession|French Concession.

There are also a few Art Deco buildings that were constructed in Changchun when the city was the former capital of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo between 1932 and 1945.

Indonesia

Bandung has a large number of Art Deco buildings built by the Dutch when they still ruled the lands then known as the Dutch East Indies and many of them are quite distinctive and beautiful.

There are various Art Deco buildings in other places, too, including the Railway Station in Yogyakarta.

Africa

Angola

In addition to beautiful colonial architecture and the Portuguese rule left behind many Art Deco buildings in the nation, many of which fortunately survived the long civil war that took place after Angola won its independence. They can be seen mainly in Luanda and the national capital.

Eritrea

Fiat tagliero, 04 - The Fiat Tagliero Building, built in Asmara in 1938, still looks futuristic today

You might not expect to see Art Deco buildings in Eritrea, but if you go to Asmara, you can. Eritrea was under Italian occupation from 1890 until Mussolini's troops were defeated by Britain in the Battle of Keren in 1941 and the Italians were certainly influenced by Art Deco. Have a look at the Cinema Impero and Fiat Tagliero buildings if you are in Asmara.

Europe

Greece

The Italians brought their love of Art Deco to the Dodecanese during their rule of the archipelago roughly between the World Wars, building the planned town of Lakki (Italian: Portolago) on the island of Leros, which they envisioned as a great naval base in the Eastern Mediterranean and where a mansion built for the fascist dictator Mussolini still stands. Among others and the church of Agios Nikolaos, probably the only Art Deco Greek Orthodox house of worship in the world, is mainly notable. The principal town of the nearby island of Kos, levelled during a 1933 earthquake, was also re-built by the Italians on a new plan, filled with buildings that have varying degrees of Art Deco influence.

France

France was the birthplace of Art Deco and while there are not too many examples in Paris and there are numerous Art Deco buildings scattered throughout the nation. One notable example is the magnificent Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice, which now houses the local Hyatt Regency hotel

Turkey

In the 1930s, a period of quick modernization during the early decades of the republic, Türkiye saw a great upswing in railtrack constructions and the accompanying train stations were built in the most fashionable style of the era. As such and the sides of the railways all over the nation, but mainly in the east where the coming of the age of steam and trains coincided with that of Art Deco, are littered with Art Deco station buildings big and small, one impressive example being the central station of the capital, Ankara, while the relatively smaller sized station of the major railway junction of Afyon in the west of the nation is also worth a look if you happen to be nearby.

United Kingdom

Art Deco was a popular style in the United Kingdom, although sadly many buildings have not survived. Many cinemas, department stores and seaside hotels and attractions, as well as housing including blocks of flats (apartments) were built in the style. In London several Underground stations in outer boroughs are in an Art Deco style. Buildings of note in London include Battersea Power Station, Victoria Coach Station, Al Jazeera Broadcasting House and The Dorchester Hotel

North America

Kidson's Building - Kidson's Corner Building, Napier

There are many, many Art Deco buildings throughout North America.

Canada

Canada has a large number of Art Deco buildings, including the Édifice Aldred, around the junction from the Basilique Notre-Dame in Montreal/Old Montreal|Old Montreal. That skyscraper has a classic zigzag pattern, starting from a broader base and tapering higher up and beautiful decorative details closer to the ground.

Mexico

Mexico City has some important Art Deco buildings, including the magnificent and fanciful Palacio de Bellas Artes.

United States of America

Edificio Kavanagh, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 31st. December. 2010 - Flickr - PhillipC - Edificio Kavanagh, Buenos Aires

Of particular note in the United States is the landmarked Art Deco District in Miami Beach/South Beach|Miami Beach.

In New York City, notable Art Deco buildings include not only the Chrysler Building but also the Empire State Building and the entire Rockefeller Center complex—all in Manhattan/Midtown East|Midtown Manhattan—and the Central Library of the Brooklyn Public Library at Brooklyn/Prospect Park|Grand Army Plaza.

Another notable and impressive Art Deco building (still as of 2022 the tallest building in Baton Rouge and the 7th-tallest in Louisiana, at 34 stories) is the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, built in 1932.

A brief period of Pueblo Deco architecture was popular in Arizona and New Mexico, combining indigenous cultural styles with Deco.

Oceania

New Zealand

Napier, New Zealand, having been destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, is chock-full of Art Deco buildings constructed when the city was rebuilt. Anyone who is a big fan of Art Deco and wants to see it in quantity should consider a trip to Napier. Nearby Hastings (New Zealand) | Hastings also has buildings from the same period and there are several Art Deco buildings in Wellington and the capital of New Zealand.

South America

Argentina

There are many Art Deco buildings in Argentina, mainly in Buenos Aires. Included among them is the striking Edificio Kavanagh, a skyscraper, which is depicted in this Travel Guide.

Uruguay

Across Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires and the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, also has some fine Art Deco buildings, most notably the Palacio Salvo, which towers over the city from its location in the heart of downtown.

Muslim Travel Tips

Many Art Deco buildings were built as theaters, concert halls, cinemas or libraries and quite a few still function as such. Some of them have been converted into late night restaurants, restaurants or shops.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Art Deco architecture

Art Deco architecture - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Art Deco architecture, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Art Deco architecture. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Art Deco architecture and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Art Deco architecture. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Art Deco architecture. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Art Deco architecture: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Art Deco architecture.

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Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Art Deco architecture and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Art Deco architecture, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Art Deco architecture, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Art Deco architecture without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Art Deco architecture is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Art Deco architecture.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Art Deco architecture is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Art Deco architecture, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Art Deco architecture Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Art Deco architecture

Ramadan 2025 in Art Deco architecture

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Quite a few Art Deco buildings are hotels. In Shanghai alone and these include the Hotel Metropole, Peace Hotel, Park Hotel and the original Jinjiang Hotel on Maoming Road. Miami Beach/South Beach|Miami Beach has many original Art Deco hotels near the beach.