Best 86+ Breathtaking Sociocultural Influences On House Design Trend Of The Year

Art deco architecture was popularized during the 1920s and 1930s. As such, many designs take into account the climate and weather in the area where the property is built. Architects paid careful attention to the region's average temperatures, rainfall levels, and snowfall. They also looked to the local landscape for inspiration in crafting the exterior of the home, opting for materials like stone or cement that would better insulate the home against the weather. While Art Deco often features bright colors, in some cases architects chose to use a muted palette so that the home blended with its surroundings.

For example, in 1934, the architects J.F. Szczerba & Sons designed a Tudor-style Art Deco home in Cleveland, Ohio. The home is a blend of Tudor-style architecture with subtle Art Deco details like geometric elements, clean lines, and symmetrical shapes. The roof features “fish scale” tiles which harken back to the local vernacular style. While the home retains its classic Art Deco features, it takes into account the colder weather and snowfall of the region.

Clients who wanted to combine historical and vernacular styles with Art Deco often sought out the expertise of architects who specialized in this form of architecture. A good example of this combination is the residences of the French Colonial and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Common in homes in the southern United States, these styles were often blended with Art Deco to make completely unique houses that still represented the local architecture.

For instance, the 1933 Spanish Colonial Revival pattern-made stone house designed by architect William Ober in Des Moines, Iowa is an excellent example. Built around a central courtyard, the home features classic Spanish stuccoed walls and curved archways. But it has several touches that reference the Art Deco style. The façade is adorned with Art Deco geometric details, and the layout features the symmetrical and clean lines that identify as Art Deco. It also uses the colors of the period, like turquoise, gold, and yellow to great effect.

When constructing Art Deco homes, architects often used the latest materials of the time. While local materials were used, Art Deco architects were quite fond of new synthetic building materials. This could be seen in the use of Bakelite, an early plastic, as a decorative element of some homes. There were also new underneath surfaces like linoleum or asphalted composition roof tiles.

In addition, new methods of building such as pre-cast construction were for the first time becoming available in the 1930s. This was perfect for Art Deco designers who loved to experiment with different shapes and sizes. The first pre-cast homes were often designed with geometric Art Deco features like arched window frames, rounded balconies, and angular roofline decorations. One such example is the iconic Brightwater Towers designed by architect Robert J. McDonald in 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In many cases, architects wanted to add a religious element to their Art Deco homes. This was particularly true in the case of luxury homes where the client wanted an impressive home that reflected his or her faith. These elements included things like stained glass windows, floral patterns, and symbols from religious texts carved into the façade of the building.

The 1927 Art Deco home of Hector Guimard in Paris is a great example. It features bas-relief stucco features on the exterior walls, including the face of Jesus. The building also has an impressive stained glass window that represents the twelve disciples as commissioned by the client. It is a perfect example of how Art Deco designers blended religious elements with the modern aesthetics of the period.

Art Deco homes were often designed to blend in with the local architecture, or to reference traditional styles from the region. This helped to create a sense of aesthetic harmony with the surrounding area. For instance, an Art Deco home in Miami might feature tropical-style colors and patterns to better blend with the environment, while an example in the northeast might incorporate more muted Colonial Revival or Georgian-style designs.

A good example of this is the Borschevsky House, designed by architect Eugene Waggoner in Los Angeles. Built in 1924, it is one of the earliest examples of the California Mediterranean Revival style blended with Art Deco. While traditional elements like arches, terracotta tiles, and whitewashed walls offer a nod to the regional style, Art Deco details like rounded balconies, geometric patterns, and angular lines bring the home to life.

Art Deco homes were often built to accommodate large families, or to reflect the modern tastes of the time. Designers paid careful attention to the needs of the family in crafting the home, ensuring that each room and space was properly provisioned. Airy living spaces, separate sleeping quarters, play areas, and even libraries or studies were some of the amenities that became common in Art Deco homes.

For example, the 1928 custom-made home of Charles and Jean Courtois in Seattle is a perfect example of how to craft a home to suit an elderly couple who desire for a modern home. The home features separate living and bedroom spaces with well-proportioned dining areas, as well as outdoor verandas which were perfect for entertaining guests. In addition, the home incorporates several distinctive Art Deco elements like round archways and sharp lines that highlight the modernity of the architecture.

Geography and land shape were often taken into account when designing an Art Deco home. Architects paid careful attention to the local terrain when crafting the floor plan, often using the natural contours to their advantage when designing an aesthetically pleasing building.

For instance, the Reisberg House designed by architect Jacques Greber in 1932 in New York City is built around a small park. Greber carefully designed the home to take advantage of the natural surroundings, creating curved walls and windows that reflect the shape of the park. Greber also took the opportunity to incorporate several Art Deco details in the home, including a symmetrical façade with geometric shapes, as well as protruding balconies and columns.

When it came to designing Art Deco homes, architects were often inspired by the culture and values of the society in which they lived. This could be seen in the use of bright colors and bold patterns which were prevalent at the time or in the incorporation of traditional symbols and motifs into the home's design.

For example, the 1928 David Bulrushman residence in Leningrad was built at a time when the Soviet Union was trying to establish its cultural identity. The home's design is heavily influenced by the traditional Russian motifs of the time, featuring daring geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and even traditional Russian symbols like zigzag patterns and Cyrillic lettering. As such, the building is a perfect example of how Art Deco could be adapted to local cultural values and norms.

The Art Deco period heralded in a period of economic growth, which had a great impact on the housing market. Architects took advantage of these new opportunities and experimented with new and innovative designs. In many cases, they incorporated elements of modernity into the homes, such as the use of synthetic materials, or modern ameneties and appliances.

The “Island House” on Miami Beach is a good example. Built in 1931, the home features a streamlined façade with curved lines and abstract shapes. Inside, the home was outfitted with all the modern conveniences of the time, including electric lighting, air conditioning, and modern plumbing. The house also incorporated Art Deco decorative elements like zigzag shapes and geometric patterns, making it a perfect example of how architects used economic growth to their advantage during the Art Deco period.

Art Deco architecture was often connected to the social norms and habits of the time. This could be seen in the inclusion of amenities like large dance floors, private lounges, and other social gathering spaces. These elements were included as a way to draw attention to the home and to give the occupants a place to gather with friends and family. In addition, many Art Deco apartments featured multi-purpose spaces that could be used for both work and leisure.

One example of this is the 1932 Phoenix Condominium designed by architect Emil Sepulveda in Los Angeles. This condominium building is designed in the ziggurat style of Art Deco, and features a myriad of amenities for occupants to socialize and relax. In addition to its private lounges, it also features a spa, a gym, a tennis court, and a rooftop terrace. It is a perfect example of how Art Deco architects incorporated urban and social influences into their design.