A Century of Art Deco Architecture

The Art Deco style emerged in France and was formally introduced to the world a century ago at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. The exposition included pavilions showcasing Art Deco style in architecture, furniture, jewelry, textiles, and glass. Art Deco reflected modernity, glamour, and technology. It combined opulent craftsmanship with industrial aesthetics using geometric forms, luxurious materials, and stylized motifs such as zigzags, chevrons, and sunbursts. The Art Deco style quickly influenced architecture, fashion, industrial design and decorative arts worldwide.

Art Deco design had a significant impact on the architectural landscape of America that shaped many of the most iconic and beautiful structures built during the 1920s and 1930s. Despite their historic and architectural significance, some Art Deco buildings have been lost to make way for modern developments and urban renewal projects. However, the enduring presence of many iconic Art Deco buildings ensures it's continued legacy and a century later its streamlined aesthetic continues to symbolize modernity, glamour, and optimism.

Chrysler Building in New York City
Empire State Building in New York City
City Hall in Los Angeles, California
Eastern Columbia Building in Los Angeles, California
Former Bullocks Wilshire (now Southwestern Law School) in Los Angeles, California
Former Los Angeles General Medical Center in Los Angeles, California
Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, California
The Times Building in Los Angeles, California
Eastern Columbia Building in Los Angeles, California
Union Terminal Stations in Cincinnati, Ohio