Art Moderne, also known as Streamline moderne, is a combination of the popular Art Deco-style of the 1920s and and the austere times of the Great Depression, producing a Deco-like appearance but with much less flair and ornamentation. Also influenced by the modern, no-nonsense Bauhaus architecture of Europe, Art Moderne did away with “excessive” flair like Zigzags and chevrons. The design was highlighted in the 1933 World Fair in Chicago, and although the nation was mired in a depression, reflected the spirit of technological advancements and innovative construction techniques. Common to these properties were: rounded corners, aluminum or chrome hardware, nautical themes like porthole windows, glass brick walls, flat roofing, smooth, white walls, and open floor plans. Moderne buildings were typically very tall and white, as opposed to the brightly colored styles of Art Deco. Aerodynamic curves and lines replaced sharp angles, and exotic wood and stone was replaced with cement, glass and stucco.
There are a few Moderne houses in Dallas, but they were mostly found in California and Palm Springs.
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