Art Deco in American Architecture Research Paper

Art Deco in American Architecture - Research Paper Example The period between 1920s and 30s many banks were coming up and there was stiff competition for customers (Gebhard, 2003). Many banks that wanted to appear progressive were abandoning their cluttered and unattractive buildings for a more sophisticated and attractive buildings that Art Deco had brought. With this style, a bank could now appear stylistic and impressive. Many bank buildings portrayed an extraordinary geometric style and a subtle, rich detail that expressed a restrained sophistication that befits a financial institution. Apart from banks, corporates were also among the reasons for great demand in Art Deco architecture. Several corporate headquarters were shifting their headquarters to Art Deco styled buildings. This proved to their clients that they were stable enterprises in the economy and played a prominent role promising a modernistic future. Such corporates include electric utilities, communication companies, and those dealing with automotive. A good example of a cor poration that adopted this style is the Chrysler Corporation. It shifted its headquarters to the New York’s Chrysler Building in 1930. It was built at a time when there was a high competition for skyscrapers and style. It is a very good example of an American building representing Art Deco. The designer of this building was the architect William Van Allen. He designed it between 1928 and 1930. Initially Allen had been working for William Reynolds (a cigarette tycoon) but later on Walter Chrysler (automotive tycoon) acquired his plan. This building remained the world’s highest building for a short duration; it was a 77-story skyscraper reaching out to the Manhattan skyline. One would also notice its sense of style with the jewel-like glass crown (Nash & McGrath,... Apart from banks, corporates were also among the reasons for great demand in Art Deco architecture. Several corporate headquarters were shifting their headquarters to Art Deco styled buildings. This proved to their clients that they were stable enterprises in the economy and played a prominent role promising a modernistic future. Such corporates include electric utilities, communication companies, and those dealing with automotive. A good example of a corporation that adopted this style is the Chrysler Corporation. It shifted its headquarters to the New York’s Chrysler Building in 1930. It was built at a time when there was a high competition for skyscrapers and style. It is a very good example of an American building representing Art Deco. The designer of this building was the architect William Van Allen. He designed it between 1928 and 1930. Initially Allen had been working for William Reynolds (a cigarette tycoon) but later on Walter Chrysler (automotive tycoon) acquired hi s plan. This building remained the world’s highest building for a short duration; it was a 77-story skyscraper reaching out to the Manhattan skyline. One would also notice its sense of style with the jewel-like glass crown. The hotel industry was also a beneficiary and one of the reasons for popularity of Art Deco. The proprietors of hotels and restaurants used it to their advantage and came up with very decorated and stylized environments for eating and drinking. These environments employed the elements of Art Deco.