Analysis of Moderne vs. Modern Architecture: Styles and Impact

This essay provides a comprehensive comparison between Moderne (Streamline Modern or Art Moderne) and Modern architecture styles, tracing their origins, characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Moderne architecture, emerging in the 1930s, is characterized by flattened roofs, horizontal lines, rounded edges, and subdued colors, often resembling nautical elements with minimal ornamentation, making it cost-effective and suitable for public spaces. However, it requires large spaces and lacks ornamentation, which may not appeal to everyone. Modern architecture, on the other hand, arose from technological advancements in steel, reinforced concrete, and glass, enabling the construction of taller, stronger, and more versatile buildings with efficient land utilization and greater design flexibility. While modern architecture allows for ornamented buildings and mixed colors, it is more expensive, requires specialized expertise, and can lead to the erosion of traditional designs. The essay also discusses the presence of both styles in Australia, using the Minerva Theatre and the Parliament House in Adelaide as examples, highlighting the evolution of cultural trends and architectural diversity.

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Moderne Vs Modern architecture
by
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Architecture is not only an art but also a science which deals with the general
development of buildings and everything that pertain to their organization and maintenance.
Historically, architecture has evolved over the centuries with the evolution of technology,
advancements in the study of architecture as a subject assimilation and adoption of different
cultures (Langmead and Johnson, 2000). Observations on the styles, designs and trends are made
as one studies the history of architecture. There are numerous styles of architecture among them
modern and modern.
Moderne type of architecture is also known as Streamline Modern architecture or Art
Moderne. The style emerged in the 1930s after the great depression and is a type of art Deco
Architecture. This type of architecture has distinct characteristics such as a flattened roof or no
roof sometimes, lines in the wall or horizontal groves, rounded edges, smooth wall surfaces,
subdued colors, glass brick walls, windows at the corners, and a horizontal orientation among
others. generally, the buildings constructed using this style of art have polished and smooth
surfaces which put a great highlights on the horizontal sides and lines of the buildings. Majority
of the buildings built in this style are usually longer and not necessary taller and tend to be
asymmetrical. The style was also adopted in industries that manufacture other industrial and
home equipments and appliances. Of importance to also note is that buildings with this style
have less or no ornaments and decorations.
The designs of moderne architecture buildings have some resemblance with nautical
elements like ships. For instance, they both have rounded windows. Most commercial buildings
in 1930s began following this style of architecture and it quickly picked up. Most of the
buildings constructed by the application of this style were used by the public for entertainments,
as terminals in the airports and stations for public transport buses. Movie theatres were an
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example of entertainment joints which applied this style of architecture. Globally, some of the
popular buildings which were constructed using this style include the Coca-cola bottling plant in
Los Angeles, the Normandie Hotel in San Juan and the Ford building in San Diego.
This style of architecture came with its set of advantages. Single colors were found
pleasing by those who had low tolerance to multiple colors especially in public buildings or who
are generally color- phobic. Some people and architects found the subdued colors elegant,
focusing the attention on the geometrical design. The use of less or no ornaments which was
typical of the style was preferred too by some people who were critical of buildings’ decorations
and who only preferred the basic structures.
The construction of buildings using this style of architecture had a relatively lower cost
compared to the modern architecture. This is because it did not make use of new construction
technology which would be expensive to acquire. The style was also convenient for constructing
public places which could hold large capacities. This is why majority of theatres and
entertainment joints were constructed using the design of streamline moderne. The style did not
require much expertise like the modern style. This was an advantage because it meant that
human resources such as engineers were easy to get. The engineers and architects did not need
specialized expertise since the style avoided a lot details. No new and advanced technology was
used and this in turn meant that advanced technical know-how was not used as well.
Despite the numerous advantages associated with streamline moderne architecture, the
style had numerous shortcomings. Firstly, their horizontally long characteristic meant that a big
space was needed for construction. This would also in turn lead to congestions in towns and
cities as they occupied larger spaces. This was a major setback for the developers who desired
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the style but had limited space. The style was unsuitable for small- land owners. Also for those
who had more preference for ornamented buildings, this style did not cater for their need as it
had less or no ornaments.
On the other hand is the Modern Architecture style which is also known as modernist
architecture. This style emerged due to advancements in technology and new innovations in
constructions. The main and notable innovations which inspired this style were in steel, concrete
that is reinforced and the use of glass. The style began in the 20th century and survived through
the World War II until the 1980s. The new inventions in the building industry and engineering
made it possible to build taller and stronger buildings which began to be highly desired.
Windows which were larger in size compared to those previously existing could now be
manufactured due to an improved technology in glass which in this case was cast plate glass.
Skyscrapers such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Flatiron building and the Prudential building in
New York, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago and the neo -Gothic crown of the
Woolworth Building are some of the modernist buildings which made use of the style.
Some advantages of this type of architecture included ability to construct tall buildings
which were stronger and lighter. This was made possible by the new innovations in construction
and engineering. Skyscrapers which were not only landmarks but also sites of attraction such as
the Eiffel Tower in Paris were possible to construct. The style also made an efficient utilization
of land resources. With the availability of even small pieces of land, architects could construct
numerous- storied buildings to still meet the desired capacity of the buildings. The ornamented
buildings displayed beauty which was considered pleasing by most people. This was also the
case in their use of mixed colors which added to their beauty as well. This design gave
developers the freedom to incorporate their color tastes and preferences in their buildings.
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Materials used in the constructions were strong which translated to durable and long
lasting buildings. This was economically advantageous as it would save the building owners the
cost of reconstructions. The style made it possible to develop purpose-specified buildings which
were customized to meet the intended purpose. They were convenient as different offices and
facilities could be housed in one single building. Also, since the design made use of storey
buildings, towns and cities were less congested as they created more space unlike the moderne
designs which used up larger spaces causing congestions (Treib, 2002). More and more buildings
could also be fit in smaller spaces. The buildings were more versatile with good lighting and
clean, open spaces which were considered ideal by developers.
Modern architectural designs were flexible and encouraged creativity and broad
imagination of the architects or property developers. They were accommodative of a blend of
ideas and this made the design very suitable to many people, because of the uniqueness which
they provided. They were also easy to erect because of their use of quicker, improved
technology. The buildings erected were also lighter due to the improved technology and this
property made it suitable to construct multiple-storied buildings with the assurance of durability.
The reinforced concrete and steel used enhanced the stability of building and this contributed to
improved safety of buildings with less chances of collapsing. Modern architecture could not be
identified with any sociolinguistic group or any culture and this was an advantage as the style
could be adopted across cultural borders without the fear of cultural victimization or influence.
However, modern architecture had its share of disadvantages. Firstly, they needed more
financing than the streamline modern. The new innovations which the designed used were not
cheap to acquire and this barred anyone who desired the design but did not have enough funding.
The construction of tall buildings such as skyscrapers also required efficient manpower, well
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acquainted with the new building technology. This only gave room for the well established and
only the deeply knowledgeable engineers and architects. The availability of required materials of
high quality such as steel and glass would also prove to be a challenge at times for only few
industries produced them when the technology emerged. Generally, the cost of modern
architecture was more in comparison to other existing architectural styles. Only the wealthy
could afford the high-tech materials needed and this was a great barrier.
Another disadvantage of the emergence of modern architecture was the erosion of
traditional designs which had served as cultural reserves. With the adoption of new modern
designs, some buildings which had borne cultural significance were demolished or remodeled
into modern designs. With time, only a few traditional designs have remained because of
modernization. This in particular has been a disadvantage to younger generations who find no
traditional designs which they can refer to or identify with. Also, due to diverse ideas being used
to construct buildings in urban areas, there is too much assortment of designs which has limited
the urban areas in identifying with particular designs. In ancient cities for instances, most
buildings were constructed using particular designs which the city could be identified with. This
however became difficult with the emergence of modern architecture since every building would
be constructed in its own unique way.
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In Australia, both the streamline moderne and modern styles of architecture existed and
there are buildings constructed using these styles of architecture which have existed even to the
present. Australian architecture has followed architectural trends over the centuries from
indigenous and Aboriginal styles to the adoption of international ones from the Western World
mainly Europe (Sharp, 2002). Construction of structures using these architectural styles was
made possible by established and popular architects some of whom where Australians while
others were expatriates from Europe and America. They imported their architectural designs
which had already existed in their home countries.
The Minerva Theatre in south Wales, which is also called the Metro and the Minerva
Building which is adjacent to it are notable examples of streamline architecture in South
Australia. The building was constructed in 1937 and it derived most of its influence from
European and American styles of construction. It was constructed as an entertainment hub for the
public and was designed with the provision of comfort to those getting entertained being the
ultimate goal. It has smooth curves and polished edges with flat roofing. The windows are
curved and distributed even at the corners. The building has a single white color and lacks
architectural ornaments, giving it a plain look. The building is horizontally longer than it is tall, a
prominent feature of streamline moderne architecture (Jackson and Johnson, 2002).
On the contrary in design is the Parliament House in Adelaide which houses the
parliament seating of South Australia. The style of architecture is modernist (Cosgrove, 2009).
The building has open, clean spaces which are less clumsy. It has numerous windows to light up
the inside well. The improved technology used to build it constitutes the use of steel and
reinforced steel. Modern glass was also used in its construction too. The multiple storied building
is more versatile with different parliament offices all housed on the same building, making it
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effective for diverse purposes and operations (Morgenthaler, n.d.) . The contrasting styles of
architecture between the Minerva Theatre and the Parliament House form the basis of their major
differences. This is because every architectural design has its distinct features. Their
functionality also contributed to a difference in their additional features.
Both of these historical buildings which are publicly accessible are architecturally iconic.
They can be used to show evolution of cultural trends in South Australia and serve as historical
reminders. They are also important landmarks of Australia and national symbols which are used
as points of reference. They were both designed by well established architects. Over time, the
buildings have undergone numerous renovations and remodeling but they have still maintained
their original architectural designs. They are also symbols of diversity and flexibility that exist in
Australia.
Domestic buildings such as the Beaumont House and the Wyldefel Gardens are some
examples of modern and streamline moderne styles of architecture respectively. Wyldefel
Gardens are residential apartments in Sydney which were constructed in 1934. The apartments
were designed by an architect known as John Brogan who was inspired by the Art Moderne
architecture style which was prevailing at the time. They are painted in a single color (white),
have smooth and polished edges and noticeable curves. The windows of the apartments are
curved glass, which are situated even at the edges of the buildings. The Beaumont House also
known as Claremont was initially built for an Anglican Bishop who founded St. Peter’s
Cathedral, but later its ownership transferred to National Trust of South Australia when he went
back to his homeland. The style of construction was modernist architecture. Much emphasis on
the lighting, clean space and versatility was put in its design.
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The features of all streamline moderne buildings were similar for both commercial and
domestic buildings. The Wyldefel Gardens and the Metro Theatre bear the same distinguishing
features of streamline moderne. They have rounded edges with smooth curves, a longer
horizontal alignment than the vertical one, flat roofs, monochrome colors and curved windows.
Their major difference is in their capacity and functionality. The Wyldefel Gardens however
have incorporated additional details such as well manicured lawns which add to the overall
beauty of the apartments.
The same case applies to the Beaumont House and Parliament House. Having being
constructed using a similar style of architecture, they bear the same general features of modern
architecture such as proper lighting and versatility. They however differ in functionality and
capacity too. The Parliament House has multiple floors unlike the Beaumont House.
In conclusion, different styles of architecture can be observed throughout history. They
are important in helping us study the evolution of architectural designs and appreciate the iconic
architects who made outstanding contributions to architecture, as well as appreciate diversity in
the society. The dominance of some architectural designs in some regions also gives us a deeper
understanding on the cultural preferences of the natives of those particular regions (Sennott,
2004). Architectural historians are able to date pre-historic sites based on their architectural
designs as they emerged during certain historic periods.
Different architectural designs also are important for they are able to meet the needs of
people with different personalities (Dickson, 2010). As aforementioned, architectural decorations
and colors for instance, would be preferred by some individuals and not others. The presence of
diverse styles would therefore suit everyone’s tastes and preferences.
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Presently, architecture has evolved to post-modern styles. New inventions and
discoveries are being made in the construction industry and engineering. More emphasis is being
placed on environmental sustainability necessitating the use of environmental friendly
construction materials which do not lead to environmental degradation (Osborne and Lewis,
2012) . Pre-historic architects therefore laid a good ground for architecture. Present architects
have continued to build on their designs and advance them with the availability of super
advanced technology. Australia boasts of iconic architectural sites such as the Sydney Opera
House, the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, the Academy of Science –Australian National
University, the Phoenix Tower also in Melbourne and the Council House in Western Australia
among others (McCartney, 2007). Evidently, diverse architectural styles have been greatly
embraced in Australia in general.
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Bibliographies
Boyd, R. (2011). Victorian modern. South Yarra: Robin Boyd Foundation.
Cosgrove, C. (2009). Moving to the modern. Adelaide, S. Aust.: Architecture Museum, Louis
Laybourne Smith School of Architecture and Design, University of South Australia.
Cox, P., Graus, P. and Meyer, B. (2011). Home. Edgecliff: Jane Curry Publishing.
Dickson, R. (2010). Addicted to architecture. Kent Town, S. Aust.: Wakefield Press.
Jackson, D. and Johnson, C. (2002). Australian architecture now. London: Thames & Hudson.
Langmead, D. and Johnson, D. (2000). Architectural excursions. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood
Press.
McCartney, K. (2007). Iconic Australian houses. Sydney: Murdoch Books.
Memmot, P. (2007). Gunyah, Goondie and Wurley. St Lucia, Qld. University of Queensland
Press.
Morgenthaler, H. (n.d.). The Meaning of Modern Architecture.
Osborne, C. and Lewis, A. (2012). Australian modern. Carina, Qld: Chris Osborne Publishing.
Saniga, A. (2013). Making Landscape Architecture in Australia. Sydney: University of New
South Wales Press.
Sennott, R. (2004). Encyclopedia of 20th century architecture. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn,
p.71.
Sharp, D. (2002). Twentieth century architecture. Mulgrave, Vic.: Images Publishing Group.
Thalis, P. and Cantrill, P. (2013). Public Sydney. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Co-Published by the
Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales and Faculty of the Built Environment, University of
New South Wales.
Treib, M. (2002). The Architecture of landscape, 1940-1960. Philadelphia: University of
Pennsylvania Press.
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