ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

UNIVERSITY PARK HPOZ PRESERVATION PLAN - JULY 14, 2005

Early Modern Styles

Art Deco/Moderne
The Art Deco/Moderne style enjoyed popularity in Los Angeles in the
late 1920s to the early 1940s. The Art Deco style was introduced at
the Paris Exposition in 1925. The term “Art Deco” comes from the
French phrase “Arts Decoratifs”. The style reflects the modernity of
science and industry from this time period and was influenced by the
Bauhaus in Europe.

Several impulses were merged in Art Deco architecture, most nota-

bly the urge to be modern without completely abandoning traditional
forms or the integration of decorative elements into design. In its
earlier phase, sometimes referred to locally as “Zig Zag Moderne,” a
pronounced verticality, articulated by uninterrupted stepped piers and
cornices, endless variations on triangular and chevron motifs, and
the frequent use of tall marquees to catch the eye of the motorized
passerby, can be observed. In the thirties, the skyward reach of
buildings was tempered by a horizontal thrust suggestive of the
streamlined, aerodynamic forms of the ocean liner, the locomotive,
and the airplane.

Raised bands of horizontal moldings often doubled or tripled, cano-

pies, and pipe railings appeared, along with rounded corners, port-
hole windows, and openings glazed with glass brick. Public build-
ings during this era superimposed Art Deco piers and decorative el-
ements on traditional Classical, Egyptian and Renaissance Revival
building forms.

A rt D eco/M oderne - Com m on character defining features

Windows (pg. 53) Porches/Balconies Doorways (pg. 58)
(pg. 62)
One-over-one or single Relatively restrained Paired or single
pane Cantilevered awnings Large pane
Glass block glazing
Rectangular or round Rectangular
Arranged in vertical or Decorative crowns
horizontal bands
Decorative crowns and
spandrel panels
Roofs (pg. 66) Wall surfaces (pg. 74)
Flat Stucco
Symmetrical Concrete
Central tower with Glass Block
receding stepped lower Stainless Steel
floors (wedding cake set Aluminum
backs)
Parapets (most often
curved)

ART DECO/MODERNE 44
 ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
UNIVERSITY PARK HPOZ PRESERVATION PLAN - JULY 14, 2005

Early Modern Styles

Prairie
The first Prairie style houses were built in the United States in the late
1890s. The first Prairie style buildings in Los Angeles were built in
the early 1900s, and the movement was most popular between 1900
and 1920.

The Prairie style originated in Chicago, growing from the work of Louis
Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, and was designed as an intentional
break from traditional styles. The style reflects the Midwestern prai-
rie with an emphasis on horizontal lines, natural materials, and a sub-
dued color palette.

The Prairie style structure is often box-shaped with an emphasis on

horizontal lines and symmetry, wide over-hanging eaves, and win-
dows with multi-paned leaded art glass.

Prairie - Common character defining features

Windows (pg. 57) Porches (pg. 59) Doorways (pg. 61)
Leaded art glass Deeply recessed Paired or single
Casement windows Small or large in size Large pane glazing
Arranged in horizontal Entranceway Leaded art glass
bands Rectangular
Rectangular tops

Roofs (pg. 66) Building Materials (pg. 74)

Hipped Brick
Flat Stucco
Wide, overhanging eaves Wood
Cantilevered eaves

PRAIRIE 45