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  1. Architectural Styles

Moderne

Moderne architecture was popular in Edmonton in the 1930s and 1940s and was an adaptation of the Art Deco style.

On this record

Connections
9Connections
Photos
1Photos

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Details

When
1911 - 1950

About

Popular from 1925 through to the 1950s, Moderne followed and was influenced by Art Deco. Moderne differs from its predecessor as it is simpler with less ornamentation. Combining both traditional and modern ideas, decorative details were kept to a minimum, relying instead on strong horizontal elements such as flat roofs or railings. Moderne was used more commonly for residential buildings while Art Deco was used for commercial structures.

Characteristics

  • Asymmetrical
  • Flat roof
  • Flat, untextured walls in stucco or concrete
  • Simple geometric shapes
  • Little ornamentation
  • Rounded corners
  • Wrap-around windows, often using glass block
  • Metal framed windows arranged in horizontal bands
  • Decorative elements in aluminum and steel often applied in horizontal banding (called speedlines) as well as railings, and balusters

Connections

Structures

  • Balfour Manor
  • Brodeur House

Media

Frost Residence
  • Garneau Theatre
  • Gem Theatre
  • Hudson's Bay Company Building
  • Moser and Ryder Block
  • Roxy Theatre
  • Varscona Theatre
  • ModernPrevious architectural style

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