Chapter 1 Architectural Styles 21
They developed an architectural style designed
to blend into the Midwest prairie landscape.
The rectangular, one- or two-story house had a
fl at or low-hipped roof with wide overhanging
eaves. Horizontal lines visually lowered the house,
making it harmonious with its surroundings.
The use of natural building materials such as
stone and wood strengthened the union of house
and land. See Figure 1-22.
Art Deco
The Art Deco style emerged in the 1920s. Art
Deco united smooth surfaces, geometric shapes,
and projections with strong vertical or horizontal
lines to emphasize architectural features. Buildings
were often decorated with stylized motifs that
included geometric designs, glass block, and
bright accent colors that accentuated the archi-
tecture, as shown in Figure 1-23. The style was
mainly used for commercial buildings, but was
also used for houses and multifamily dwellings.
Art Moderne
Art Moderne, which had its roots in the
Bauhaus movement in Germany, became a dom-
inant architectural style around 1930. Houses
built in this style were asymmetrical with
smooth surfaces, often with curved corners, and
a fl at roof. Art Moderne houses shared features
such as curved glass-block windows or wall
Green Architecture
Green Design
As environmental issues become mainstream
topics, people are becoming more environmentally
conscious. Many architects and designers are
incorporating green design and sustainability into
their work. In architecture, the goal of green design
is to create buildings that conserve resources
while being “environmentally friendly” (having
little impact on the environment). Sustainability
is the ability to last a long time without having a
negative impact on the environment and future
generations of people. Regardless of style, any
new home can have a green design.
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Figure 1-22. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is an
example of the Prairie style. Notice how well it fits into
the natural setting.
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Figure 1-23. The Art Deco style emphasized geometric
designs that were often accented with bright colors.
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