1920's Architecture

1920's Residential Housing and Commercial Buildings

1920's architecture was characterised by improved standards in residential home building for the masses and also the proliferation of the skyscraper for commercial buildings.

1922 HOUSE There was a big push by politicians and leaders of industry to upgrade the standard of low cost housing and make homes more affordable. The twenties was part of the transition period between the 19th century style of housing and the type of homes we have today. New materials and building methods meant houses were easier to heat and cool, were more hygienic, and more suited to modern living.

This modern style of housing was exemplified in an architectural competition in 1921 for small homes where it was specified - "The requirements of the house provide for a home for an American family of good taste, small means, and no servants, desiring to make a charming home with (a) beauty of design obtained by harmony of line, color and proportion, and simplicity of treatment of the house and grounds, (b) the maximum of comfort in summer and winter, (c) the maximum of housekeeping facility and convenience for all phases of indoor and outdoor family home life, and (d) the minimum exterior and interior upkeep and operating expense, and (e) the minimum of cost consistent with a, b, c and d."

Reinforced concrete techniques were developed to the point that precast concrete panels were used in house and church construction as well as commercial buildings. In fact complete houses were built that resembled weatherboard houses in appearance. Reinforced concrete was also used extensively in bridge building.

A popular style of housing that began in the previous decade and carried over into the twenties was the Bungalow, often referred to worldwide as the California Bungalow.

Twenties homes are sought after today by renovators and restorers who want to update the beautiful character homes with modern fittings and furnishings.

The word skyscraper was originally a nautical term for a tall mast or sail on a sailing ship but today is used to refer to tall buildings, usually higher than 150 metres (500 feet). Most skyscrapers serve as office buildings or hotels.

Until the 19th century, buildings of over six stories were rare. It was impractical to have people walk up so many flights of stairs, and water pressure could only provide running water to about 50 feet (15 m).

The development of steel, reinforced concrete, and water pumps have made possible the construction of extremely tall buildings, some of which are well over 300 metres (987 ft) tall. The other development essential to practical skyscraper development was the invention of the elevator.

The skyscraper first emerged in the land-strapped areas of New York City, New York and Chicago, Illinois toward the end of the 19th century. Engineers of the 1920's considered that 2000 feet high was the maximum height that a skyscraper could be built.

The Empire State buiding which is one of the best known skyscrapers was commenced in 1930 and finished 18 months later in 1931. The Empire State Building's construction was hurried to completion, in order to take the title of "world's tallest building" from the Chrysler Building. It remained the tallest building in the world for many years, until the construction of the World Trade Center, and shortly afterwards the Sears Tower. The building's distinctive spire was originally designed to be a mast and depot for zeppelins. However, after a couple of brief attempts, the idea proved to be impractical and dangerous, due to the powerful updrafts caused by the size of the building itself.


Recent Uploads tagged skyscraper
Waikiki Beach

Adrian Hopkins posted a photo:

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.


Hong Kong - International Commerce Centre

cnmark posted a photo:

Hong Kong - International Commerce Centre

The International Commerce Centre is Hong Kong's tallest with 482m height. Still under constuction, but nearing completion (projected: 2010).

Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC; Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.

Info: The final design of this tower was made in 2001 after more than four design proposal changes. The original World's Tallest design (574m with a pyramidal top) was changed, and the new design is by KPF. This tower will form a "gateway" for Victoria Harbour with Two International Finance Centre (2IFC) at the opposite side of the harbour.
A 7-star hotel with 300 rooms will be located near the top portion of the tower on 13 floors. It will also include convention and conference facilities. The 7-star hotel will be the highest elevated hotel in the world, surpassing the Hyatt in Shanghai's Jin Mao Tower.
On Sunday, Sept. 13 2009, six workers died in a construction accident in this building when a construction platform inside a lift shaft collapsed: Yahoo News.

Shot from the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade. See where this picture was taken. [?]

© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.


street

Aris Gionis posted a photo:

street


Stop.

stevesteve8383 posted a photo:

Stop.


Flatiron building

Lsuza posted a photo:

Flatiron building


Flatiron building

Lsuza posted a photo:

Flatiron building


Flatiron building

Lsuza posted a photo:

Flatiron building


Flatiron building

Lsuza posted a photo:

Flatiron building


Chrysler building

Lsuza posted a photo:

Chrysler building


2009EGDR1028002

egdrossell posted a photo:

2009EGDR1028002


sunrise on Manhattan building

Lsuza posted a photo:

sunrise on Manhattan building


skyscraper

ludwig van standard lamp posted a photo:

skyscraper

at milton keynes. Yeh, its a corny shot.


New York 30

Wy@rt posted a photo:

New York 30

Saturation


Oblique Angles

Non Paratus posted a photo:

Oblique Angles

I've always liked the way this mirrored-glass building at Wilshire Boulevard and Grand Avenue reflects the lines of the One Wilshire building. This building houses mostly law and other professional offices. One Wilshire is one of the ubiquitous data centers dotted throughout downtown L.A.


Window cleaners

johnmcga posted a photo:

Window cleaners

I've acquired a good few photos of people cleaning windows on my travels, and was thinking of starting a Flickr group. There's probably one already (I haven't looked), but these are certainly some of the more daredevil ones I've seen. Check out how dirty the building is!


Curvy

johnmcga posted a photo:

Curvy

We spotted these buildings during our hunt for the ramshackle boat to the Summer Palace. After being directed down past the Beijing Exhibition Centre where they seemed to be preparing for a visit from Vladimir Putin, we spotted these distinctive buildings. I like them.


Chrysler Building - New York

david.bank posted a photo:

Chrysler Building - New York

Seen from the Empire State Building.


DSC_8735

agent orange2006 posted a photo:

DSC_8735

looking out from baiyoke sky hotel


Sears (Willis) Tower in Chicago

RobMan170 posted a photo:

Sears (Willis) Tower in Chicago

Notice the little boxes sticking out near the top. These are new observation boxes made of solid glass that stick out of the Skydeck observation level. You can enter these boxes and look straight down over 100 stories.


Pre dawn looking east at Tower 42.jpg

remove before flight posted a photo:

Pre dawn looking east at Tower 42.jpg

early am photoshoot from the rooftop of London's Tower 42, more to come...



Google
 


Copyright © 2005     1920-30.com     All Rights Reserved