2018

Comparison between Art Deco and Minimalism

Fc073 – Dave smithHesa Alrayes – t0085927

This essay is going to be a contrast between the Chrysler building and the Curtain house to

compare Art deco with Minimalism, the comparison will discuss the styles similarities and

differences by way of comparing the buildings structures, designs, architectural backgrounds,

colours and materials used. The first section of the essay will describe the buildings and the

similarities. The second section of the essay will discuss factual information while the final

section will contrast the buildings against each other to reach a conclusion on which style

tops the other.

Escritt (1997) wrote that Art deco is a style that with no set of rules that serves as a bench-

mark for interpretation, so ultimately the best route to Art Deco’s definition is through

example. Hence why choosing the Chrysler building to describe Art deco as it highlights the

paramount of its decorative style and innovation which came out in the twentieth century (see

Figure 1). With that being said there was a need to contrast the building with another style

that is clearly in its different from Art deco. Therefore, the clear choice was a style with much

more style restrictions and clear differences. Hence choosing Minimalism. 

Figure 1 the Chrysler building - New York, Completed in 1930 and designed by William Van Alen

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Meyer (2000) brought forward two definitions for minimalism the first is that the term

implies an excessive formal reduction in the object form an appealing simplicity where the

works design was pared down to minimum. The second is that the term implied an

insufficiency artistic effort. With either definition the fact remains with minimalism less is

more Wilkinson (2010) writes that architecture was condensed and minimalists wanted to

keep it simple. Minimalist architect’s aim is to achieve beauty with the minimum material

and efforts. Although mainly an art movement minimalism had produced attractive

structures, the research focus will be on contrasting the Curtain House (see Figure 2) as

minimalism example against the Chrysler building.

Figure 2 The Curtain house - Japan, Completed in 1997 and Designed by Architect Shigeru Ban

From the pictures It appears that the buildings styles are alike in their overall geometrical

lines and angles, where squares and triangles create the majority of the shapes. However, the

designs are distinctly dissimilar in their finish and utilisation of material and of the

geometrical shapes. As shown in (Figure 3 and 4)

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Figure 3 on the left the Chrysler building use of geometrical shapes Figure 4 on the right The Curtain House use of

geometrical shapes

The Chrysler building utilise the use of steel, metal and concrete which is highly visible and

employed very artistically to a complex visual look. The building seems to have a wider base

and the width of the building seems to decrease as it ascends, the building becomes narrower

through the slender main building with a spire at the top. The spire section of the building,

however is where most of the ornaments and decorations are located. (see Figure 5)

Figure 5 the slandering structure of the Chrysler building ascending high in the skyline of New York

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A series of levels, terminating at the top with the spire. While the top is decorated with

ornaments and motifs inspired by nature such as wings and American eagle heads which

deliberately eco the design of Chryslers cars ornaments. (Figure 6 and 7)

Figure 6 on the left Chrysler building Figure 7 to the right right – Chrysler building Ornaments

On the other hand, the Curtain House although geometrical in nature; the House is an open

floor plan house that is open to the outside world with no barriers that obstructing the view of

the outside (see Figure 8).

Figure 8 The Curtain house open floor looking to the outside world

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The house utilises contemporary materials and design in a modern take on traditional

Japanese styles. The building’s spacious deck areas are located to the east and south wings of

the 2nd living room with tent-like curtains placed on the outer facade between the 2nd and

3rd floors as show in (Figure 9).

It seems that the Interior atmosphere is maintained by opening and shutting the curtain walls

which looks supported on the ceiling of the floor shown in (Figure 10). 

Figure 10 showing how the the Curtain House looks with the curtains opened and closed.

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It is customary to mention some facts about the buildings we are contrasting since the

opening was purely descriptive to create perspective. According to Wilkinson (2012) the

Chrysler building was designed by a local New York Architect William Van Allen while the

Curtain house was designed by a Local Japanese Architect Shigeru Ban both which reflect

that both designs were done with extensive knowledge of the area where they were built. The

Chrysler building was completed in 1930 and the Curtain wall house was completed in 1997

a good 67 years’ gap comes between the two buildings. A gap that produced new building

techniques, materials, concepts and styles. This is demonstrated by the differences 

in the two buildings are designed and the impressions they leave when examining them. The

Chrysler buildings spacious design is iconic although the details can be overwhelming for the

ordinary examiner. In comparison, specially without the walls the Curtain house looks

confining and confusing despite the openness created by the lack of walls. The Chrysler

building top decorations and metal works gives the building a polished feel while the Curtain

house lack of decorations yield an unfinished feel to the building. The Chrysler building

quality build reflects safety while the house without walls openness creates a frightening

feeling. As there is no protection. However, opposite to everything that preceded this

sentence the Curtain house is superior to the Chrysler building when it comes to its colures

and a simple life which generate a calming effect as opposed to the overwhelming majestic

feel of the Chrysler building. Both buildings generated different opinions by visitors. In his

comment on the Chrysler building (Stravitz, 2009) wrote that the house represent simplicity

and the merger between the old and the new “Combining contemporary materials in new

interpretations of traditional Japanese styles.” This proves that both buildings are admired

and well accepted despite the differences in style and material use. The modern design was

key in the acceptance of the buildings by the public.

Although both styles are linked in the use of concrete and steel, they have massive structural

and architectural differences. According to Wilkinson (2012) the Chrysler building has a

rigid frame steel structure and as shown in (Figure 11).

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Figure 11 the steel frame of the Chrysler building at the top section of the image while the bottom shows the brick façade

While the façade is mainly bricks. The colour of the building is light grey. and has a tapered

roof covered with metal topped off with a spire (Figure 12).

Figure 12 the Top of the Chrysler building

In comparison, Caraven (2017) writes that the curtain house consists of steel and reinforced

concrete. The house has a very simple steel structure with a flat roof see (Figure 13).

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Figure 12 diagram showing the curtain house design and structure.

Slim slabs placed on four main pillars three of them are visible. The reason why the columns

are exposed is to give the sense of transparency that radiates the building and demonstrate the

architect’s minimalist, simple, and modern concept. This clearly demonstrate the differences

between the two styles. 

In conclusion, although Art deco made ornaments modern and according to Wilkinson (2010)

brought cosmetic deco and facades face-lift to Main Street America Art deco’s decoration

and overuse of material generates a very complex feeling something that Minimalism was

determined to face and overcome. According to Wilkinson (2010) minimalism is one of the

most familiar interior design styles, with its plain walls, uninterrupted surfaces with barrios,

ornaments or mouldings and clutter it is a calm simple style that works. Minimalism beats Art

deco with its colours and practicality. However, when it comes to elegance and majesty Art

deco takes the lead among the two architectural styles. Therefore, although both styles work

perfectly it is such a shame that Art deco is a style that is no longer in alive. With all its

motifs, decorations and eye capturing designs.

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Works CitedBayer, P. (1992). art deco architecture. London, UK: Thames and Hudson. 

Bayer, P. (1988). Art Deco Source Book. Oxford, UK: Phaidon Press Limited. 

Benton, C., Benton, T., & Wood, G. (2003). Art Deco 1910-1939. London, UK: V&A

Publications. 

Bertoni, F. (2004). Minimalist Architecture. Basel: Birkhauser. 

Escritt, S. (1997). Art Deco style. London, UK: Phaidon Press LTD. 

Hillier, B. (1968). Art deco. UK: studio vista limited. 

Marzona, D. (2006). minimal art. germany: taschen. 

Meyer, J. (2000). Minimalism. London, UK: Phaidon Press LTD. 

Russell, F. (1980). Art Deco. London, UK. 

Wilkinson, P. (2012). Great buildings. London: Dorling Kindersley.

Stravitz, D. (2009, 12 09). Retrieved 03 30, 2018, from

https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/answers-about-the-chrysler-building/

wikiarquitectura.com. (2018). Retrieved 03 30, 2018, from

https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/curtain-wall-house/

Wilkinson, P. (2010). 50 architecture ideas you really need to know. london: quercus

publishing plc.

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