A study on the Architecture of Art Deco in Latin America

• Project/Area Number: 15560556
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Architectural history/design
• Research Institution: Yokohama National University
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIDA Koichi Yokohama National University, Graduate School of Engineering, Professor, 大学院・工学研究院, 教授 (60111704)
• Project Period (FY): 2003 – 2005
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2005)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,300,000); Fiscal Year 2005: ¥500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000); Fiscal Year 2004: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000); Fiscal Year 2003: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000)
• Keywords: Architectural History and Theory / Modern Architecture / Art Deco / Latin America

Research Abstract

Field surveys were done from 2003 to 2005 in 6 cities, namely Mexico City, Santiago, San Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Miami. The knowledges acquired there are as in the following
1.The spread of Art Deco architecture to Latin America countries took place on the background of the movements seeking modernity and nationality which arose from the chance of 100 years independence anniversary of each country. Modernity as re-inforced concrete structure and decorativeness including Maya's traditional figurative elements of Art Deco architecture satisfied these two demands. Nationality was expressed in two ways. One is the way which attempts to set positively native traditional figurative elements as Maya's ones in the detail forms. The other is the way which tries to adopt decorative detail forms like Latin Baroque. The former way is found principally in Mexico City, and the latter is found principally in Santiago. In Rio de Janeiro, we can find two ways together.
2.The time of the flowering of Art Deco architecture in Latin America countries are relatively late. It is from 1930s, and it continues in 1940s downward. One of the reason may be found in the fact that Art Deco was introduced to Latin America partly through the United States. We can rarely find Art Deco buildings in San Paulo and Buenos Aires, because construction works in the two cities flourished before or after the 1920-30s.
3.The peak of construction activities in Miami Beach may be from 1933 to 1941. The times are ones when resort facilities were popularized quickly, and people demanded equipments which were modern and simple as well as rich and gay.
Art Deco style answered the demands and prevailed all over the streets of Miami Beach. It is very significant that the preservation activity of Art Deco building in Miami Beach is linked to the tide of reevaluation of Art Deco.

Research Products

• [Book] アール・デコの建築 (2005)
  • Author(s): 吉田 鋼市
  • Total Pages: 176
  • Publisher: 中央公論新社
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Book] Architecture of Art Deco (2005)
  • Author(s): Koichi YOSHIDA
  • Publisher: Chuokoronshinsha Publishing Co.
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より