Moderne

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

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

Details

Character Defining Elements

Balustrade, Black granite structure, Brick structure, Cantilever projections, Coping, Corner windows, Cornice, Decorative brick, Decorative insets, Dentil, Flat roof, Flush eaves, Glass block, Hand-carvings, Irregular footprint, Keystone, Marquee sign, Multi block windows, Nailed frame structure, One storey, Parapet, Pebble dash stucco cladding, Pendant, Pilaster, Polished stone, Porch, Portico, Rectangular footprint, Rusticated stone, Speedlines, Square footprint, Stainless steel doors, Stepped parapet, Stone structure, Stucco cladding, Three storeys or more, Two storeys, Tyndall limestone structure