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Heavily updated as you can see, but this is still an interesting and substantial 1930s art deco house in Taunton, Somerset.
1. Geometric Design
- The overall structure of the house is defined by sharp, geometric shapes, typical of Art Deco architecture. The cubist forms are a hallmark of the style, with rectangular and square sections dominating the house’s façade.
- The building avoids the ornamentation of earlier architectural styles, instead focusing on clean, angular lines that emphasize symmetry.
2. Flat Rooflines
- A prominent feature of Art Deco homes is the flat or parapet roof, which is present here. Unlike the pitched roofs of more traditional houses, the flat roof lends a modernist feel, reinforcing the sense of the house as a sleek, forward-thinking structure.
3. Windows and Fenestration
- The large, multi-pane windows are characteristic of the period. Art Deco houses often featured steel-framed casement windows, allowing for expansive views and maximizing natural light.
- The arrangement of the windows, often in horizontal bands, emphasizes the horizontal lines of the house, another key feature of the Art Deco aesthetic.
4. Smooth, White Façade
- The exterior of the house is finished in smooth, white stucco or concrete, typical of the style. This minimalist surface treatment enhances the clean lines and geometric forms, creating a sleek, polished look.
- The contrast between the stark white façade and the black accents at the base further enhances the sharpness of the structure, which is typical of Art Deco’s focus on contrast and bold design choices.
5. Streamlined Forms
- Art Deco architecture often draws inspiration from the machine age, reflected in the streamlined shapes of vehicles and airplanes. This house has a streamlined, aerodynamic appearance, with rounded corners and smooth transitions between structural elements.
- The curved sections of the walls and windows, especially at the rear of the house where the conservatory meets the garden, add a sense of movement, creating a dynamic aesthetic.
6. Tower Element
- The presence of a vertical tower-like section is another feature that nods to the Art Deco style. This element not only adds visual interest but also highlights the building’s geometric focus, with a blend of vertical and horizontal planes working together to create balance.
7. Art Deco Gardens and Outdoor Space
- The outdoor area of the house also follows the design principles of the Art Deco era. The clean lines of the patio and the carefully landscaped garden mirror the structured formality of the house itself.
- Potted plants and planters along the patio area bring a sense of symmetry and order, key in Art Deco landscaping.
8. Minimal Ornamentation
- True to the Art Deco style, there is minimal decorative detailing on the façade. Instead, the design relies on the interplay of geometric forms, contrasts between light and shadow, and the sleekness of the materials used to create visual interest.
9. Modernism and Functionality
- Art Deco homes were not only about aesthetics but also about functionality and modern living. This house, with its large windows, spacious interiors (as suggested by the size of the structure), and connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, embodies the modernist ideals of the time.
