Stucco, nearly always white, prevails in Moderne homes. Decoration sometimes appears as vertical fluting on doorways, paneling, and fireplace mantels. To match the horizontal divisions of the window panes, some horizontal painted wood strips contribute to the “streamlined” look of these homes. Textured obscure or reeded glass is used where light and privacy is needed.
From the Heritage House Tour 2016: "This unusual home is remarkable as the earliest known use of exposed concrete in residential architecture in Vancouver as well as one of the best examples of early Modern architecture in the city. "
Another one of the few remaining homes of the Moderne style, found in the South Cambie area, showcasing features of the 1930-1940 style. A flat roof, built in concrete, curving on its side with its large windows. Porthole-like windows are the few adornments present here as octagonal windows. In this home in specific we can see that a lot of the features of the Moderne style are recognizable by its boat-like looks.
From the Heritage House Tour 2016: "This unusual home is remarkable as the earliest known use of exposed concrete in residential architecture in Vancouver as well as one of the best examples of early Modern architecture in the city. "
Another one of the few remaining homes of the Moderne style, found in the South Cambie area, showcasing features of the 1930-1940 style. A flat roof, built in concrete, curving on its side with its large windows. Porthole-like windows are the few adornments present here as octagonal windows. In this home in specific we can see that a lot of the features of the Moderne style are recognizable by its boat-like looks.
Click on the diagram or expand the term index to learn more about the features.
Side Lights
One or more vertically framed windows that flank a door, often divided into several lights.
Stucco
A material – sometimes called render, made of an aggregate (sand) and a binder (Portland cement, and water). It is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. Sometimes used on interior walls, and ceilings (called California plaster), it is mainly used on exteriors and can cover less visually appealing construction materials such as concrete, cinder block, or clay brick.
Wrap-around Window
A series of windows that wrap around the corner of a house in a continuous module. A common feature on Moderne houses.
Form
Moderne is a rare style with a flat roof and very shallow or no eaves. Its undecorated concrete or smooth stucco walls sometimes curve around corners, with horizontal banding and balcony railings to simulate streamlining. It has multi-paned fixed or casement windows that meet or wrap around at corners and octagonal or round feature windows (like portholes). Moderne houses often have substantial chimney blocks.
Background
Moderne homes were mostly built between 1920 and 1940. Smooth surfaces, curved corners, and horizontal lines dominated the Moderne look. The machine age and the earlier Art Deco movement inspired the style. Industrial designs for ships, airplanes and cars also influenced its development. Moderne was a rejection of the revival styles, a reaction against post-WWI traditionalism. It rejected ornamentation and traditional designs that characterized much of the interwar architecture. Instead, it embraced the technological age. Although Moderne is a rare style in Vancouver, the examples that remain are striking.
Details
- Flat roof
- Shallow or no eaves
- Horizontal emphasis (e.g. Horizontal grooves or lines in walls)
- Asymmetrical façade
- Smooth wall surface
- Usually stucco siding or concrete
- Steel balustrades
- Glass block windows and wrap-around windows
- Porthole windows and other nautical details