Why I love Art Deco Architecture
There’s something about Art Deco that just gets me every time. Maybe it’s the confidence or the curves, or maybe it’s the way it manages to feel both elegant and down to earth all at once. Whatever it is, it’s one of my favourite architectural styles (in complete contrast to the Brutalist style).
Art Deco burst onto the scene in the 1920s and 30s with bold lines, strong shapes, and just the right amount of glitz. Think symmetrical facades, sunburst patterns, curved corners, and those gorgeous geometric details that pop up in everything from door frames to tiles. There’s a sense of rhythm and movement in Deco buildings and that makes them fabulous!.
What I love most about the style is how it celebrates design. Every detail feels considered. The materials like chrome, terrazzo, and timber add warmth and texture, and there’s a cheeky kind of glamour that never slips into excess. It’s confident and beautifully balanced.
And while some styles come and go, Art Deco keeps showing up in ways that feel fresh. It knows how to play nicely with modern additions, but it never loses its sense of self. It’s like an old friend who always knows how to dress well.
If you’re in Sydney and want to see Deco at its finest, start with the Minerva Building in Potts Point. That sweeping facade is all drama and charm. The old picture theatres scattered across the suburbs, like the Ritz in Randwick, are also wonderful reminders of Deco’s heyday.
And if you’re walking through areas like Kingsford, Kogarah, or parts of the Inner West, keep an eye out for Deco details hiding in plain sight, like fanlights, balustrades, patterned brickwork. They’re little pieces of design joy.
If you want to find some of the gems in Sydney here are a few you could go and check out:
- The Minerva Building, Potts Point]
- The Ritz Cinema, Randwick
- The Grace Building, Sydney CBD
- The former Rural Bank Building, Martin Place
- The Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Springwood
- Apartment blocks in Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, and Kings Cross
- Kogarah Town Centre & surrounds
And if you want to really get into it you should look at Sydney Art Deco by Peter Sheridan – a fabulous book!
by Ruth Newman