Interwar architecture and its confident lines
Launch library · evergreen read
Between the two world wars, a noticeably different architectural style took hold across parts of the city, favouring clean, geometric lines and a streamlined confidence that stood in deliberate contrast to the ornate excess of the earlier boom era. Designers working in this style often drew inspiration from ocean liners and aeroplanes, borrowing a sense of speed and modern optimism.
Apartment blocks, cinemas and commercial buildings from this period still stand out clearly against their older and newer neighbours, their curved corners and simple, bold detailing marking a distinct chapter in the city's evolving architectural story. Original fittings inside these buildings, where they survive, often reveal just how thoroughly the streamlined aesthetic extended beyond the facade alone.
Many of these buildings have aged remarkably well, their restrained style proving more adaptable to modern use than some of the more elaborate structures built either before or immediately after them. Heritage advocates increasingly campaign for this era's buildings specifically, aware how easily their understated style gets overlooked beside flashier neighbours.