Streamline Moderne: From Architecture to Jewellery
The Streamline Moderne style established a sleek, curved aesthetic that continues to inspire everything from contemporary architecture to futuristic jewellery. Learn the key characteristics of this style. Discover the meaning of ‘streamlining’ and how this movement influenced unique design in all scales.
What is Streamline Moderne style?
Streamline Moderne style is a way of designing objects using streamlines (the flow of movement).
”Architecture, spaces, and design objects look as if they were shaped by wind or water. It celebrates smooth, aerodynamic forms and efficient spaces.”
Aiste, former architect at Zaha Hadid Architects
Streamline Moderne Characteristics
- Curved and rounded corners for more smooth circulation
- Long horizontal lines, volumes and openings
- Round windows typically found on ships
- Sleek materials: smooth concrete, chrome metal, glass, lacquered surfaces
What is Streamlining Design?
Imagine a small island of sand in the middle of a river. As water flows around it, the rough edges slowly get washed away. Over time, the island naturally becomes smoother and more rounded. When the shape changes, there is less resistance. Therefore the water can flow faster and more efficiently.
”Streamlining design works in a similar way. You analyze how movement flows around an object and then sculpt it accordingly to improve efficiency.”
Aiste, architect
Streamline Moderne vs Art Deco
Streamline Moderne is part of Art Deco style. It branched as a variation of it in late 1930’s.
How did it branch out of Art Deco?
Designer N. Bel Geddes was influenced by the science of aerodynamics. He believed that people are entering a new modern era and this should reflect in the environment. Bel Geddes took Art Deco style as a base, stripped away ornamentation. He kept only smooth forms that were functional or expressed movement and speed.
Dive deeper into Bel Geddes’ visionary ideas in his book ‘Horizons‘, which became the bible for new designers of future.
Streamline Moderne Architecture
Architects introduced cylindrical forms to emphasize circulation around buildings: especially entrance, parking and social spaces.
They promoted steel structures in concrete slabs. This allowed long horizontal windows, which let in more air and light.
Streamline Moderne House
Home spaces were balanced equally between men and women, reflecting a shift toward shared modern living.
Flat roofs allowed space for outdoor terraces.
Streamline Moderne Interiors
- Designers replaced sharp corners with rounded corners to create more efficient spaces.
- Dense horizontal lines and frames reflected the movement function in spaces.
- Common materials included silver metal, glass, lacquered surfaces, and linoleum. These materials helped to emphasize the elegant, futuristic aesthetics even more.
Streamline Moderne Design
The unique streamlining idea touched every scale of design. Let’s look into a few of them.
Streamline Moderne Jewellery
Raymond Templier was known as the “architect of the jewel” and drew inspiration from the machine age, focusing on smooth, geometric forms to express movement and speed.
For a contemporary take on streamlined design, explore designer jewellery by FLOA Design →
Streamline Moderne Furniture
Streamlined furniture had rounded forms so people could move around them more easily. Areas like armrests and drawer handles were also rounded for a smoother, more comfortable grip.
Streamlining Car
Discover Architectural Jewellery by Floa Design
Explore jewellery inspired by flow and movement. Designed by architect Aiste using the concept of streamlining. Find your heirloom from the future.
