Art Deco triangular balconies

Art Deco triangular balconies, building dating from the second part of the 1930s, Gara de Nord area, Bucharest (©Valentin Mandache)

There is something very Art Deco in the triangular shape of the small, Juliette type, balconies adorning this Bucharest apartment house. They resemble the chevron patterns so peculiar to the Art Deco style. I very much like the general proportions and stern aspect of the building with its essential stylistic features and character. I am, on the other hand, disappointed by the aggressive renovation performed recently by ignorant proprietors, which diminished the visual value of this edifice, such as the ugly new plastic frame double gazing windows that replaced the original Art Deco ones and a strident and unbalanced colour scheme. This is just one example of a phenomenon of epidemic proportions, perpetrated by a generally poorly educated and uninformed public in matters of architectural heritage, which has already altered or destroyed a large proportion of Bucharest’s beautiful old buildings.

***********************************************

I endeavor through this daily series of daily articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.

***********************************************

If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.

Tulip Theme Art Deco Balcony

An airy and well proportioned rectangular floral theme (tulips) Art Deco style balcony adorning a mid-1930s house in Cotroceni area, Bucharest. (©Valentin Mandache)

***********************************************

I endeavor through this daily series of images and small articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.

***********************************************

If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.

Florid Motif Art Deco Balcony

Florid motifs Art Deco style balcony, dating from mid-1930s, Gara de Nord area, Bucharest (©Valentin Mandache)

The exuberant florid motifs presented in the photograph above also dress the window and doorway openings of the Art Deco style house containing this interesting balcony. In addition to that, the floral decoration unfurls as a large, eye catching, frieze under the roof eaves. The overall effect is a very cheerful, exotic  appearance, where the main façade focus area is this balcony with its design that balances essential Art Deco – modernist outlines with rich florid decoration. It is a great pity that the current owner has replaced its original Art Deco balcony door with an ugly plastic frame double glazing structure. That shows the degree of ignorance and low quality cultural education among many of the Bucharest period house owners about the historical and architectural value of their property and the slow and inexorable damage suffered by the built heritage of Romania at the hand of its own, misguided, citizens.

***********************************************

I endeavor through this daily series of images and small articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.

***********************************************

If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.