The XXth Century architecture in paris

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Moreover, it is known for its great architectural unity resulting from the work of Baron Haussmann between 1850 and 1870. However, the French capital has witnessed architectural projects throughout the 20th century. So I decided to document all the Parisian architecture that corresponds to the 20th century period in order to highlight unusual and ambitious projects. You will thus find 7 major architectural trends that have marked the last century with original and unique buildings.

L'Art Nouveau (1895-1915) 
As the Haussmannian style was undergoing its final spurt, Art Nouveau made its appearance. Impressed by the Hôtel Tassel in Brussels, the french architect Hector Guimard was inspired to build the Castel Béranger in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. 
The construction of this building marked the launch of Art Nouveau in France. This new style of architecture, which frees architects from restrictive regulations, is distinguished by the these elements : omnipresence of curves on facades, numerous ornaments with precise lines and detailed decorations, decorations representing flowers, plants or animals and coloured materials. 

Immeuble Lavirotte (1900), 29 avenue Rapp 75007 PARIS

Immeuble Jassedé (1905), 142 avenue de Versailles 75016 PARIS

Immeuble Agar (1912), 8 rue Agar 75016 PARIS

Castel Béranger (1898), 14 rue Jean-de-La-Fontaine 75016 PARIS

Castel Béranger (1898), 14 rue Jean-de-La-Fontaine 75016 PARIS

Hôtel Mezzara (1911), 60 rue Jean-de-La-Fonatine 75016 PARIS

Immeuble Felix Potin (1906), 140 rue de Rennes 75006 PARIS

L'Art Déco (1920-1930)
At the end of the First World War, art nouveau began to be strongly criticized for its exuberance and was replaced by a more rigorous style : the art deco. 
This style embodies the return to a more classical and framed architecture with more rectilinear facades and and geometric decorations. The main characteristics of the ART DECO style are : facades in reinforced concrete, ashlar or brick, geometric decorations, disappearance of curves in favour of right angles, frequent presence of bow windows from the first floor upwards and  motifs in low relief or in ironwork representing baskets of flowers, fruits, garlands of flowers or spirals.

Studio Building (1932), 65 rue Jean-de-La-Fontaine 75016 PARIS

Immeuble à gradins (1914), 26 rue Vavin 75006 PARIS

Théâtre des Champs Elysées (1913), 15 avenue Montaigne 75008 PARIS

Immeuble Rue Gros (1928), 39 rue Gros 75016 PARIS

Théâtre des Champs Elysées (1913), 15 avenue Montaigne 75008 PARIS

Immeuble (1930), 17 rue Benjamin Franklin 75016 PARIS

Années 30 (1930-1939)
The Wall Street crack of 1929 will have direct repercussions on the French economy and the construction of buildings. So, architects sought to reduce the costs of construction costs by favouring the use of reinforced concrete. The facades were therefore simplified by removing ornaments and limiting the curves. One finds an aspect and logical aspect prevails over the aesthetic one. 
The main characteristics are the disappearance of ornaments, facades combining parallel planes and right angles. 

7 rue Méchain (1930), 7 rue Méchain 75014 PARIS

51 rue Raynouard (1928-1930), 75016 PARIS

Mobilier National  (1937), 1 rue Berbier du Mets 75013 PARIS

Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental (1937), 9 avenue d'Iéna 75016 PARIS

Social housing between the wars (1918-1939) 
After the 1st World War, a new type of construction was created to allow workers to be housed at affordable rents: the Habitation à Bon Marché (HBM). These dwellings became one of the major concern of the State from the 1920s onwards. Many buildings were then erected on the former fortifications of the city. These buildings were mainly made of brick because it was a cheaper material. These building can be recognised thanks to their unadorned facades in red bricks, building of 6 or 7 floors, construction in successive lots.

HBM boulevard de l'Hôpital (1922-1926), 137 boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 PARIS

HBM boulevard de l'Hôpital (1922-1926), 137 boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 PARIS

HBM Square Necker, 1 rue Tessier 75015 PARIS

HBM Square Necker, 1 rue Tessier 75015 PARIS

Trente Glorieuses (1946-1976)
During the Second World War, 450,000 buildings were damaged in France. In order to remedy this great shortage of housing, the State launched a huge reconstruction plan in 1952. In less than 20 years, France built more housing than it had done since 1870. 
It was at this time that the towers and bars were created. These large complexes to house the most people in the shortest possible time, thanks to industrialised construction processes. 
In the 60s and 70s, luxury buildings were also built with their stone facades, sometimes covered with marble, and their balconies with smoked acrylic with smoked acrylic sheets (altugas type). Inspired by the modern or international style.  

Résidence Paris XV (1971), 106-120 avenue Félix Faure 75015 PARIS

Résidence Paris XV (1971), 106-120 avenue Félix Faure 75015 PARIS

Immeuble Maine Montparnasse I (1966), 87-95 boulevard Pasteur 75015 PARIS

Immeuble Maine Montparnasse II (1966), rue du Commandant René-Mouchotte 75015 PARIS

Transition years (1976-1990)
The oil shocks of 1973 and 1977 mark the end of the 30 Glorious Years. Growth in developed countries slows down and unemployment appears. There was a revisiting of certain emblematic architectural styles (modernism, neo-Haussmannian or neo-classical) with touches of originality such as open forms, the use of bright colours or even undulating facades.

South Africa Embassy Building (1974), 59 quai d'Orsay 75007 PARIS

South Africa Embassy Building (1974), 59 quai d'Orsay 75007 PARIS

Ecole d'infirmières (1973), 95 Rue de Reuilly 75012 PARIS

Architecture from the 90's (1990-2000) 
There is a certain calmness in the style of the buildings during this period. The shapes became more moderate, the colours became more sober (preference was given to monochrome colours) and the concrete was combined with other materials (glass, wood, metal). More emphasis was placed on the shiny or transparent aspect of the facades to make people forget the massive nature of the modern buildings of the previous period. 
We find more curved and bevelled forms and facades with more refined lines. Creativity remains the order of the day, while retaining certain codes of the existing urban fabric: a mixture of horizontal and vertical lines, threaded balconies, interlocking and sometimes asymmetrical forms.

Immeuble (1997), 17 rue Vandrezanne 75013 PARIS

Immeuble (1997), 17 rue Vandrezanne 75013 PARIS

Logement des infirmières (1996), 124 rue de Vaugirard 75015 PARIS

Collège Jean-Francois Oeben (1995-2000), 21 rue de Reuilly 75012 PARIS

Collège Jean-Francois Oeben (1995-2000), 21 rue de Reuilly 75012 PARIS

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