Johannesburg architecture
Architecture in Johannesburg, like the city itself, is vibrant, alive and ever changing. The face of the Johannesburg central business district has changed fast and has been broken down often to make way for the newest  trend and the latest style of architecture. Starting as a mining shanty town followed by Victorian buildings soon after the proclamation of the town in 1886, it became a little New York with skyscrapers early in the 20th century, Art Deco buildings and Modernism buildings from the 1930's and 1940's. I wish to focus in this post on the Art Deco buildings of the CBD of the city.

The characteristics of  Art Deco buildings are clearly evident in Johannesburg buildings of the 1930's and 1940''s. Art Deco buildings have the following characteristics:

Cantilevered window shades (called eyebrows) are included in the structure of the buildings. Eyebrows look like “a shelf" placed above a window. Cantilevered window shades  block direct sunlight and keep interiors cool.

Ziggurat or Stepped Pediments are profiled like staircases - up down, up down. They are also known as "Zig-Zag" or "Lightning Bolt." Ziggurats are seen on the roofline of buildings recreating Egyptian motifs.

Rounded Corners are characteristic of Art Deco buildings. Technology now allowed for construction to be built with rounded corners. In the 1930’s and 1940's the design of aeroplanes, ships, trains and automobiles influenced architecture. Rounded corners made buildings appear aerodynamic, fast and sleek.

Flat roofs. Art Deco or streamline buildings usually have a flat roof or multi-level flat roofs.

Threes. In Art Deco everything seems to come in threes; three windows, or three bandings or three eyebrows, or three steps up, etc. This is probably due to the Egyptian influence of the pyramids.

Banding or racing stripes. Horizontal banding on the facades of buildings, which can be incised or applied in decorative materials such as tiles. Banding usually comes in groups of "threes". This simplified ornamentation reinforces aerodynamic concepts of streamline ‘moderne’.  A great way to accent the architectural elements of an Art Deco building is to paint the banding in a contrasting colour.

Columns. Many Art Deco buildings feature either whole columns, which stand away from the building or sliced columns attached to the front doorway facade acting as an archway.

Glass Blocks. Cool, translucent squares of glass are used instead of bricks, which allows for light penetration. Glass blocks easily create a ziggurat "step" design. Glass block has made a tremendous come-back in contemporary design.

Other elements include etched glass, relief, porthole windows, neon, terrazzo flooring, futuristic Images, central balance and geometric forms (Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches: art deco elements, 2013).

 

Three famous Art Deco buildings in the CBD of Johannesburg

Three famous Art Deco buildings are illustrated below. They are 44 Main Street, Anstey’s Building and His Majesty’s. Anstey’s Building is a good example of ziggurat, which is also found in 44 Main Street, though it is not shown in the illustration of the building. Both 44 Main Street and His Majesty’s have strong Ancient Egyptian decorative features, and both buildings have typically imposing Art Deco entrances. Note the columns, characteristic of Art Deco buildings, in the illustration of His Majesty’s. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44 Main Street

Addresss: 44 Main Street, Johannesburg

Architect: Burnet, Tait & Lorne

Date: 1937-39

 

Anstey's Building

Address: Jeppe Sstreet, Johannesburg

Architect: Emley & Williamson

Date: 1935-37

 

His Majesty's Building

Address: Commissioner Street, Johannesburg

Architect: J.C. Cook & Cowin

Date: 1937-42

Link to Johannesburg Art Deco:
home.intekom.com/parktown/artdeco

Above images available: http//www.bing.com/images/search?q=art+deco=Buildings’ [2013, October 13]