Example 10: Empire State Building

Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates. Empire State Building. (1931). Architecture. New York City, New York. Empire State Building, https://www.esbnyc.com/about/architecture-design

The Empire State Building which is one of the tallest buildings in the world with 102 stories and a height of 1,454 feet was opened during the Art Deco period in 1931. From the outside, there is immense use of geometric forms from top to bottom with the top showcasing a 200-foot crowning spire that tops off the uniquely cube-like structure. Fitting the art deco time period, there are also various interior designs like starbursts and metallic ornaments from the floor to the ceiling as well as in the elevators. The colors and overall design are similar to the Chrysler Building as there are decorative materials and classy metallic and warm-toned colors, but there is a more modern simplistic flair to the Empire State Building with repeated empire state mural designs with gold stars, some sunbursts, and gear designs as one example. From looking at both interiors there seems to be more of an upscale feel to me. Moving on another key difference is that the top of the Empire State Building is more geometric and straight/hard-lined which is seen in the overall shape of the building and also the layout of the columned windows than the more decorative Chrysler Building which includes more diverse shapes and distinct patterns like the sunburst-roof/top of the building. I think this is yet another important architectural example of Art Deco as this building was also created at the time of the Chrysler yet their designs are uniquely different but still fit the Art Deco theme. It's interesting how different architects and designers can look at the style of Art Deco and come up with so many unique innovations and modern looks. Also, the building was featured in King Kong, released in 1933 during the time of Art Deco, which just adds to the building's unique character.