Arts & Culture
The Development of the Skyscraper in Art Deco Architecture
Quick fact
The 1916 New York City zoning law required buildings to ‘set back’ as they rose, allowing sunlight to reach the streets—an unintended catalyst for the Art Deco skyscraper’s iconic stepped form.
Why this is interesting
You’ve seen the sleek, stepped silhouette of the Chrysler Building or the Empire State Building—but do you know why they look that way? The answer lies in a unique blend of art, technology, and even a law passed in 1916.
Read the full explanation
Understanding The Development of the Skyscraper in Art Deco Architecture
Art Deco emerged in the 1920s as a style celebrating modernity, speed, and luxury. When applied to skyscrapers, it transformed them from simple steel frames into sculptural landmarks. The key innovation was the ‘setback’ design: buildings had to taper as they gained height to comply with zoning laws. Architects like William Van Alen used this requirement creatively, covering the receding tiers with elaborate terra-cotta panels, sunbursts, chevrons, and other geometric motifs. The result was a tower that seemed to soar upward, its vertical lines emphasized by light and shadow. Materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and glass replaced heavy stone, making structures appear lighter and more futuristic. This style dominated skyscraper construction in the late 1920s and early 1930s, turning cities into glittering skylines.
A deeper explanation
The development of the Art Deco skyscraper was driven by three forces: technology, culture, and regulation. Advances in steel framing allowed buildings to rise beyond 20 stories, but they needed a distinctive identity to compete in a growing market. Art Deco provided that identity by rejecting historical revival styles (like Gothic or Renaissance) and embracing machine-age aesthetics. The 1916 zoning law forced architects to break up massive volumes into lighter, staggered forms—which perfectly suited the Art Deco love for vertical strips and sharp angles. The style also responded to the ‘cathedral of commerce’ idea: skyscrapers were meant to inspire awe and symbolize corporate power. Each building used ornate entrances, soaring lobbies, and crown-like tops (e.g., the Chrysler’s stainless steel spire) to stand out. Over time, as the Great Depression set in, Art Deco evolved into the more streamlined Streamline Moderne, emphasizing curves and horizontality. But the classic stepped skyscraper remains its most enduring legacy, teaching us that beauty can emerge from constraints—both legal and structural.