ART DECO IN MUMBAI

Architect Srishti Dokras

Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

Maharashtra state in India is known for its caves and rock cut architecture. It is said
that the varieties found in Maharashtra are wider than the caves and rock-cut
architecture found in the rock cut areas of Egypt, Assyria, Persia and Greece.
Buddhist monks first started these caves in the 2nd century BC, in search of serene
and peaceful environment for meditation, and they found these caves on the hillsides.
Buddhist and Hindu cave temples at Ellora and the Ajanta Caves contain fine artistic
design elements and India's oldest wall paintings can be seen here. Maharashtra's
famous rock-cut caves have several distinct artistic elements though sculptures of the
time are regarded to modern viewers as stiff and not dynamic. The Buddhist caves,
particularly the older ones, are either temples (Chaityas) or monasteries (Viharas). But
check out the architectural marvels that immigrated here in the early 1920’s.
The Art Deco in Mumbai, India style is a notable feature of the architecture of the
city. It was used primarily for office buildings, residences and movie theaters, during a
period when India was part of the British Empire. On 30 June 2018, an ensemble of
such buildings were officially recognized as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO
World Heritage committee held in Bahrain as the Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of
Mumbai.
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

Mumbai is believed to have the second-most Art Deco buildings in the world, after
Miami. However, Art Deco Miami is an architectural wonder and claims also to have
the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, and their preservation
has saved the South Beach skyline from becoming a canyon of condos. Amazingly,
these buildings were almost destroyed by developers in the early 1970s. Their survival
is due to a handful of activists who, in 1976, founded the Miami Design Preservation
League (MDPL). With their help, a number of the best Miami hotels, and even
some South Beach clubs, have maintained their beautiful façades and historical
designation. The principal architects of deco South Beach were New Yorkers Henry
Hohauser and L. Murray Dixon. The Celino Hotel, which was known as the Park
Central Hotel (630 Ocean Drive) until 2019 is one of Hohauser's best efforts, dating
back to 1937 and featuring bold vertical bands and window "eyebrows." In the early
1980s, this area was a bad crime spot, a natural setting for the gory violence in Brian
De Palma's movie Scarface, which was shot at 728 Ocean Drive, as well as much of
the action in hit crime show Miami Vice.
The Miami Beach Architectural District (also known as Old Miami Beach Historic
District and the more popular term Miami Art Deco District) is a U.S. historic
district (designated as such on May 14, 1979) located in the South
Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida. The area is well known as the district
where Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace lived, in a mansion on Ocean Drive. It is
bounded[2] by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Sixth Street to the south, Alton Road to
the west and the Collins Canal and Dade Boulevard to the north. It contains 960
historic buildings.

Art Deco is an umbrella term covering a range of styles such as “Streamline”,

“Tropical”, and “Med-deco” and built mostly between the Great Depression and the
early 1940s. Notably, the architectural movement reached Miami after the city’s real
estate market took a downturn in 1925, and the "Great Miami Hurricane" of 1926 that
left 25,000 people homeless throughout the greater Miami region.
The designs are often described as evoking technological modernity, resilience, and
optimism. The Miami Beach Art Deco Museum describes the Miami building boom as
coming mostly during the second phase of the architectural movement known
as Streamline Moderne, a style that was “buttressed by the belief that times would get
better, and was infused with the optimistic futurism extolled at American’s World
Fairs of the 1930s.”
In 1989, it was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by
the University of Florida Press.

History of Art Deco

Art Deco elements became noticeable in Paris in the early 1920s. But for architecture,
the first real signal of a new style came in Chicago in 1922. There, a Finnish architect
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

named Eliel Saarinen entered architectural drawings in a contest to design the new

headquarters building of the Chicago Tribune. He didn't win the contest, but his
design received a lot of publicity and inspired other architects to explore the new, bold
style.

In 1924, the architect who'd won the contest, Raymond Hood, designed the American
Radiator Building in New York City, the structure is usually regarded as the first Art
Deco building in the United States. Soon Art Deco became a popular choice in major
American cities, which at the time were experiencing a tremendous building boom.
Through the 1930s, Art Deco was used on structures that became landmarks. In New
York alone, famous skyscrapers like the Empire State Building (1931), the Chrysler
Building (1930), and Rockefeller Center (1935), are all examples of Art Deco
architecture.

While such American skyscrapers were the grandest structures of Art Deco, places in
Europe also reflected the style. Examples of Art Deco architecture can be found in
major urban centers like London, Berlin, and Lisbon, Portugal, as well as more
unexpected places like Kaunas, Lithuania.

Characteristics of Art Deco

Art Deco architecture is very striking and looks different from earlier styles. You'll
definitely notice it when you see it. Builders used new industrial materials like stucco,
concrete, and stainless steel. You can also find structures decorated with aluminum,
chrome, opaque plate glass, and glass block.

The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is the National body of Architects in the
country. Established in 1917, the institute today has more than 20,000 members and
plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture by organising and
uniting the Architects of India to promote aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency
of the profession both in Practice and in Education.

IIA is represented on various national and international committees connected with

architecture, art and the building industry and is also actively associated with
International Union of Architects (UIA) Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA)
and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation of Architects (SAARCH).

The Indian Institute of Architects, played a prominent role in propagating the Art Deco
movement. In November 1937, this institute organized the 'Ideal Home Exhibition'
held in the Town Hall in Mumbai which spanned over 12 days and attracted about one
hundred thousand visitors. As a result, it was declared a success by the 'Journal of
the Indian Institute of Architects'. The exhibits displayed the 'ideal', or better described
as the most 'modern' arrangements for various parts of the house, paying close detail
to avoid architectural blunders and present the most efficient and well-thought-out
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

models. The exhibition focused on various elements of a home ranging from furniture,
elements of interior decoration as well as radios and refrigerators using new and
scientifically relevant materials and methods. Guided by their desire to emulate the
west, the Indian architects were fascinated by the industrial modernity that Art Deco
offered. The western elites were the first to experiment with the technologically
advanced facets of Art Deco, and architects began the process of transformation by the
early 1930s.
Bombay's expanding port commerce in the 1930s resulted in the growth of educated
middle class population. It also saw an increase of people migrating to Bombay in
search of job opportunities. This led to the pressing need for new developments
through Land Reclamation Schemes and construction of new public and residential
buildings. Parallelly, the changing political climate in the country and the aspirational
quality of the Art Deco aesthetics led to a whole-hearted acceptance of the building
style in the city's development. Most of the buildings from this period can be seen
spread throughout the city neighbourhoods in areas such as Churchgate, Colaba,
Fort, Mohammed Ali Road, Cumbala Hill, Dadar, Matunga, Bandra and Chembur.

Eros Cinema (1938) New India Assurance Building (1936) at Churchgate

Regal Cinema Below

 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

Marine Drive

Streamlining and rounded corners

Rounded corners and streamlined designs influenced by the design of airplanes, ships,
trains, and automobiles in the early 20th century, made buildings appear
aerodynamic, fast, futuristic and sleek.This was done with the intention to make Art
Deco buildings appear modern and sophisticated.
Nautical features
Being a port city, Bombay was influenced by the era's new ocean liners: Bremen
(1929), Queen Mary (1936) and Queen Elizabeth (1940). As a result of this
enchantment with the luxury and grandeur that these ocean liners brought with them
buildings were manifested with nautical features such as porthole windows, ship
deck-style railings and observatory towers.
The frozen fountain
The motif of the frozen fountain, a historical symbol for eternal life was popularized by
the French Glass designer Rene Lalique. Some of his best-known works were seen in
his designs at the 1926 Paris exposition. This symbol soon became a prevalent feature
in building facades and metal grills on Art Deco buildings across Bombay.
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

While Art Deco buildings in Bombay were associated with futurism, as seen in their
streamlined and sleek facades, certain buildings also integrated themes of traditional
Indian mythology into their design. Depictions of toiling Indian farmers, Hindu gods
and goddesses and figures from Indian mythology were often incorporated into facade
reliefs.
Egyptian and classical Elements The discovery of the tomb of King Tutakhamun in
Egypt lead to a worldwide fascination with ancient Egyptian themes and symbols.
Sphinxes, hard edged geometry and hieroglyphic styles made their way into the Indian
urban Landscape. Influences of the features of traditional Greek and Roman temples
could also be seen in buildings across Bombay.
Tropical imagery
Influenced by the city's abundance of tropical vegetation, Bombay's Art deco buildings
are externally decorated with stylized forms of waves, sunburst rays, tropical flora and
fauna which can be seen in porch railings, facades, metal balcony grilles, ornamental
gates and porch railings.
Eyebrows
Eyebrows are projecting edges or "shelves" above a structures portico to shade from
direct sunlight and keep the interior cool. These also highlighted the rhythmic
horizontality of buildings.
Architectural lettering
Art Deco lettering on buildings took on the sleek and streamlined appeal of the
structure of these buildings. Typefaces consisted of a combination of straight lines and
segments of circles.
Ziggurats and zigzags
In the 1930s, the height of buildings in Bombay was limited by strict developmental
regulations over reclaimed land. In order to evoke allusions to the verticality of
skyscrapers whilst being restricted in their height, Art Deco architects used the
concept of stepping up and stepping back of roof lines, used to mimic a ziggurat (a
temple tower design adopted by Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians of ancient
Mesopotamia).
Materials: The Art Deco movement encouraged the replacement of materials such as
stone, brick and concrete with steel columns, beams and reinforced concrete. The
advent of Reinforced concrete in the early 1900s proved to be a boon in disguise
providing a changeover to high- rise buildings to accommodate increasing population
density in Bombay.
Notable Buildings: "In Malabar and Cumbala hills, attractive Art Deco homes were
built for the rich". Other parts of the city such as Fort, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Dadar,
and Mahim also witnessed the construction of office buildings, homes and apartment
buildings created to fit the style of Art Deco. Soon the construction of a forty foot wide
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

road and a ten-foot wide pavement on Marine Drive began. This was accompanied by
the construction of Art Deco apartment blocks looking out onto the Arabian Sea. The
street behind these apartment blocks was lined with modern buildings of steel and
concrete that were separated from the medieval Victorian structures by the Oval
Maidan. The centerpieces of the Art Deco glorification of modernity were the grand new
Cinema theatres: Regal, Eros and Metro. These were followed by the construction of
the New Empire and Liberty cinemas, after the Second World War.
The Architects: A majority of Art Deco buildings in Mumbai were built by a breed of
architects (mostly Indian) who were trained along the ideologies of modern
architecture of the time.[9] Other than their education, most of these architects were
also sponsored by their clients to travel to world cities such as London, Paris and New
York to experience and understand the architectural style (Art Deco) prevalent at the
time. Upon their return, these architects designed buildings that very skillfully
combined the design aesthetics of Art Deco with cultural context of India. These
buildings were thoughtfully designed keeping in mind the climatic conditions
prevalent in the Indian sub-continent. Climate responsive architecture and Bombay
Deco were born.
The oldest Art Deco precinct in the city lies along the western boundary of Oval
Maidan in Fort, Mumbai. Presence of administrative buildings, educational
institutions, research institutions and cultural spaces along with clusters of
residential buildings encourages the local (and global) population to engage with its
built heritage.
This has led to the creation of various citizen groups who actively participate in
safeguarding these built resources for the future generation like Urban Design
Research Institute, NAGAR The Oval Trust, Art Deco Mumbai and Nariman Point
Churchgate Citizens' Association, to name a few. One of the significant steps taken by
these groups and other professionals have been to petition to secure UNESCO World
Heritage Site status. This petition in the form of nomination was successfully adopted
during the 42nd Session of the World Heritage Committee and the site "Victorian
Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai" was inscribed as a World Heritage Site on
30 June 2018 in Manama, Bahrain.
Oval Maidan (the historic cricket grounds) attracts locals to play cricket on the
grounds during holidays and the weekend. Closeness to Marine Drive (one of the
largest open spaces in the city) also attracts many tourist and locals to enjoy the view
and breeze along the art deco promenade.
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

Cavalier_Hotel,_Miami_Beach,_Florida

The Art Deco buildings on Marine Drive, together with those on the blocks along the
nearby park Oval Maidan, were recognized last year by Unesco as part of a World
Heritage site, a distinction that is expected to help preserve and promote the
neighborhood. The tag was the result of a 10-year campaign led by heritage activists and
local resident groups, one that reflects a growing celebration of Mumbai’s Art Deco
architecture — even as it is vanishing under the wrecking ball. Mumbai has one of the
richest collections of Deco in the world.
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN

One Mr. Kumar, a resident of Marine Drive, set up the nonprofit Art Deco Mumbai in
2016 to raise awareness of these buildings on social media, as well as to document them
in an online repository. His team has listed more than 375 buildings, including
residences, palaces, hotels and cinemas, all built between 1930 and 1950. They estimate
the final count — including not just wealthy south Mumbai but the bazaars of
Mohammed Ali Road and middle-class neighborhoods like Shivaji Park, Matunga and
Bandra — will be around 600 buildings.
That means Mumbai has the world’s second-largest collection of Art Deco structures,
after Miami.

The main characteristics of Art Deco architecture are its sleek, linear, often

rectangular geometric forms, arranged and broken up by curved ornamental
elements. A series of set-backs creating a stepped outline help create the
monolithic appearance of typical of Art Deco façades.Something that will never
go away and always remain trendy.
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN
 ART DECO IN MUMBAI
Architect Srishti Dokras
Dr Uday Dokras PhD SWEDEN