Conservation of the art deco neighborhood of South Kolkata:

Abstract

Art Deco architecture was extremely popular in the 1920s and the early 1930s. The 1925 Paris International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art marked the beginning of a modernist trend, which is what designers and historians refer to as "Art Deco." The stark proportions of Bauhaus architecture, the streamlined design of contemporary technology, and patterns and motifs from all around the world are all incorporated into Art Deco. Art Deco was the first truly contemporary style, embracing innovation and creating a simple yet elegant design. Mumbai was going through several ambitious changes; the city was moving away from the Gothic structures' powerful expressions and began to demand a more contemporary architectural language. Mumbai's Art Deco architecture is a significant component of the city's architecture. During the British Empire's reign in India, it was predominantly employed for office buildings, houses, and movie theatres. When the inhabitants from the north of the city migrated out and began settling in the southern outskirts, they demanded that contractors build residences in the 'Metro' style, modeled by the Art Deco Style Metro Cinema Hall in Kolkata. Buildings are being demolished in the current situation due to high real estate values and occupants' declining fortunes. As a result, the neighborhood's architectural individuality has been lost. Keywords: South Calcutta / Kolkata, Suburb, Heritage, Art Deco, Metro Pattern, Modern, Contractors, Loss of Heritage, Urban Conservation.