This talk by Dr Tanja Poppelreuter, lecturer in the History and Theory of Architecture at the University of Salford, Manchester brings to attention the multi-faceted architecture of the 1930s. There was no common architectural style and today the modern architecture of the time is described as Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, Modern, stripped Neo-Classicism, or Constructivism.

This architecture was by no means supported by all and traditional expressions such as ‘Wrenaissance’ or Neo-Georgian prevailed alongside modern ones. Many architects, who embraced modern building methods and aesthetic, started their careers as traditionalists and designed buildings in a range of stylistic expressions.

Belfast architects such as Anthony Lucy, John MacGeagh or the practice Young and Mackenzie would execute modern-style buildings as well as traditional ones. Philip Bell, John McBride Neill and RS Wilshere on the other hand embraced the new architecture and created a range of modern houses, cinemas, and schools that were designed to express the purpose and function of the buildings in a modern way.