Dallas Architectural Styles
Texas Modern and Eclectic Architecture
Great Architecture is a Cross Pollination of Ideas and Styles
Douglas Newby captures intertwining relationships of architects and architectural styles as they relate to the neighborhoods of Dallas. There has not been an attempt in this section to reference every style or document every architectural event with a parallel expression in another city. It is left to you to recognize and explore the many similarities in your past or present environment. It is my feeling that if you are in the United States you will look upon these Dallas homes with fondness and sentiment as they recall influences from your surroundings. If you are from outside the United States you can be confident the homes shown here reflect the style and approach and success of the architecture found across North America.
Featured Style Mid-Century Modern Estate Home
The same architect who brought international modernism to New York, designed the New York Museum of Modern Art and important buildings around the world, designed his most famous house in... See More
The richness of Dallas architecture comes from indigenous, regional, national, and international influences.
- Douglas Newby
Dallas Eclectic Architectural Styles
Before specialization, the best architects received the best commissions whether they were residential or commercial. As a result, some of the finest homes in Dallas were built in the first part of the twentieth century by architects known for their monumental commercial work.
Dallas Eclectic Architecture
Dallas architects, in the first half of the twentieth century, were influenced by a variety styles found across the country. Dallas architects were also influenced by European travels and studies... See More
Texas Modern Architectural Styles
David Williams best described the melding of modernism with the 1800s inspiration of the early pioneers that gives us Texas Modernism. He states in the 1931 April issue of Southwest Review,
There is not in any one of these homes built in the Southwest before 1850 an instance of imitation of foreign styles, of show, of striving for effect, of any use of unnatural, unnecessary ornament, or of material not structural and fit for its purpose. Their style is modern for it satisfies all the requirements of modern design and construction.
Texas Modern Architecture
Pioneer Texas homes are the inspiration for Texas Modern homes. Acknowledging the environment, employing artisans, and rejecting eclectic ornamentation resulted in this indigenous architecture. Texas Modern Architecture, Post-1950 The majority... See More
Dallas Modern Architectural Styles
The city was new with plenty of room for people and plenty of room for ideas. This is reflected in the modern architecture of Dallas. In the first half of the century, Dallas was being built, the architectural foundation laid, a sense of permanence desired.
Dallas Modern Architecture
As Art Deco swept the country in 1936, the Centennial Exhibition buildings at Fair Park were designed in this style. Several Art Moderne or Art Deco residences were designed at... See More
Articles on Dallas Architecture and Dallas Architects
Elements of Style
The architectural style and history of Dallas is best expressed and understood through its neighborhoods and individual houses, not its commercial or public monuments. Designed by an intertwining family of... See More
Dallas Modern: A Perspective on the Modern Movement in Dallas by Stephen Fox
Delivered at the Dallas Theater Center for Preservation Dallas' Fall Architecture Tour and Symposium, 11 October 2003 See More
Seventy-Five Years of Texas Modernism in Dallas
One of the most compelling groups of houses to emerge from recent nominations for Dallas, 50 Significant Homes, was the Texas Modernist dwellings built over the last seventy-five years. Europe... See More
Dallas, America’s Twentieth Century City
Dallas has the most significant collection of twentieth century architecturally significant homes in the world with architectural styles and movements represented from every decade. Dallas more than any other city... See More
Dallas Architecture: Dallas Eclectic Style
Architectural styles of Dallas in the first half of the twentieth century reflected the eclectic styles that swept the country. San Francisco and Dallas are the same age cities and... See More
Dallas Architecture: Texas Modern Style
Regionalism is usually rooted in centuries of influence and historical precedence. In Dallas, regional or indigenous architecture was pursued simultaneously with the explosion of modern architecture in Europe. The free... See More
Dallas Architecture: Dallas Modern Style
The city was new with plenty of room for people and plenty of room for ideas. This is reflected in the modern architecture of Dallas. In the first half of... See More
My family and I recently spent almost three months in Dallas…Loved the people and the amazing architecture. Not looking to make a move from SC (Greenville) right now, BUT…maybe at some point down the road. Glad I discovered your wonderful site (and insight)!
-Jim Simkins