HAD-468 Leisure in the Empire City: Modernity And the Interior Architecture of Entertainment

3 Credits

This course introduces students to the new decorative themes and modern interior design practices developed in the public spaces of entertainment that were born in large cities such as Paris, London, Berlin, and New York beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century. From cafes and cabarets to restaurants, movie palaces, dance halls, and amusement parts, the residents of large metropolitan areas liked to party. We will explore the architecture and interior design of nightlife spaces in parallel with the glamorous architecture and interior displays of museums, hotels, railroad cars, vacation homes, and large shopping centers. Using New York as our laboratory, we will meet on campus for half of our classes while spending the other half in the city.