The best contemporary Dutch domestic work varies between a version of traditional design, simplified and modernized, and a very modern architecture which is seen in its most characteristic form in the new housing schemes carried out in Amsterdam, Rot terdam and The Hague since 1918. In each case there is affinity with old work in the use of brick and tiles as materials, and in the painting of doors and shutters in gay colours. The new work depends for its effect on strong modelling of form, on the grouping of windows in long continuous lines, on simplicity in matters of decoration. Flat roofs are almost universal, windows are often placed on the angles of the facades and small details are some times given an eccentric turn in design which is not always pleas ing. Strength and vigour, however, and a sense of rhythm and breadth, mark the new work and overshadow defects of detail, as in the buildings of such architects as J. J. Oud, P. L. Kramer, M. de Klerk, D. Greiner, J. F. Staal, P. C. de Bazel and W. Dudok.
Belgian architects have turned, like those of Holland, towards the modern movement. There are some interesting examples of private houses in Brussels and elsewhere, tending towards cubism and a general severity of line. Amongst architects who are produc ing interesting domestic work are Victor Bourgeois, A. Francken, Huib Hoste and Alfred Nyst. Apartment houses reach a good standard in Belgium, and in Brussels are some new buildings which are very up to date in equipment and luxury, in some cases con taining baths, dance halls, cinemas, post office and shops, avail able to the tenants and the outside public.
Scandinavia and Finland.—In Norway, Sweden and Fin land, there exists an interesting tradition of an architecture of wood. This has developed to-day into a domestic architecture which ranges from houses which have something in common with Dutch and Swiss architecture of a similar category to a class of substantial and well designed work which reflects the i8th century tradition more than any other.
In Norway are some excellent private houses constructed of wood, with vertical boarding as a covering and roofs of tile, with, in their details, a rococo feeling recalling the English Jacobean (see JACOBEAN STYLE) ; and there is also some good and simple modern work in brick.
Norwegian architects, such as Harold Hals, T. Astrup and A. Arneberg, have not achieved the international reputation of their Swedish confreres, who have carried out domestic and housing work which owes much to the 18th century, and Denmark in particular, but which is nevertheless modern in spirit. Ragnar
Ostberg, Arvid Bjerke, Erik Lallerstedt and Ivar Tengbom are designers who have carried out houses of simple outline, fine pro portions and charming detail. Swedish work is less heavy than that of Central Europe, and its modern buildings are unmarred by eccentricity.
Finnish domestic work has felt, to its detriment, the influence of the German version of the Art Nouveau movement, which resulted in an outcrop of extravagant shapes and florid decora tions. In recent years, however, there has been a reaction towards a sterner architecture, and in Helsingf ors and Abo are some good designs in brick and stone which are inspired in form either by classic or Romanesque tradition, but which in detail still reflect traces of 19th century German influences. Eliel Saarinen, Lars Sonck and Armas Lindgren are designers who are helping to create a modern Finnish national style, characterized by strength, but also by a crudeness which may be partially attributed to the exten sive use of granite.
The most recent work of the younger school of Danish architects is tending towards a restraint and simplicity which approaches baldness, decoration being eschewed, with effect depending upon the interest of walls, roofs and openings. This work is always distinguished, but at times devoid of vitality. Paul Holsoe, Sven Risom, Paul Baumann, Aage Rafn and Kay Fisker are designers whose domestic work stands comparison with any in Europe.
Other Countries.—In domestic architecture the finest contri bution of Austria is towards the solution of the housing problem, for in Vienna have been erected many large blocks of flats for the working classes which are excellent alike in equipment and architectural style. Provision of light and air, numerous balconies, fine courtyards, gardens and children's playgrounds are features of these new dwellings, which externally are simply designed in large blocks, depending on white walls and well grouped windows for their chief effect. In the realm of private houses are some interest ing modern versions of the i8th century manner, by such designers as Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann, as also buildings, which owe much to Tyrolese tradition, by the architect Clemens Holzmeister.
Czechoslovakia is making interesting contributions to the mod em movement through such men as Jan Kotera and Josef Gocar, though some of the most recent domestic work is cubist in char acter and marked by eccentricity.