ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Art Deco architecture of New York City

Okay kiddo, do you know what buildings are? They are like really tall structures that people make to live in or work in. And did you know that in the past, people used to make buildings in different styles? One of those styles is called Art Deco.

Art Deco was a style of architecture that was popular in the 1920s and 1930s in New York City. It was all about making buildings look fancy and luxurious. The buildings had a lot of details and decorations that made them stand out.

One thing you might notice about Art Deco buildings is that they have really cool shapes and geometric designs. They might have a lot of straight lines or zigzags or other interesting patterns.

Another thing that makes Art Deco buildings special is the way they use materials. They often have shiny metal accents or colorful tiles that reflect the light and make the buildings look even more impressive.

If you ever visit New York City, you might see some Art Deco buildings. One famous example is the Chrysler Building, which has a really cool spire at the top that looks like it goes on forever. The Empire State Building is another one that's really tall and has a lot of Art Deco details.

Overall, Art Deco architecture is all about making buildings look fancy and decorative. They use interesting shapes and patterns and materials to make them stand out and look really cool.