The late 19th century to early 20th century international art movement, Art Nouveau, transformed architecture and designs. London's National Gallery of Art (NGA) labels it: "A new style for a new age." Art Nouveau is a new approach to architecture which developed in Europe and North America. It was introduced in order to "create an international style based on decoration." Led by young artists who sought to modernize the old, Art Nouveau became a combination of old customs, habits and artistic styles, and new contradictory images and ideas. It covered the introduction of new technologies and lifestyles while still addressing the past and the world of spirits, fantasy and myth.
Machine Age Architecture, also known as Art Moderne, was a response to what was becoming the modern age filled with machines and technology. During the Machine Age, artists incorporated modern styles through the use of modern technology rather than hand tools. What resulted, according to Ontario Architecture, was "streamlined." A simple design could be deemed "Moderne" through simple add-ons such as curved bays, chrome siding, Vitrolite, glass block or neon lighting, as compared to "Classic" designs which are plain.
Art Nouveau and Machine Age Architecture were made popular at the end of the 19th century through the beginning of the 20th century. This was the time when people were starting to make use of machines and modern technology. As the NGA puts it, Art Nouveau was "a response to the Industrial Revolution," and so was Machine Age Architecture. In Art Nouveau, artists used new materials such as cast iron, while others avoided the style of machine-made goods by using high standards of craftsmanship and design to make everyday objects unique. According to NGA, "Art Nouveau designers also believed that all the arts should work in harmony to create a 'total work of art.'" As for Modern Age Architecture, though hand tools were often set aside, artists tried to convey that machines do not have to rule in order for a piece of work to be unique. It can be concluded that both Art Nouveau and Machine Age Architecture incorporated similar philosophies.
Art Nouveau was an international movement which was aimed at removing barriers between fine arts and applied arts, and it was an architectural style. Machine Age architecture was simply a style of architecture affected by the era known as Machine Age. Art Nouveau therefore was major, it was known both in North America and in Europe, while Machine Age was mostly in the U.S., and it affected several art movements, such as modern art, Bauhaus style or Streamline Moderne.