Visual balance should be achieved in the building composition. A fundamental tool for achieving balance is the use of symmetry. The human perception of beauty is found to be influenced by the measure of symmetry within an individual composition. Psychologists ascribe this to the awareness that the body is symmetrical, so intuitively this principle is extended to other artistic efforts. Applied to buildings, this principle creates order within elements of a composition. Groups of elements are read visually by their rooflines. Under each roofline, a composition is formed which is visually enhanced when symmetry is achieved. Minor variations to a symmetrical condition, for example a door that is balanced by a window of the same proportion on the other side, can be absorbed while maintaining an overall sense of balance. The approved style of this facade belonged to Art Deco style. The Art Deco style is one of the easiest to identify since its sharp-edged looks and stylized geometrical decorative details are so distinctive. The development of this architectural style was an intentional break with past precedents to embody the ideas of the modern age. Some architectural historians refer to the Art Deco style as "Modernistic" leading to some confusion between Art Deco style buildings and Art Moderne style buildings, both of which can be described as Modernistic. Since the Art Deco and Art Moderne styles are distinctively different in appearance, each style is described separately in this field guide. Both styles were part of the Modern Movement in architecture in the early 20th century, a conscious break with past revival precedents in architecture.

.