History of Architecture

What is History of Architecture?

Why do we study History of Architecture?
 Why do we study History of Architecture?

 Fear
Basis for Birth of Architecture:  Love
 Death
 Hope
 History of Architecture Classifications:
History of architecture classified in the following based on the
period/era an over view.

 Prehistoric architecture:

 Pre-classical architecture:

 Medieval architecture:

 Modern architecture:
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE INTRODUCTION:

In history the past is often divided into periods of historical and cultural styles in to the
following such as:

•The Pre-Historic World (before 3000 BC)

•The Ancient World (3000 BC to AD 500)
•The Medieval World (AD 500 to AD 1500)
•The modern World (AD1500 to AD 2000)
The Geological factors:
Physical location of the region
Availability of different types of building materials

The Environmental factors:

Climatic features of the region
Seasonal rainfall, flooding, drought etc.

The Historical factors:

Political developments
Religious developments
Cultural developments

The Socio-Economical factors:

• Social structure of the region
•Economical conditions
•Trade and commerce
 CULTURE and CIVILIZATION:
1.Methods and practices for survival;
2.Political, economic, and social institutions;
3.Values and beliefs;
4.The different forms of Arts
The term Culture can also be used to refer to the creative, artistic, and intellectual
expressions of a civilization.

Civilization on the other hand, refers to:

 The way people live in a complex
• political, economic and social structure,
• usually in a urban setting;

 Usually after making certain technological and artistic advances and sharing a
refinement of thought, manners, and taste. Civilization is transmitted
primarily by writing.
Introduction of Mediaeval
Architecture
 EUROPEAN HISTORY

 Classical civilization of Antiquity

 Middle Ages
 Modern Period
Middle Ages
 For a millennium
 From the fall of the Western Roman Empire (5th century) to the
beginning of the Early Modern period (16th Century)
 Early Christian, Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, Gothic,
Renaissance…………………….
Introduction of Mediaeval Architecture

architecture popular in Mediaeval Europe

Ecclesiastical architecture (Religious)
 Latin cross plan (Roman basilica)
 Greek cross (Byzantine) “+ shaped”
Secular architecture – for defense
 Castles
• Fortified walls
• Cross shaped windows
• Crenellated walls
 Phases of Mediaeval Architecture

Pre-Romanesque (8-10th century)

First Romanesque (10th – beginning of 11th century)
Romanesque (11th &12th century)
Gothic (12th -16th century)
PRE-ROMANESQUE

• 8th -10th century

• Architecture in Germany of the
Carolingian (786-900) and Ottonian
periods
• Carolingian - classical Mediterranean
Roman art forms for the first time, also
creating innovative new forms such as
naturalistic figure line drawings that
would have lasting influence
PRE-ROMANESQUE

• Ottonian - German pre- • to establish visually a link to

Romanesque art the Christian rulers of Late
Antiquity, such as Constantine,
• 936-1056 Theoderich, and Justinian
• creating a period of heightened • monasteries received direct
cultural and artistic fervour sponsorship from emperors
• a reformed Church and bishops
The royal palace, later church, of Santa María del Naranco
Pre-Romanesque
Pre-Romanesque Church of
St Donatus in Zadar, from the
9th century
FIRST-ROMANESQUE

10th - beginning of 11th century

Lombard Romanesque
Buildings in Italy, Spain and
parts of France
Predate the influence of Cluny
FIRST-ROMANESQUE

• Rubble walls
• exterior - bands of ornamental blind arches (lombard bands)
• thick walls
• Smaller windows
• Unvaulted roofs
• lack of sculpture in facades
• interiors profusely painted with frescoes
FIRST-ROMANESQUE

Saint Egidio, Fontanella in

Lombardy, Italy
 ROMANESQUE

The
Ambulatory
and the
Absidiole

St Martin of Tours, Franc

The French Monastery in
Cluny
ROMANESQUE

11th and 12th centuries

first pan-European style
round or slightly pointed arches
barrel vaults
cruciform piers supporting vaults
Norman architecture - Romanesque
style in England
 GOTHIC
• 12-16th century
• Originated in the abbey church of Saint-Denis, Paris
• Verticality emphasised
• skeletal stone structures with great expanses of glass
• pointed arches using the ogive shape
 St. Patrick's Cathedral

Notre Dame de Paris

GOTHIC
 GOTHIC
• ribbed vaults
• clustered columns
• sharply pointed spires
• flying buttresses
• Windows with beautiful
stained glass (stories from the
Bible and from lives of saints)
• cathedrals to rise taller
Stain Glass
Buttress
Flying buttress
 Romanesque Architecture
(11 – 13th century)
This style was inspired by Roman architecture, continuing the
tradition of rounded arches and columns. Romanesque buildings were
monumental, supported by massive walls, and had very small
windows. Wooden roofs were replaced by ceilings (stropy), which
were constructed with barrel and cross vaulting (valená a křížová
klenba). The most representative buildings are the rotunda and
basilica. A good example of Romanesque architecture is the French
monastery in Cluny.
 Gothic Architecture
(12 – 15th century)

Gothic architecture began mainly in France, where architects were inspired

by Romanesque architecture and the pointed arches (lomené oblouky) of Spanish
Moorish architecture. It's easy to recognise Gothic buildings because of their arches,
ribbed vaulting (žebrová klenba), flying buttresses (opěrné pilíře), elaborate sculptures
(like gargoyles) and stained glass windows.
Gothic architecture was originally known as “French Style”. During the
period of Renaissance it fell out of fashion and it was not respected by many artists.
They marked it as “Gothic” to suggest it was the crude work of German barbarians
(Goths). Examples of Gothic architecture: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St.
Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
 St. Patrick's Cathedral

Notre Dame de Paris

 Renaissance Architecture
(15 – 17th century)

A return to classical ideas brought an “age of awakening” to Italy, France and

England. During the Renaissance, architects were inspired by the symmetrical and
well-balanced buildings of Greece and Rome. The buildings lost the Gothic vertical
dimension but gained range. Other typical features were columns, arches and domes as
well as harmonious arrangements of doors and windows. Characteristic building was
the palace. St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican and the Louvre in Paris are examples of
Renaissance architecture.
St. Peter's Basilica

Louvre
 Baroque Architecture
(17 – 19th century)

Elements of the Baroque architecture are complicated decorations, paintings

and contrasts between light and shadow. The final effect of this style is tension and
humility. Baroque looks different in different countries. In Italy, where it started, the
style is reflected in dramatic churches with irregular shapes, huge domes and
extravagant ornamentation. In France is highly decorated combined with classical
features. Sacred buildings and chateaux were typical for this style. Some examples of
Baroque architecture: Trevi Fountain in Rome, Palace of Versailles in Paris and St.
Paul's Cathedral in London.
 Trevi Fountain St. Paul's Cathedral

Palace of Versailles
end

• Please read books

• And be prepared for the class on Romanesque

Architecture

• Next week