Architecture

Another Historical Source

 Another Historical Source

◼ Buildings of all kinds have their own

stories: their planning, construction,
occupation, changing uses, site of events

◼ Buildings also are constructed in particular

styles unique to their times and location
but also with an eye to their functions
 Architectural Styles
◼ Buildings may go through many changes of use over time but their
architectural style is usually based on their original use (with later
modifications possible)

◼ Uses:
– Religious (e.g., churches, temples)
– Royalty & Nobility (e.g., palaces, castles)
– Public (e.g., parliament, hotel, theatre, museum)
– Domestic (e.g., townhouse, apartment)
– Commercial (e.g., market, department store, stoa, office tower)
– Industrial (e.g., factory, warehouse)
 Architectural Styles
◼ “Reading” architectural styles entails the
observation of details:

▪ Materials , Columns & Capitals, Arches, Roofs &

Gables, Vaults, Domes, Towers, Doors & Porches,
Windows, Stairways, Chimneys & Fireplaces,
Ornamentation

◼ By looking at these pieces and putting them

together you can identify the architectural style
within the context of location
 Architectural Styles

◼ Let’s learn about a few architectural styles

you’re likely to encounter during the study
of history and then see if you can identify
them from photographs.
 Romanesque (circa 800-1100)
◼ A medieval effort to capture the power of
the Roman Empire

◼ Characterized by a massive quality, thick

walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin or
semi-circular vaults, sometimes with large
towers and decorative arcading.

◼ Often have a dark quality

◼ Each building has clearly defined forms and

they are frequently of a very regular,
symmetrical plan (e.g., cruciform or Latin
cross floorplans) so that the overall
appearance is one of simplicity

◼ Identified all across Europe . Remarkably

consistent in style; Pre-cursor to the Gothic
style

◼ Used mostly in the building of castles and

especially churches
 Gothic (circa 1150-1500)
◼ Characterized by the pointed or ogival arch;
rectangular or trapezoidal vaults; flying
buttresses; vertical and height emphasis.

◼ Also characterized by the abundance of light

through windows; detailed ornamentation;
sense of majesty

◼ Identified all across Europe with some

regional variations. French, German and
Belgian styles emphasized height while
English Gothic emphasized expansive
horizontal lines as well. Islamic influences
can also be found.

◼ Follower of the Romanesque style and pre-

cursor to Renaissance architecture
 Renaissance (circa 1420-1650)
◼ Initially the Italian rejection of the
elaborate Gothic style

◼ Reincorporated orders & pediments, strong

horizontal entablatures, flat ceilings and
Greek or Roman motifs

◼ Very symmetrical

◼ Simpler style in Italy than elsewhere in

Europe. Less adherence to the rules beyond
Italy (e.g., England often combined Gothic
and Renaissance styles)
 Baroque (circa 1545-1650)
◼ A sub-group of Renaissance architecture
that adopted the humanist ideals of the
movement

◼ Renaissance architecture placed emphasis

on symmetry, proportion, geometry and the
regularity of parts as they are demonstrated
in the architecture of Classical antiquity
particularly Ancient Rome.

◼ Renaissance architecture included orderly

arrangements of columns, pilasters and
lintels, as well as the use of semicircular
arches, hemispherical domes, niches and
aedicules.

◼ The baroque style was directly related to the

Counter-Reformation in the Catholic Church.
It was theatrical is style demonstrating
intensity, drama, colour, light and shade,
sculpture and painting.
What style is it?
What style is it?
What style is it?
What style is it?
 Other Student Activities
◼ Have students:
▪ Research an architectural style and report on it
with examples (explore lesser known styles:
Indian, Chinese, Japanese, etc.)
▪ Identify important buildings and research
significant inhabitants or events throughout history
▪ Choose a local building are research its style and
history
▪ Identify the function of buildings and explain how
the form is appropriate
▪ Build replicas of buildings or towns they are
studying in history (use diverse materials)
 Architeacher

◼ Architectural Styles

◼ Architecture and Aesthetics (note links to Sensory, Formal, Technical and Expressive Elements)

◼ Recycling Buildings

◼ Maintaining the Unique Quality of a Community

◼ Community Planning: Understanding the Built

Environment