Historyof

ARCHITECTURE
 Prehistoric
Prehistoric builders moved earth and stone into geometric forms, creating our
earliest human-made formations. Archaeologists guess that prehistoric people
looked to the heavens to imitate the sun and the moon, using that circular shape
in their creations of earth mounds and monolithic henges.
 Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, powerful rulers constructed monumental pyramids, temples,
and shrines. Far from primitive, enormous structures such as the Pyramids of
Giza were feats of engineering capable of reaching great heights. Scholars have
delineated the periods of history in ancient Egypt.
 Mesopotamia
The main architecture revolved around the numerous temples that were built
during the period. The Mesopotamian temples were shaped like a pyramid and
had a large base with stairways receding downwards from the top.
Even though the shape of the temples varied according to local traditions, they
still maintained a rectangular CELLA which was known as a sacred chamber with
an access to what was popularly referred to as the statue of god.
 Classical
Classical architecture refers to the style and design of buildings in ancient Greece and
ancient Rome. Classical architecture shaped our approach to building in Western
colonies around the world. In his writings, Vitruvius introduced the Classical orders,
which defined column styles and entablature designs used in Classical architecture.
The earliest Classical orders were Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
 Byzantine
Eastern and Western traditions combined in the sacred buildings of the
Byzantine period. Buildings were designed with a central dome that eventually
rose to new heights by using engineering practices refined in the Middle East.
This era of architectural history was transitional and transformational.
 Romanesque
Romanesque architecture, architectural style current in Europe from about the
mid-11th century to the advent of Gothic architecture. A fusion of Roman,
Carolingian and Ottonian, Byzantine, and local Germanic traditions, it was a
product of the great expansion of monasticism in the 10th–11th century.
 Gothic
Early in the 12th century, new ways of building meant that cathedrals and other large buildings
could soar to new heights. Gothic architecture became characterized by the elements that
supported taller, more graceful architecture— innovations such as pointed arches, flying
buttresses, and ribbed vaulting. In addition, elaborate stained glass could take the place of walls
that no longer were used to support high ceilings. Gargoyles and other sculpting enabled
practical and decorative functions.
 Renaissance
In the early 15th century in Italy, which never truly adopted the Gothic style in
its entirety, the Renaissance introduced new ways of looking at reality, and most
of it was mediated through architecture. During the Renaissance era architects
and builders were inspired by the carefully proportioned buildings of ancient
Greece and Rome.
 Baroque
Early in the 1600s, an elaborate new architectural style lavished buildings. What became known
as Baroque was characterized by complex shapes, extravagant ornaments, opulent paintings, and
bold contrasts. The Baroque style promoted a more diversified, free approach to architectural
design, driven by playfulness rather than rationalism. It was typified by the fragmentary
ornamental elements (especially on the façade), plans that were not necessarily symmetrical, and
a general lack of correspondence between the interior and the exterior of a building.
 Rococo
Rococo art and architecture is characterized by elegant decorative designs with
scrolls, vines, shell-shapes, and delicate geometric patterns.
Rococo architects applied Baroque ideas with a lighter, more graceful touch. In
fact, some historians suggest that Rococo is simply a later phase of the Baroque
period.
 Neoclassicism
Symmetrical Neoclassical architecture reflected the intellectual awakening among the middle
and upper classes in Europe during the period historians often call the Enlightenment. Ornate
Baroque and Rococo styles fell out of favor as architects for a growing middle class reacted to
and rejected the opulence of the ruling class. French and American revolutions returned design
to Classical ideals—including equality and democracy—emblematic of the civilizations of
ancient Greece and Rome.
 Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau buildings often have asymmetrical shapes, arches, and decorative
Japanese-like surfaces with curved, plant-like designs and mosaics. The period is
often confused with Art Deco, which has an entirely different visual look and
philosophical origin. Art Nouveau style is inspired by the natural world,
characterized by sinuous, sculptural, organic shapes, arches, curving lines, and
sensual ornamentation.
 Beaux Arts
Also known as Beaux Arts Classicism, Academic Classicism, or Classical
Revival, Beaux Arts architecture is characterized by order, symmetry, formal
design, grandiosity, and elaborate ornamentation.
Combining classical Greek and Roman architecture with Renaissance ideas,
Beaux Arts architecture was a favored style for grand public buildings and
opulent mansions.
 Neo-Gothic
In the early 20th century, Gothic Revival ideas were applied to modern
skyscrapers, which are often called Neo-Gothic. Neo-Gothic skyscrapers
often have strong vertical lines and a sense of great height; arched and
pointed windows with decorative tracery; gargoyles and other medieval
carvings; and pinnacles.
 Art Deco
Art Deco architecture embraced both the machine age and ancient times. Zigzag
patterns and vertical lines create dramatic effect on jazz-age, Art Deco buildings.
Interestingly, many Art Deco motifs were inspired by the architecture of ancient Egypt.
Art Deco buildings have many of these features: cubic forms; ziggurat, terraced pyramid
shapes with each story smaller than the one below it; complex groupings of rectangles or
trapezoids; bands of color; zigzag designs like lightening bolts; strong sense of line; and
the illusion of pillars.
 Modernist Style
Modernism is not just another style—it presents a new way of thinking. Modernist
architecture emphasizes function. It attempts to provide for specific needs rather than
imitate nature. Modernist architecture generally has little or no ornamentation and is
prefabricated or has factory-made parts. The design emphasizes function and the man-
made construction materials are usually glass, metal, and concrete. Philosophically,
modern architects rebel against traditional styles.
 Postmodernism
Postmodern architecture is a 20th century movement that is characterized
by an often irreverent and eclectic mishmash of classic and modern styles to
create singular works of architecture that aspire to look like nothing that
has come before. Some of the world’s most controversial, provocative,
idiosyncratic, and memorable buildings have come out of the postmodern
architectural movement.