The Story of

Architecture
Introduction
Architectural history is the discipline that records, studies and
interprets architecture. It studies its forms, purposes, and most
importantly its evolution.
 Building – A Basic need and a social act

⬗ Long ago, the Greeks gave the ancient

master builder the name (architekton), from
which the Romans derived the Latin name,
architectus.
⬗ Both words literally mean “master-
builder”—as denoting one responsible for
the design and construction of the built
environment.
⬗ Architecture was considered the “mother”
of the visual arts.
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 Unlike all other forms of art, the primary
aim of architecture was to fulfill the basic
human need for security. Buildings provided
protection from the weather and wild
animals. Thus it is almost impossible to
escape the evidence of building activity
wherever people lived.

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 Building – A Basic need and a social act
⬗ The beginnings of architecture can be traced back
to the days of the caveman. Prehistoric
architecture can be traced back to early man living
in caves and tents.

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 Spiritual and intellectual needs also have a
role to play when it comes to building. “the
four walls” and “roof” separate a human
being from his surrounding environment,
and in doing so, creates something of
individual human proportions.

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Not all buildings are prestigious affairs
aiming to impress with their size, volume,
style and decorative details. However, all
buildings reflect the spirit of their time.
It is no accident that religious buildings
have an important role to play in the history
of architecture. As history has shown,
religion fulfills what is possibly man’s most
important spiritual need.