HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

• The Neolithic period, roughly 10,000 years ago, could be considered

the beginning of architecture, or it could just be the point in time
when people stopped living in caves and began designing their
homes.
• it is easy to think of architecture in terms of its visual attractiveness,
yet this desire to construct an architectural artefact was fueled by
more than just the need for beauty.
• Architecture has proven to be many things: comfortable, elegant,
modern, brutal, indexical, vernacular.
• Human actions were reflected in architecture, and this was made
clearer by the constant effort to preserve some of the constructed
history, while deciding to let the rest fade and ruin.

Timeline of Different Architectural Styles

PREHISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
• Prehistoric builders moved earth and stone into geometric forms,
creating our earliest human-made formations. Humans constructed
earthen mounds, stone circles, megaliths, and structures
• Göbekli Tepe in present day Turkey is a good example of
archaeological architecture. Before recorded history, humans
constructed earthen mounds, stone circles, megaliths, and
structures that often puzzle modern-day archaeologists.
• Many fine examples of well-preserved prehistoric architecture are
found in southern England. Stonehenge in Amesbury, United
Kingdom is a well-known example of the prehistoric stone circle.
Ancient Egyptian Architecture (3500 BCE to 900 AD )
• The Egyptians created the most impressive structures of the ancient
world. The period saw the construction of some of the prominent
pyramids with several noticeable architectural characteristics.
• Wood was not widely available in the arid Egyptian landscape.
Houses in ancient Egypt were made with blocks of sunbaked mud.
• Flooding of the Nile River and the ravages of time destroyed most of
these ancient homes. Much of what we know about ancient Egypt is
based on great temples and tombs, which were made with granite
and limestone and decorated with hieroglyphics, carvings, and
brightly colored frescoes.
• The ancient Egyptians didn’t use mortar, so the stones were carefully
cut to fit together.

Classical Architecture (850 AD TO 476 AD )

• 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.
• The identifiable features of classical aesthetic include symmetry,
proportion, rational order, the relationship of individual parts to the
whole and calm logic.

Classical Architecture (850 AD TO 476 AD )

• 700 to 323 BCE — Greek: The Doric column was first developed in
Greece and it was used for great temples, including the famous
 Parthenon in Athens. Simple Ionic columns were used for smaller
temples and building interiors.
• 323 to 146 BCE — Hellenistic: When Greece was at the height of its
power in Europe and Asia, the empire built elaborate temples and
secular buildings with Ionic and Corinthian columns.
• 44 BCE to 476 CE — Roman: The Romans borrowed heavily from the
earlier Greek and Hellenistic styles, but their buildings were more
highly ornamented. They used Corinthian and composite style
columns along with decorative brackets.
• The invention of concrete allowed the Romans to build arches,
vaults, and domes.
• Famous examples of Roman architecture include the Roman
Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome.

Early Christian Architecture (373 AD - 500 AD)

• The Early Christian architecture started in two prominent locations
centered at Rome and Constantinople.
• Columns and other architectural features and marbles from the
older buildings were worked into the design of new Basilican
churches of the Christians.
Architectural Characteristics:
• With Christianity widely accepted as a state religion in Rome it was
necessary for architecture to respond to the demands of the religion
for worship space.
• The requirements include:
1. A path for processional entry and exit of the clergy
 2. An altar area, where the clergy celebrate mass
3. A space for the segregation of the clergy from the congregation
during procession and communion
4. Burial space.

Romanesque Architecture (500 AD - 1200 AD)

• Similarities between Roman and Romanesque include round arches,
stone materials, and the basilica-style plan (used for secular
purposes by the Romans).
• Influences that led to the Romanesque style are far more complex –
Romanesque architecture also shows influences from gothic,
Carolingian, Byzantine and Islamic architecture.

Byzantine Architecture (A.D. 527 and 565)

• By the time Constantine became the Caesar of the Roman empire,
the Empire had split in half
• Byzantium, “New Rome”, was later renamed Constantinople and is
now called Istanbul.
Architectural Characteristics:
• Characterized especially by massive domes with square bases and
Architecture rounded arches and spires and extensive use of glass
mosaics.
• Early Byzantine architecture was built as a continuation of Roman
architecture.
 • Greek cross plan in church architecture – A cross with four equal
arms at right angles.

Gothic Architecture (1100 AD TO 1450 AD)

• Gothic architecture began mainly in France, where architects were
inspired by Romanesque architecture and the pointed arches of
Spanish Moorish architecture.
• It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by
Renaissance architecture.
• It’s easy to recognize Gothic buildings because of their arches, ribbed
vaulting, flying buttresses, elaborate sculptures (like gargoyles) and
stained glass windows. Gothic architecture was originally known as
“French Style”.

Renaissance Architecture (1400 AD TO 1600 AD)

• Originated in Italy and superseded the Gothic style over a period
generally defined as 1400 to 1600
• Features of Renaissance buildings include the use of the classical
orders and mathematically precise ratios of height and width
combined with a desire for symmetry, proportion, and harmony.

Baroque Architecture (1600 AD TO 1830 AD)

• The Baroque style is reflected in opulent and dramatic churches with
irregular shapes and extravagant ornamentation.
• In France, the highly ornamented Baroque style combines with
Classical restraint.
 • Russian aristocrats were impressed by Versailles in France, and
incorporated Baroque ideas in the building of St. Petersburg.

Rococo Architecture (1650 AD TO 1790 AD)

• During the last phase of the Baroque period, builders constructed
graceful white buildings with sweeping curves
• Rococo art and architecture is characterized by elegant decorative
designs with scrolls, vines, shell-shapes, and delicate geometric
patterns.
• Rococo perfectly reflected the decadent indolence and degeneracy
of the French Royal Court and High Society.
• Unlike other major architectural movements, like Romanesque,
Gothic or Baroque, Rococo was really concerned with interior
design.

American Colonial (1600 AD TO 1780 AD)

• Colonial architecture characteristics include: Symmetrical front and
rectangular shape.
• Two stories. A lean-to addition with a saltbox roof (basically where
the roof in the back of the house extends almost all the way down to
the ground- the shape of saltboxes in the time)

Art Nouveau (1890 AD TO 1940 AD)

• Known as the New Style in France, Art Nouveau was first expressed
in fabrics and graphic design.
 • The period is often confused with Art Deco, which has an entirely
different visual look and philosophical origin.

Neo-Gothic (1905 AD TO 1930 AD )

• In the early 20th century, medieval Gothic ideas were applied to
modern buildings, both private homes and the new type of
architecture called skyscrapers
• 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.
Modern Architecture
3 Major Characteristics
• Clean lines lacking ornament
• Emphasis on low, horizontal massing with horizontal planes and
broad roof overhangs
• Generous use of glass to allow natural light into open, flowing
floorplans
Common Features
• Emphasis on well-defined, rectangular forms
• Use of modern materials and systems like steel columns, exposed
concrete block, stained concrete floors, column-free spaces, and
radiant heating systems
• Innovative use of traditional materials like wood, brick, and stone in
simplified ways that showcase their natural features and are
installed in large smooth planes
 • A thoughtful relationship between the site and the building where
interior space is planned to best compliment the surrounding natural
environment

ASIAN ARCHITECTURE
• Most Asian architecture was influenced by ancient religions, with
influences from Hinduism and Buddhism becoming evident.
• Temples and worship sites incorporate or heavily focus on the
influences of nature, even being carved as tunnels out of
mountainsides.