Architecture styles

What is an architectural style?

An architecture style is a group of outside influences that affect a building's form, construction method, and materials. This allows the structure to be recognised and described historically and aesthetically.

The majority of architectural styles evolve over time as new opportunities and emerging styles are created by shifting trends in fashion, technology, religion, and belief systems.

Because of this, the majority of styles adhere to and can be categorised according to time.

A style may evolve and alter at any time, and it frequently coexists with a number of others both locally and internationally.

However, if the proper individual picks it up, it can travel from its origin to the other side of the planet and is not restricted to just one place or region.

This frequently leads to its growth and change into the new or modified style to adopt.

Architectural styles

Here, we list the major architectural movements that contributed to the development of the contemporary architectural movements in chronological order.

Prehistoric

Buildings first formed as early civilizations spread out throughout the globe, frequently independently, in response to needs for shelter, security, places of worship, gathering places, etc.

A very diverse architectural style that frequently combined stone hewn from nearby rocks and timber taken from local forests was created by utilising the materials, space, and abilities that were available.

Buildings first formed as early civilizations spread out throughout the globe, frequently independently, in response to needs for shelter, security, places of worship, gathering places, etc.

A very diverse architectural style that frequently combined stone hewn from nearby rocks and timber taken from local forests was created by utilising the materials, space, and abilities that were available.

Neolithic architecture – 10,000 to 2,000 BC

Neolithic "architecture" comprised monuments like the megaliths found in Europe and the Mediterranean as well as tombs, churches, and other significant constructions. These constructions varied greatly in their complexity. Mud brick, skins, textiles, wattle and daub, stone, and wood were all used as building materials.

This period also saw the construction of the Sweet Track in England, the oldest engineered road in the world.

Mesopotamia – 4500 to 2000 BC

Mesopotamia is the name given to the Tigris-Euphrates river system's ancient architecture, which includes a variety of diverse cultures.

Its achievements include the creation of intricate urban planning systems, courtyard houses, ziggurats, and stepped pyramids constructed as parts of temple complexes.

Ancient Egypt was not a single stable society, and as a result, there was constant upheaval and change, which gave rise to a wide range of architectural styles.

Great architectural structures were created by the Ancient Egyptians, the most famous of which being the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Due to Egypt's geographic position, structures and monuments were typically built utilising limestone and hardened mud bricks because there was a shortage of wood.

Many of the structures would be astronomically oriented and constructed by slaves.

Ancient Greek – 900 BC to 300 AD

The temples of the ancient Greeks, as well as their evolving civic and religious values, are what make their architecture most famous. a wide variety of public structures, from monuments to open-air theatres and public squares. A distinct evolution of architectural style through three specified orders—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—was included into architectural design, adopting more formalised decorative and structural elements.

Roman – 300 BC to 700 AD

With a similar focus on civic buildings, ancient Roman architecture absorbed some of the external language of classical Greek architecture but differed from Greek buildings, creating a separate architectural style.

It was well known for having a wide variety of famous structures, including temples, spas, villas, amphitheatres, palaces, and circuses.

 Roman architecture created crucial structural components like domes, vaulted ceilings, and arches that were often made of concrete and were both sturdy and expertly built.

 This paved the way for the creation of ground-breaking civil engineering projects including bridges, aqueducts, and roadways.