SF321: Architecture Timeline
These styles established the "language" of architecture—columns, arches, and symmetry—that we still see in government buildings today.
Neolithic: Stone circles like Stonehenge.
Ancient Greek & Roman: The birth of the Classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) and the use of the arch and dome.
As empires shifted, architecture became a way to express religious devotion and defensive strength.
Byzantine: Famous for massive domes and gold mosaics (e.g., Hagia Sophia).
Gothic: Known for "reaching toward heaven" with pointed arches, flying buttresses, and stained glass.
Norman/Romanesque: Thick walls, small windows, and sturdy castles.
The Renaissance brought back "logical" Greek and Roman styles, while other regions developed distinct, intricate aesthetics.
Renaissance & Palladian: Focus on perfect proportion and symmetry.
Baroque & Rococo: High drama, ornamentation, and "frilly" details.
Indo-Islamic: Beautiful fusions seen in structures like the Taj Mahal.
Architects began looking back at history, leading to various "Revival" styles, while the Industrial Revolution introduced steel and glass.
Neoclassical: Think of the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
Gothic Revival: Often used for universities and churches (and the UK Parliament).
Chicago School: The birth of the skyscraper using steel frames.
A massive shift occurred where "form follows function." Decor was stripped away in favor of efficiency and new materials.
Art Deco: Glamorous, geometric, and sleek (e.g., the Empire State Building).
Bauhaus & International Style: The "glass box" look—simple, clean, and universal.
Brutalism: Characterized by raw, heavy concrete.
With the help of computers, architects can now design shapes that were previously impossible to build.
Post-Modernism: A playful return to color and historical "quotes."
Deconstructivism: Buildings that look fragmented or "broken" (think Frank Gehry).
Parametricism & Neo-Futurism: Fluid, organic, and "alien" shapes like those designed by Zaha Hadid.