Architectural
Period/ Styles
Timeline
Baroque Architecture - Baroque architecture is the building style of
the Baroque era, begun in late 16th-century Italy, that took the Roman
vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and
theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and
the absolutist state. It was characterized by new explorations of form, light
and shadow, and dramatic intensity.
Baroque architecture is characterized by sculptural, undulating surfaces,
ovals instead of circles, and exaggerated classically based forms.
Distinctive features of Baroque architecture can include:
• In churches, broader naves and sometimes given oval forms
• Fragmentary or deliberately incomplete architectural elements
• dramatic use of light; either strong light-and-shade contrasts
(chiaroscuro effects) as at the church of Weltenburg Abbey, or uniform
lighting by means of several windows (e.g. church of Weingarten Abbey)
Chiaroscuro ; (Italian for light-dark) in art is the use of strong contrasts
between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole
composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians
for the use of contrasts of light to achieve a sense of volume in modelling
three-dimensional objects and figures. Similar effects in cinema and
photography also are called chiaroscuro.
• opulent use of colour and ornaments (putti or figures made of wood (often
gilded), plaster or stucco, marble or faux finishing)
• large-scale ceiling frescoes
• an external façade often characterized by a dramatic central projection
• the interior is a shell for painting, sculpture and stucco (especially in the late
Baroque)
• illusory effects like trompe l'oeil (an art technique involving extremely
realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted
objects appear in three dimensions.) and quadratura and the blending
of painting and architecture
• Solomonic columns, cartouches, oval or elliptical spaces, etc.
Fontana di Trevi, Italy
Hall of Mirrors, Palais de Versailles
Rococo Arch. - Rococo architecture, as mentioned above, was a lighter,
more graceful, yet also more elaborate version of Baroque architecture, which
was ornate and austere. Whilst the styles were similar, there are some notable
differences between both Rococo and Baroque architecture, one of them being
symmetry, since Rococo emphasized the asymmetry of forms, whilst Baroque
was the opposite. The styles, despite both being richly decorated, also had
different themes; the Baroque, for instance, was more serious, placing an
emphasis on religion, and was often characterized by Christian themes (as a
matter of fact, the Baroque began in Rome as a response to the Protestant
Reformation); Rococo architecture was an 18th-century, more secular,
adaptation of the Baroque which was characterized by more light-hearted and
jocular themes. Other elements belonging to the architectural style of Rococo
include numerous curves and decorations, as well as the usage of pale colours.
The Rococo Basilica at Ottobeuren (Bavaria): architectural spaces flow together and swarm with life.
Amalienburg, in Munich, Germany
Saltbox house
Cape Cod House
French Colonial
Dutch Colonial
Cathedral of Vilnius
Gothic façade of the Parlement de Rouen in France
Ghent (Gent), Belgium
First Industrial Revolution
This period began in the 1830s and 1840s and was
dominated by the exploitation of coal and iron.
The Industrial Revolution transformed economies that had
been based on agriculture and handicrafts into economies
based on large-scale industry, mechanized manufacturing,
and the factory system. New machines, new power sources,
and new ways of organizing work made existing industries
more productive and efficient.
Among the most important inventions of the first Industrial
Revolution were the steam engine, spinning jenny, cotton gin, and
telegraph.
The spinning jenny is a multi-spindle spinning frame, and A cotton gin is a machine that
was one of the key developments in the industrialisation of separates cotton fibers from the
textile manufacturing during the early Industrial Revolution seeds of the cotton plant
Second Industrial Revolution
This period took place from the late 19th century into the early
20th century and was characterized by rapid scientific discovery,
standardization, and mass production.
The second Industrial Revolution brought the advent of the
internal combustion engine, controlled electricity, the lightbulb,
the telephone, the phonograph, radio, and television.
Steel is also often cited as the first of several new areas for
industrial mass-production that characterize the Second Industrial
Revolution beginning around 1850
Eclectic architecture - is a style that combines elements from different
artistic styles and periods to create a new, original work. It was a popular style
in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Eclectic architecture is characterized by: Incorporating traditional motifs and
styles, Using decorative aesthetics and ornaments, Including structural
features, and Creating something original by using historic styles.
While other design professionals (called “revivalists”) aimed to meticulously
imitate past styles, eclecticism differed, as there was a desire for designs to
be original.
It also integrated knowledge of the history of art with the science and technology
of the moment
The Aston Webb building at the University of
Birmingham (1900–12), UK, in a quasi-Byzantine style
Church of Sagrada Familia by
Antonio Gaudi (Gothic and Art
Nouveau)
Casa Batllo, Spain
Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, Barcelona (1906–1910), designed byAntoni Gaudi(1852-1926).
The Buenos Aires House of Culture
Congreso de la Nación Argentina
Teatro Colón, San Nicolás, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
The Estrugamou Building, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1 st World War (1914)
Lingotto Factory, Turin, Italy
Villa Figini, Mila, Italy
Expressionism - is a design style that emerged in the early 20th century
and is characterized by its unconventional use of forms, materials, and
construction techniques. The style aims to evoke emotional
experiences and blur the boundaries between art and architecture
The Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia is one of
the most iconic buildings in the world and one of the
most recognizable examples of Expressionist architecture
Einstein Tower in Potsdam near Berlin,
1919-22 (Erich Mendelsohn)
Bahá'í House of Worship, India
Auditorio de Tenerife, Canary Islands
Modernist architecture or Modernism - is a style of architecture that
originated in the early 20th century and is characterized by:
Form follows function: Modernist architecture emphasizes the idea that form
should follow function, as put forth by Louis Sullivan.
Open floor plans: Modernist buildings often have open floor plans.
Minimal ornamentation: Modernist buildings are typically free of
ornamentation.
Use of modern materials: Modernist buildings often use modern materials like
reinforced concrete, glass, and steel.
Abundance of glass: Modernist buildings often have lots of glass to let in natural
light.
Asymmetrical compositions: Modernist buildings often have asymmetrical
compositions.
Emphasis on volume: Modernist buildings often emphasize volume.
Solomom R. Guggenheim Museum, NY
Unite de Habitation, Marseilles, France
Villa Tugendhat, Czech Republic
villa in Södra Ängby, Sweden
Villa Müller by Adolf Loos in Prague-Střešovice, Czech
Republic.
Villa Savoye in Poissy, France
Villa des frères Martel in Paris by
French architect and designer
Robert Mallet-Stevens
Family house, modern architecture in the
Bauhaus style, Riedenberg, Frankfurt
Concrete building with glass fronts in the Bauhaus style
of Vanguarda Architects
Bauhaus architecture style downtown Tel aviv Israel
Art Deco spire of the Chrysler Building
in New York City; designed by William
Van Alen; built 1928–30
Deco Buildings, Mexico City,
Google Search, Building
Design, Artdeco Elements, Art
Deco Architecture, Art Deco
Style
The Niagara Mohawk Building
(now home to National Grid)
was designed by Bley and
Lyman and completed in 1932.
It is a nationally-recognized
example of the Art Deco style
Streamline Moderne (also called Streamline Deco) - is a design
style that originated in the 1930s and is characterized by its
aerodynamic lines, horizontal lines, and sleek, modern look.
Streamline Moderne was inspired by the streamlined shapes of
ships, airplanes, and automobiles, and was a reaction to the
economic constraints of the Great Depression.
Coca Cola Factory, LA
First Church of Deliverance, Chicago, Illinois
2nd World War (1939)
AT Long Lines Building at 33 Thomas Street, NYC
Robarts Library in Toronto
Habitat 67
Singapore Power Building
Regionalism in architecture is a design philosophy that
considers the culture, climate, and local history of a
region to create structures that are responsive to the
needs of the people who live there. The goal is to create
buildings that are sustainable, functional, and
meaningful.
Santorini, Greece
Adobe houses, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico
Metabolism architecture - is a Japanese architectural movement that
combines the ideas of organic growth with architectural megastructures. The
movement originated in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and was inspired by
the need for flexible buildings in a crowded urban environment.
The core idea of metabolism architecture is to design buildings that can
adapt, evolve, and grow over time, similar to living organisms. This is
achieved by using modular and flexible structures, prefabricated units, and
adaptive reuse. The movement also embraces new technologies and resilient
design practices.
Marina City – illustrates the idea of capsules plugged
onto a central tower
Kurokawa’s Toshiba IHI Pavilion, Osaka Expo 1970
Nakagin Capsule Tower
Postmodern architecture - is a style of architecture that
emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a reaction to the austerity of
modernism.
Postmodern architecture is known for its irreverence, playfulness,
and complexity. It's characterized by a blend of classic and
modern styles, often with a unique, idiosyncratic look.
Postmodern buildings are also known for their asymmetry, local
nature, and originality.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain
Dolphin and Swans Hotel, Florida
Dancing House,
Prague
Monumental architecture or Monumentalism - is a style of building that's
large-scale, grand, and impressive, often built to demonstrate a civilization's
power and legacy. Some examples of monumental architecture include:
•Ancient monuments: The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Parthenon, the
Colosseum, Stonehenge, the Byzantine Hagia Sophia, etc.
•Modern monuments: The Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and the
Sydney Opera House
•Contemporary examples: The CCTV-Tower and the Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa, UAE CCTV Tower, China
The Third Industrial Revolution, also known as
Industrial Revolution 3.0, is a period of technological
advancements that began in the late 20th century and
continues today. It's characterized by the rise of digital
technology, automation, and the internet, and has
transformed many industries.
Materialism in architecture is a style that focuses on the use
of materials and their properties to create buildings. It's a
concept that's become more important in recent years due
to advances in digital fabrication and science
Aqua Tower,
Chicago
Weingut Gantenbein Winehouse, Switzerland
Hammer and Sickle Building
Zuev workers' club in Moscow (1928-1931)
Rusakov Workers' Club
Seattle Central Library by Rem Koolhaas and OMA
Hotel Porta Fira (left) in Barcelona, Spain, by Toyo Ito
City of Capitals in Moscow IBC, Russia
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry, in
Bilbao, Spain
Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry, Los Angeles,
California
Parametricism - is a contemporary architectural style that uses
computer algorithms and technology to create complex, dynamic
designs. It's characterized by:
Design process: Architects use algorithms and formulas to generate
designs, instead of manually adjusting each part.
Design criteria: Parametricism links architecture, urbanism, and
elements together as design criteria.
Aesthetic: Parametricism is known for its elegance, fluidity, and
seamless curvatures.
Goals: Parametricism aims to create architecture based on scientific
data.
Inspiration: Parametricism draws inspiration from nature, such as the
complex ecological systems of forests and coral reefs.
Museo Soumaya, Mexico City
The Oculus, New York
Blobitecture - is a post-modern architectural style that describes
buildings with curved and rounded shapes inspired by organic
forms and nature. The term was originally used as an insult to
describe the unusual shapes of buildings that appeared in the
mid-1990s. However, it is now embraced by post-modern
architects.
Selfridges Building: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Kunsthaus Graz: Graz, Austria
Sustainable architecture - is a design approach that aims to
minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings while also
improving the quality of life for the people who use them.
Sustainable architecture considers the entire lifecycle of a building,
from construction to operation, and uses environmentally friendly
materials and systems.
Some principles of sustainable architecture include:
▪ Using eco-friendly materials: Prioritizing recycled and recyclable
materials, and choosing locally sourced materials
▪ Minimizing waste: Reducing demolition, construction, and
unnecessary material consumption
▪ Using passive solar design: Incorporating materials with high
thermal mass and strong insulation to retain heat
▪ Using solar shading: Using awnings, blinds, or shutters to reduce
the need for artificial cooling
▪ Creating healthy interiors: Using low-VOC (volatile organic
compounds) paints and finishes to improve indoor air quality
▪ Creating comfortable spaces: Providing adequate space, privacy,
ventilation, and natural light
IVS School of Design
One Central Park, Sydney, Australia
