Different Styles Of Architecture...

It was only in the 20th century that most of the inventions occurred and have seen a remarkable transformation. Trends were made and forgotten when they are outdated and no wonder architecture has been duly affected with time, but time itself could not mar the timelessness of architecture. The different styles in architecture have been dictated by cultures and regions across the globe and apparently showcase the identity of the era. On a broader level, the styles can be categorized as:

PREHISTORIC TIMES

The prehistoric times only has seen the Egyptian civilization mark the beginning of the construction industry with the design of the Great Pyramids which still stand with pride and shine for their timelessness. The structure marked grandeur and simplicity with no ornamentation but exposed the advancement in both the art and engineering of that time.

CLASSICAL

Like the first memories of an infant, we architects remember the Greek & Roman architecture as the first architectural advancement and literally call a style of architecture. Right from entablatures to the column orders, our vocabulary has been composed of mainly the classical style of architecture.

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ROMANESQUE

This style of architecture spread across Europe with the churches becoming grander and making the architecture richer, we saw the evolution of semi-domes, arches ornamentation and other intricate details on the surface, for say the blind arches. Vaults found a new identity and so did the thick walls. Symmetrical plans had borrowed their characteristics from the predecessor-the Byzantine style.

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GOTHIC

The grand of Romanesque becomes grandeur and so does the intricate detailing. Keeping the plan untouched the facades of the buildings become more ornamented. We are introduced to terms like grotesque and ribbed vaults. The columns became slender and the arches became pointed(possibly inspired by the Islamic architecture).The style witnessed some daring changes in the art and engineering of the era.

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RENAISSANCE

Italy had never accepted the Gothic style of architecture completely.Undeniably gothic did not spread in Italy unlike other parts of Europe.Keeping the style of its predecessors with the revival of the Greek and Roman styles, a new in Italy the style took new ornamentals form in the walks of gothic style but denied to fall into the similarity zone.

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BAROQUE

Following the renaissance period came the Baroque art movement which also influenced the architecture and came to be known as Baroque architecture.The style of architecture reverberated the art.For example use of mirrors to meddle with the perspective, use of expansive lawns that stretch to horizons depicting infinity.This effect lay its imprints until the nineteenth century until neoclassicism took over.

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NEOCLASSICISM

The classical form had been rediscovered and came as a reaction to the rococo & Baroque style of architecture.Based on the principles of Vitruvius, the ornamentation of the previous genres had been ruled out and clean lines of the entablatures and columns adorned the elevations of the buildings.

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ART NOUVEAU

Literally meaning "NEW ART", surfaces this art style spread across the world influencing the architecture as well.AS the name indicates this style aimed to break the rigidity of all the genres and trying to strike a chord with something unconventional.The characteristic features of this style were of surface, use of colored glasses and intricate detailing.

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MODERNIST STYLES

The advancement of infrastructure post the second world war saw a humongous shift in the approach to the design.Elevations were merely the projections of plans and materials texture did the talking, becoming te face of elevations and building deign.The use of concrete, art lovingglass & steel shifted the focus on the function themed design where ornamentation became an alien word altogether.

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POSTMODERNISM

The Modernist style of architecture was too straight a line to be drawn by the art-loving architects of the late twentieth century.As a result the features of modern buildings got an artistic twist and the picture below will be able to describe what words cannot.

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