Guide to architectural styles (with examples). Architectural styles of different eras
Classification of architectural styles
style name
style characteristic
plan
image
Canonical
4 thousand BC.
332 AD
Superhuman dimensions, stability, strict symmetry, “quantitativeness”, geometric shapes, grandeur. The architecture perpetuated the deified power of the pharaoh and the belief in the afterlife.
(pyramids at Giza, ensemble of temples at Karnak)
Classical
8th century BC -
5th century AD
This style was developed in Antiquity: Greece, Rome. Light, slender architecture by Dr. Greece carries in its artistic system a different spirit of heroism and human significance. The main achievement of Greek architects was the creation of the order. Harmony, lightness, simplicity, proportionality to the human scale, practicality, rationalism, solemnity.
(Acropolis of Athens, Roman Coliseum)
Romanesque
11-12 centuries
Massiveness, heaviness, heaviness, serf character, basic means of expression- stele with narrow openings - cross-bathing system. Thick walls, narrow windows - loopholes in monasteries and castles. The main element of the composition isdonjon. Around it were located the rest of the buildings, made up of simple geometric shapes - cubes, prisms, cylinders.
(Cathedral ensemble in Pisa,Cathedral in Worms)
Gothic
13th - 14th centuries
The frame becomes the structural basis, and huge openings appear filled with stained glass windows. Arches and portals stretch out and take on a pointed shape. Lightness, delicacy, weightlessness, upward direction towards the sky, towards God.
(Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris, cathedral in Reims, V Cologne )
Ancient - Russian
9th - 17th centuries
Majestic simplicity, festivity, elegance, decorativeness, multi-headedness.
(Church of St. Sophia in Kyiv, Church of the Intercession on the Nerl,
Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir)
Renaissance
13th - 17th centuries
Symmetry, harmony, balance, geometric correctness of forms. Important achievement - creation new architectural form - floor.The windows are interpreted as the eyes of the building, the façade as the face of the building; those. the outside expresses the interior architectural space.
(Temple of Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Rucellai, Michelangelo Buonarroti. Dome of St. Peter's Cathedral. Rome )
Baroque
17th century
Bizarre, dynamic, restless, richly decorated, sculptural, creating parks, ensembles, buildings richly decorated with stucco, painting, sculpture.
(Ensemble of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Tsarskoye Selo Palace, Hermitage Museum, )
Classicism
17th - 19th centuries
"Classius" is an example. Style absolute monarchies, calm grandeur and noble simplicity, strict rhythm, symmetry, elegance, solemnity.severity of form, clarity of spatial design, geometricism of interiors, softness of colors and laconicism of external and interior decoration structures
(palace ensemble of Versailles , arrows Vasilyevsky Island, Kazan Cathedral)
Rococo
18 century
"Rocaille" - shell. Refinement, mannerism, luxury, whimsical decorativeness, shell-shaped ornament.characterized by a tendency towards asymmetry of compositions, fine detailing of form, a rich and balanced structure of decor in interiors, a combination of bright and pure tones of color with white and gold, a contrast between the severity of the external appearance of buildings and the delicacy of their interior decoration.( Oval Hall of the Soubise Hotel , palace interiors Winter Palace, Smolny Cathedral)
Empire style
18 century
The style of the empire of the Napoleonic era, dryness, academicism, severity, clarity of lines, cold grandeur.a combination of massive simple geometric shapes with military emblems. passion for the construction of various kinds of triumphal arches, memorial columns, obelisks. Porticoes become important elements of the decorative decoration of buildings. Bronze casting, painting of lampshades and alcoves are often used in interior decoration.
(Chalgrin. Arch of the Star in Paris , the main headquarters building in St. Petersburg, Leper and Gondoin. Vendôme Column in Paris.)
Modern
19th century
Asymmetry, softened streamlined shapes, curving lines of the ornament, external decorativeness.use of new technologies (metal, glass).Stair railings, light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, even door handles- everything was carefully designed in the same style
( (1906, architect. ), Victor OrtaHouse of Tassel (1983),Sytin's house, Mansion of S. Ryabushinsky. F. Shekhtel. Moscow.1902
Modern – late XIX - early XX centuries; are characterized various decorations houses, roundings, avoidance of regular geometric shapes. Use of large glass areas. Facing surfaces are made of decorative brick, porcelain stoneware, and in some cases - painting (in Moscow architecture -Yaroslavsky station, TSUM, Metropol hotel)
Modern
(constructivism,
organics,
retro)
20th century
Use of new building structures, new Construction Materials, abstraction of geometric shapes, aestheticization of structures.
Constructivism - construction environment, the possibilities of new technology, its logical, expedient designs, the aesthetic possibilities of materials such as metal, glass, wood. Constructivists sought to contrast ostentatious luxury with the simplicity and emphasized utilitarianism of new object forms, in which they saw the reification of democracy and new relationships between people. (Moscow Planetarium, architect. M. Barshcha, M. Sinyavsky; Eiffel Tower
G. Eiffel
France)
“organic architecture” - to assert the necessity and pleasantness for the human eye of flexible natural forms, the connection of architectural structures with the natural environment. (Opera House, Jörn Ustzon,
Australia, Sydney )
Retro style-spacious forms, verandas. The exterior decoration of the house is made of modern materials, but stylized as antique. There's a contrast here dark colors and light, broken roofs, valleys, dormer windows, spacious staircases.
"high-tech" ("high-tech") - maximum functionality. No decorative excesses. Active implementation latest technologies into the human environment. Sometimes demonstrative use of technical forms - brightly colored open pipes, air ducts, elements of engineering equipment, metal structures and other surroundings of the “age of technology”
The designs are characterized by: rigor and simplicity, straight lines, simple geometric shapes. The decor is calm. IN color scheme monotony prevails. Lots of metal and glass. Metal-glass multi-tiered galleries are popular(Rainbow Center in Niagara Falls, USA, 1978 )
Educational visual aids and course presentations
“History of Architecture” (disc, posters, slides)
Gothic is one of the most prominent styles of architecture, causing anyone to feel awkward and awe. Terrifyingly majestic structures amaze everyone who sees them.
Gothic architecture began to develop in the Middle Ages based on Romanesque architecture. Gothic buildings, which are mostly cathedrals and temples, are characterized by huge arches with a pointed top, façade decoration with various carved details, tall towers, narrow columns and, of course, beautiful stained glass windows.
The most famous monuments of Gothic architecture
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna is considered one of the most monumental buildings. Construction of the cathedral began in beginning of XII century, but a fire in 1258 destroyed the cathedral almost to the ground. It was only in 1511 that St. Stephen's Cathedral was completed thanks to the efforts of Anton Pilgram.
Lincoln Cathedral was rebuilt from a Norman cathedral. The construction of the cathedral took more than a hundred years; some parts of the cathedral still retain the features of the original building. After the earthquake of 1185, the cathedral was rebuilt.
The cathedral in Cologne was founded in 1248. The cathedral was built incredibly slowly, and in 1450 its construction was stopped altogether. Only in 1842 was it decided to resume construction, which was completed in 1880. It is worth noting that the cathedral can hardly be called completely finished; it is still being completed. This is largely due to an unusual legend. The architect of the Cologne Cathedral, realizing that he was unable to complete such a monumental structure, invited the devil to help. The devil agreed to help the architect, but when the cathedral is completed and the last stone falls into place, the end of the world will come. To avoid the threat being carried out, the cathedral is constantly being remodeled.
The first stone was laid in 1221, but the construction of the Gothic architectural monument was completed only in the 19th century. The cathedral is a mighty ship topped with stone lace.
The cathedral in Toledo is one of the largest in Europe. Built between 1226 and 1493, the cathedral became the center of the Catholic faith in Spain. This is largely why the cathedral has lost some of its features gothic style, but acquired many unusual elements from other architectural styles.
The Milan Cathedral is considered one of the most significant works of Gothic architecture. The first stone was laid in 1386, the construction of the cathedral was completed in the 19th century. It is interesting that the cathedral was built from the most valuable Kandolian marble, and not from the usual red brick.
Notre Dame Cathedral is considered one of the most famous monuments Gothic architecture, glorified by Hugo himself. Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 and ended in the middle of the 14th century. The cathedral houses one of the greatest relics of Christianity - the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. The cathedral was built with money from the king, bishops, ordinary citizens and even prostitutes, who promised that their gift would remain secret.
Reims Cathedral can easily be called the pinnacle of French Gothic architecture. The beautifully preserved cathedral proudly displays its original decoration and magnificent stained glass windows to visitors.
Construction gothic cathedral began in 1344 and ended in the 20th century. The first temple on the site of the cathedral was built back in 925; a small church was dedicated to St. Vitus.
Brief description of the main architectural styles
Architectural style can be defined as a set of basic features and characteristics of architecture of a certain time and place, manifested in the features of its functional, constructive and artistic aspects (purpose of buildings, building materials and structures, techniques of architectural composition).
It is customary to distinguish architectural styles of global significance:
Prehistoric architecture
· Antique architecture. VIII century BC e. - V century n. e.
· Roman style. X - XII centuries
· Gothic. XII - XV centuries
· Revival. Beginning XV - beginning XVII century
· Baroque. Con. XVI century - end. XVIII century
· Rococo. Beginning XVIII - con. XVIII century
· Classicism, incl. Palladianism, Empire style, neo-Greek. Ser. XVIII - XIX centuries
· Eclecticism. 1830s - 1890s
· Modern. 1890s - 1910s
· Modernism. Beginning 1900s - 1980s
· Constructivism. 1920s - early 1930s
· Postmodernism. From ser. XX century
· High tech. From the end 1970s
· Deconstructivism. From the end 1980s
In fact, there are practically no pure styles in architecture; they all exist simultaneously, complementing and enriching each other. Styles do not mechanically replace one another, they do not become obsolete, do not appear out of nowhere and do not disappear without a trace. In any architectural style there is something of the previous and future style. When attributing a building to a certain architectural style, we must understand that this is a conditional characteristic, since each work of architecture is unique and inimitable in its own way. In order to attribute a building to a specific style, we need to choose the main, in our opinion, feature. It is clear that such a classification will always be approximate and imprecise.
Antique (Greek) style is architecture ancient Rome and Greece. This style appeared on the lands of the Aegean Sea for so long that it was considered the progenitor and even in some way for such movements as Classicism, Neoclassicism, and Renaissance. Because the Romans were students of the Greeks, they immediately adopted the ancient style, supplementing it with their own elements (dome, arched order cell).
Roman style. X-XII centuries (in some countries XIII century) (with elements of Roman antique culture). Medieval Western European art of the time of complete dominance of feudal-religious ideology. the main role in the Romanesque style, the architecture was harsh, fortress-like: monastery complexes, churches, castles were located on elevated places, dominating the area. Churches were decorated with paintings and reliefs, in conventional, expressive forms, expressing the frightening power of the deities. The Romanesque era is characterized by nobility and austere beauty.
The Gothic style mainly manifested itself in the architecture of temples, cathedrals, churches, and monasteries. In contrast to the Romanesque style, with its round arches, massive walls and small windows, the Gothic style is characterized by pointed arches, narrow and tall towers and columns, a richly decorated facade with carved details (vimpergi, tympanums, archivolts) and multi-colored stained glass lancet windows . All style elements emphasize verticality. In Gothic architecture, there are 3 stages of development: early, mature (high Gothic) and late (flaming Gothic). The church of the Saint-Denis monastery, designed by Abbot Suger, is considered the first Gothic architectural structure. During its construction, many supports and internal walls were removed, and the church acquired a more graceful appearance compared to the Romanesque “fortresses of God.”
Renaissance (Renaissance). (French Renaissance), period in cultural and ideological development Western countries. And Central Europe(in Italy XIV-XVI centuries, in other countries the end of the XV-XVI centuries), transitional from medieval culture to the culture of new times. In architecture, secular buildings began to play a leading role - public buildings, palaces, city houses. Using the order division of walls, arched galleries, colonnades, vaults, domes, architects (Brunelleschi, Alberti, Bramante, Palladio in Italy, Lescaut, Delorme in France) gave their buildings majesty, clarity, harmony and proportionality to man. Particular importance in this direction is given to forms ancient architecture: symmetry, proportion, geometry and order of component parts, as clearly evidenced by surviving examples of Roman architecture. The complex proportions of medieval buildings are replaced by an orderly arrangement of columns, pilasters and lintels; asymmetrical outlines are replaced by a semicircle of an arch, a hemisphere of a dome, niches, and aedicules.
Baroque (Italian barocco - “vicious”, “loose”, “prone to excess”, port. perola barroca - “pearl of irregular shape” (literally “pearl with a defect”); - characteristics European culture XVII-XVIII centuries, the center of which was Italy. Baroque art is characterized by grandeur, pomp and dynamics, pathetic elation, intensity of feelings, a passion for spectacular spectacles, a combination of the illusory and the real, strong contrasts of scale and rhythm, materials and textures, light and shadow. Baroque palaces and churches, thanks to the luxurious, bizarre plasticity of the facades, the restless play of chiaroscuro, complex curvilinear plans and outlines, acquired picturesqueness and dynamism and seemed to blend into the surrounding space. The ceremonial interiors of Baroque buildings were decorated with multicolor sculpture, modeling, and carvings; mirrors and paintings illusorily expanded the space, and the painting of ceiling lamps created the illusion of open vaults. Baroque architecture (L. Bernini, F. Borromini in Italy, V.V. Rastrelli in Russia) is characterized by spatial scope, unity, and fluidity of complex, usually curvilinear forms. There are various national versions of baroque (for example, “Moscow”, “Naryshkin” baroque in Russia).
Ukrainian or Cossack Baroque - widespread in Left Bank and Dnieper Ukraine in XVII-XVIII centuries a variation of the Baroque style, which is characterized by a combination of decorative and plastic solutions of Western European Baroque and Renaissance with creative processing of the heritage of Orthodox temple architecture and Old Russian architecture.
Rococo (French Rococo, from rocaille - a decorative motif in the form of a shell), a style direction in European art 1st half of the 18th century. Rococo, associated with the crisis of absolutism, is characterized by a departure from life into the world of fantasy, theatrical play, mythical and pastoral plots, and erotic situations. Rococo art is dominated by a graceful, whimsical ornamental rhythm. The characteristic features of Rococo are sophistication, great decorative loading of interiors and compositions, graceful ornamental rhythm, great attention to mythology, erotic situations, and personal comfort.
Classicism (French classicisme, from Latin classicus - exemplary) - architectural style and aesthetic direction in European art late XVII - early XIX centuries The main feature The architecture of classicism was an appeal to the forms of ancient architecture as a standard of harmony, simplicity, rigor, logical clarity and monumentality. The architecture of classicism as a whole is characterized by regularity of layout and clarity volumetric shape. The basis of the architectural language of classicism was the order, in proportions and forms close to antiquity. Classicism is characterized by symmetrical axial compositions, restraint of decorative decoration, and a regular system of city planning.
Empire (from the French empire - “empire”) - the style of late (high) classicism in architecture and applied arts. Originated in France during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I; developed during the first three decades of the 19th century; was replaced by eclectic movements. The Empire style is a unique reflection of Roman classics combined with Egyptian motifs. Empire architecture is characterized by monumentality, geometric regularity of volumes and integrity ( triumphal arches, columns, palaces). The Empire style, through numerous attributes and symbols, affirmed the idea of imperial greatness. The creator of the St. Petersburg Empire style is considered to be the “Russian Italian” K. Rossi. Another prominent architect of the same style was V. Stasov.
Eclecticism (eclecticism) (from the Greek eklektikos - choosing), a mechanical combination of heterogeneous, often opposing principles, views, theories, artistic elements, etc.; in architecture and fine arts a combination of dissimilar stylistic elements or an arbitrary choice of stylistic design for buildings or artistic products, having a qualitatively different meaning and purpose.
Art Nouveau architecture is an architectural style that became widespread in Europe in the 1890s-1910s within the framework of artistic direction modern Modern architecture is distinguished by its rejection of straight lines and angles in favor of more natural, “natural” lines, and the use of new technologies (metal, glass). Like a number of other styles, modern architecture is also distinguished by the desire to create buildings that are both aesthetically beautiful and functional. Much attention was given not only appearance buildings, but also the interior, which was carefully worked out. All structural elements: stairs, doors, pillars, balconies were artistically processed. Modern architecture has a number of characteristic features, for example, the rejection of mandatory symmetrical forms. New forms appear in it, such as “shop windows,” that is, wide ones designed to act as shop windows. During this period, the type of residential apartment building finally takes shape. Multi-storey construction is being developed.
Constructivism, direction in contemporary art 1920s, which put forward the task of designing the material environment, surrounding a person. Constructivism sought to use new technology to create simple, logical, functionally justified forms, expedient designs ( architectural projects brothers A.A., V.A. and L.A. Vesninykh, M.Ya. Ginzburg, I.I. Leonidov).
Hi-tech (eng. hi-tech, from high technology - high technology) is a style in architecture and design that originated in the depths of postmodern architecture in the 1970s and found wide application in the 1980s. It is characterized by pragmatism, the idea of the architect as an elite professional, the provision of services by architecture, complex simplicity, sculptural form, hyperbole, manufacturability, structure and design as an ornament, anti-historicity, monumentality.
Deconstructivism - a direction in modern architecture, which took shape as an independent movement in the late 1980s in America and Europe and then spread in one form or another throughout the world.
Imagine that you went on a trip to another country. Without cultural program and tourist routes are indispensable, otherwise there is no point in going anywhere at all. You can, of course, lock yourself in a hotel for the duration of your vacation and have a great time, traditionally lying in bed.
If you prepare for your trip in advance and study the traditions of the country you are going to, then the foreign culture will become much clearer. How about learning how to distinguish between architectural styles and adding another checkmark to your self-education bucket list? In addition, you will be able to impress girls, and this will be much more effective than, for example, the ability to distinguish between types of beer with your eyes closed.
In general, architectural styles are quite confusing and complex topic for a beginner, and if you don’t want to study boring literature, we offer you a simplified guide to world architecture (professional architects forgive us).
1. Classicism
Classicism is a stronghold of symmetry, severity and straightness. If you see something similar, and even with long round columns, this is classicism.
2. Empire style
Empire style is when classicism decided to become pathetic to the point of impossibility, and even strives to be higher.
3. Stalin's Empire style
Of course, the leader of all nations - Comrade Stalin - lacked pathos and solemnity in the usual Empire style, and in order to show the power of the USSR in all its glory, this style was cubed. This is how the Stalinist Empire style appeared - an architectural style that frightens with its colossal size.
4. Baroque
Baroque is when a building looks like a pie with whipped cream, often decorated with gold, stone sculptures and ornate stucco that clearly says its “fi!” classicism. This architectural style spread throughout Europe, including being adopted by Russian architects.
5. Rococo
If it seemed to you that the building was designed by a woman, and there are a lot of all sorts of frills and bows covered in gold, this is Rococo.
6. Ultra-Baroque
If you look at a building and, due to the abundance of stucco moldings and sculptures, you no longer understand what is happening around you, then you can be sure that it is ultra-baroque. The main thing is not to lose consciousness when contemplating such beauty.
7. Russian Baroque
Russian Baroque is no longer a cake, it’s a real cake, painted to resemble Khokhloma.
8. Pseudo-Russian style
Pseudo-Russian style is when you tried to “make it look like antiquity”, but you overdid it and decorated everything too richly.
9. Neo-Gothic
Neo-Gothic is when you are afraid to cut yourself on a building just by looking at it. Thin long spiers, window openings and fear of injections.
10. Gothic
If you look at a building and there is less danger of cutting yourself, and it has a round window in the center or a stained glass window with towers on the sides, it is Gothic. On the stucco of such buildings in the architectural style they often like to torture all sorts of sinners and other asocial individuals.
11. Art Deco
Art Deco is when, when you look at a building, old American songs performed by Frank Sinatra start playing in your head, and imaginary cars from the 60s start driving through the streets.
12. Modernism
Everything is simple here. Modernism in architectural style is a house from the future, but built with notes of nostalgia for the past.
13. Modern
Modernism in architecture can be studied ancient history. There are a lot of small details and elaborate details, which together form a whole composition.
14. Constructivism
Constructivism in architectural style is when lovers of cylinders and other strict geometric shapes begin to build houses. They put up some kind of trapezoid or cylinder and cut windows in it.
15. Deconstructivism
If you look at a building and see that it has been completely broken, bent and wrinkled - this is deconstructivism. A real geometric hell for a perfectionist.
16. High-tech
High-tech architecture includes buildings with a lot of glass, concrete, everything is transparent, mirrored and glitters in the sun. Maximum geometricity, rigor and angularity.
17. Postmodernism
Postmodernism is when you look at a building, like Malevich’s “Black Square”, and don’t understand what the author wanted to say, how he was allowed to build it and why he wasn’t treated for drug addiction. However, such fancy forms also have their advantages.
Of course, professional architects may consider such a list of architectural styles blasphemous and generally be offended, but make allowances for those who are not so good at history and defining styles. After all, the car mechanic will also smile indulgently as he watches the architect try to determine which side to approach the crankshaft from.
The architectural style reflects common features in the design of building facades, plans, forms, structures. Architectural styles were formed under certain economic and social development society under the influence of religion, government structure, ideology, architectural traditions and national characteristics, climatic conditions, landscape. The emergence of a new type of architectural style has always been associated with technical progress, changes in ideology and geopolitical structures of society. Let us consider some types of architectural styles that served as the basis for various trends in architecture in different periods time.
Archaic architecture
Structures erected before the 5th century BC are usually classified as archaic architecture. Stylistically, the buildings of Mesopotamia and Assyria (states of Western Asia) are related to the buildings Ancient Egypt. They are united by simplicity, monumentality, geometric shapes, the desire for large sizes. There were also differences: Egyptian buildings are characterized by symmetry, while the architecture of Mesopotamia is characterized by asymmetry. The Egyptian temple consisted of a suite of rooms and was stretched horizontally; in the Mesopotamian temple, the rooms seem to be attached to each other randomly. In addition, one of the parts of the temple had a vertical orientation (ziggurat (sigguratu - peak) - temple tower, characteristic temples of the Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations).
Antique style
Antiquity, as a type of architectural style, refers to Ancient Greece. Greek buildings were built in the likeness of the “megaron” residential building of the Cretan-Mycenaean era. IN Greek temple the walls were made thick, massive, without windows, and there was a hole in the roof for light. The construction was based on a modular system, rhythm and symmetry.
Megaron - means “large hall” - a rectangular house with a hearth in the middle (beginning of 4 thousand BC)
The ancient architectural style became the basis for the development of the order system. There were directions in the order system: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. The Doric order appeared in the 6th century BC, it was distinguished by its severity and massiveness. The lighter and more elegant Ionic order appeared later and was popular in Asia Minor. The Corinthian order appeared in the 5th century. BC. Colonnades became a hallmark of this type of architectural style. The architectural style, the photo of which is located below, is defined as antique, Doric order.
The Romans, who conquered Greece, adopted the architectural style, enriched it with decoration and introduced an order system into the construction of not only temples, but also palaces.
Roman style
Type of architectural style of the 10th-12th centuries. - received its name “Romanesque” only in the 19th century. thanks to art critics. The structures were created as a structure from simple geometric shapes: cylinders, parallelepipeds, cubes. Castles, temples and monasteries with powerful stone walls with teeth. In the 12th century towers with loopholes and galleries appeared at castle-fortresses.
The main buildings of that era were the temple, the fortress and the castle. The buildings of this era were simple geometric figures: cubes, prisms, cylinders, during their construction vaulted structures were created, the vaults themselves were made cylindrical, cross-rib, cross. In the early Romanesque architectural style, walls were painted, and by the end of the 11th century. Three-dimensional stone reliefs appeared on the facades.
