In-Depth Notes on Architecture History

INTRODUCTION

  • History of Architecture: A record of man's efforts to build beautifully, tracing the origin, growth, and decline of architectural styles over lands and ages.

  • Historic Styles of Architecture: Features particular methods, characteristics, and designs that prevailed at specific times and locations.

  • Factors Affecting Architectural Styles:

    • History

    • Society

    • Religion

    • Geography

    • Geology

    • Climate

PRE-HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Neolithic or New Stone Age (8000 to 3000 B.C.), characterized by hunting and food gathering.

  • Religion: Lack of organized religion; burial rituals influenced architectural practices.

Architectural Character

  • Construction System: Focus on megalithic structures (large stone constructions).

  • Materials: Utilized animal skins, wooden frames, and bones.

  • Orientation: Structures oriented towards cardinal points.

Examples

  • Menhir: Large upright monolith, often arranged in rows.

  • Dolmens: Large stones topped with a covering slab.

  • Trilithon: Groups of three stones arranged with two vertical and one horizontal stone.

  • Cromlech: Circle of monoliths, with Stonehenge as a notable example.

  • Tumulus: Earth mounds over tombs or sepulchral chambers.

  • Primitive Dwellings: Includes various types of natural or artificial shelters such as igloos and tepees.

EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History (3200 B.C. to 1 A.D.): Centralized authority under pharaohs seen as divine rulers.

  • Religion: Polytheism and strong beliefs in the afterlife, emphasizing elaborate burial rituals.

  • Geography/Geology: Importance of the Nile River, providing fertile land and resources for construction.

  • Climate: Warm and arid conditions influenced the simplicity of designs.

Architectural Character

  • Description: Structures are monumental and immortal, including tombs, temples, and dwellings.

    • Types of Tomb Architecture: Mastabas, pyramids, rock-hewn tombs.

  • Construction System: Columnar and trabeated.

  • Columnation and Capitals: Various types including Lotus and Palm capitals.

  • Roof and Ceilings: Typically flat, to resist heat.

  • Walls: Massive, designed to limit sun exposure, with hieroglyphic inscriptions.

  • Openings: Minimal, mostly skylights or roof slits.

  • Decoration: Hieroglyphics and inspired motifs (sculptures, moldings).

  • Orientation: Aligned towards cardinal points.

Examples

  • Mastabas: Rectangular tomb structures, connected to subterranean chambers.

  • Pyramids: Major monumental tombs with square bases; types include stepped and bent pyramids.

  • Rock-Cut Tombs: Built into hillsides, for nobility.

  • Pylons: Monumental gateways to temples.

  • Obelisks: Tall stone shafts with inscriptions, often flanking temple entrances.

  • Temples: Mortuary temples and cult temples dedicated to gods.

NEAR EAST ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Spread from 5000 B.C. to 641 A.D., including Mesopotamian, Assyrian, and Persian periods.

  • Geography/Geology: Varied landscapes from deserts to mountains affecting construction types.

  • Religion: Nature worship influenced architecture.

  • Society: City-states governed by god-inspired kings influenced civic architecture.

Early Mesopotamian Architecture

  • Construction System: Arcuated systems, primarily using clay and earth.

  • Examples of Ziggurats: Rough pyramidal structures with layered stages leading to a temple at the top.

Assyrian Architecture

  • Materials: Use of stone and timber, decorative elements present.

  • Examples: Assyrian temples and palaces reflecting their societal structure.

Persian Architecture

  • Character: Incorporation of stone as a primary building material; use of ornate column designs.

  • Examples: Dwellings and grand palace platforms like Persepolis.

GREEK ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Developed through various periods from Aegean through Classical architecture.

  • Religion: Deeply intertwined with nature worship and civic duties.

  • Geography/Climate: Mountainous mainland influenced city-state development and trade routes.

Architectural Character

  • Description: Religious architecture dominated, characterized by a harmony of design and technique using classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian).

  • Construction System: Predominantly columnar, employing the entablature style.

  • Columniation and Capitals: Variations across orders, manipulating proportions for aesthetic appeal.

  • Openings & Roofs: Roofs often provided with clerestories, openings oriented towards east.

  • Decoration: Molding and sculptural applications used for visual improvements.

Examples

  • Temples: Major sacred sites like the Parthenon; parts of a Greek temple including the colonnade, cella, and porches.

  • Theaters: Ancient open-air theaters structured for acoustic performance; the Orchestra and Theatron played key roles in design.

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Development marked by Etruscan influence and use of concrete in design.

  • Religion: Adoption from Greek myths, incorporating new civic structures.

  • Geography/Climate: Strategic Mediterranean location influenced diverse architectural styles.

Architectural Character

  • Description: Core focus on utility incorporating grandeur; massive structures utilizing arches and vault systems.

  • Construction System: Introduction and refinement of the arch leading to dome constructions.

  • Materials: Incorporation of concrete significantly advanced architectural possibilities.

Examples

  • Basilicas: Large public halls and administrative structures, architectural innovations like open spaces.

  • Theaters/Auditoriums: Adapted Greek designs for Roman use.

  • Triumphal Arches: Structures commemorating military victories; e.g., Arch of Titus.

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Transition post-Rome with a focus on religious edifices rooted in traditional building styles.

Architectural Character

  • Description: Influences from Roman architecture combined with new Christian requirements, adapting basilica shapes for worship.

  • Material Use: Adaptation of old Roman structures; emphasis on ornamentation around spiritual elements.

Examples

  • Basilica Churches: Developed over saint burial sites; architectural elements like narthex and ambulatories prominent.

BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Emergence post-Rome; consolidation of Christian power and architecture.

  • Construction Elements: Shift to domical structures over traditional basilica plans.

Architectural Character

  • Description: Developed domed styles for churches, reflecting ecclesiastical ambitions.

  • Roof Systems: Multiple types of dome systems employed richly decorated interiors.

Examples

  • Hagia Sophia: Exemplary of Byzantine innovation, landing a crucial influence on future design distribute across cultures.

ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Confluence post-Roman transitions; marked by regional variations across Europe in church construction.

  • Characterization: Use of thick walls, short towers, and cross-groin vaulting.

Examples

  • Cathedrals: Basilica church styles expanding through form and decoration reflecting aspirations.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Development reflected new societal and religious directives; celebrated through cathedrals.

/

Architectural Character

  • Description: Use of the pointed arch, ribbed vaults, and extensive windows designed to inspire.

  • Examples: Notre Dame and Chartres showcasing verticality and luminous interiors through architectural innovation and sculptural detail.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Influences

  • History: Technological advancements in materials changing building styles towards new forms.

Examples

  • Key Projects: Featuring iconic structures like the Sydney Opera House and Fallingwater showcasing modernist ideals.