Architecture overview
When it comes to architecture, you will find that it is a science or even an art. You will want to keep in mind that designing and planning is just half of the wonder when it comes to putting a town together or working on the local surroundings.
There are some people who specialize in just architecture and that is known as being an architect. Architecture has played a key part of our entire worlds history. For wherever there have been buildings or structures that were safe for inhabiting, there has been some sort of architecture.
When it comes to architecture, you will find that it all begins with imagination and then it is created to be functional, educational, useful, and even fun. From the smallest 1 bedroom home to the grandest palace or biggest cathedral, every structure is based on some form of architecture.
Overtime architecture tends to change with time and design. You will find that there are many eras of architectural design as well. Each era has its own style of architecture, from Baroque, Greco-Roman, Art Deco, Victorian to American Colonial, Prairie, and Bauhaus. Lines, materials, structure and symbolism all contribute to the different styles of architecture.
Architecture styles can be anywhere from subtle to garish and materials vary from lumber to limestone. When it comes to the earlier designs you will find that they are made from local and natural materials and they are also materials that are bountiful.
In Greece, limestone happened to be bountiful and it was the material that most structures were created from. And since marble was not only rare but for a few select islands, but very difficult to transport, it was used sparingly and usually only for ornamentation.
When it comes to early America, you will find that the saltbox houses where made from wood, which was readily available and it was easily to build, so it took practically no money at all to build one of these homes. You will find that the joints could have been put together with nails, but they were very expensive, so they were usually put together with wood joints.
Art Deco and Architecture
When it comes to art deco architecture, it was very popular in the twenties and the thirties. It becomes a movement in interior design and even industrial design. You will find that there are many things like films and pieces of art that also fashion this type of style.
The movement was a mixture of many different styles, incorporating cubism, modernism, Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, and Futurism, and its popularity peaked in the roaring twenties.
There were many other architectural styles that also had some political roots, and also they had some philosophical influences, but when it comes to art deco it is just for simple decoration.
Designed to be beautiful, elegant, functional and modern. One of the best-known pieces of Art Deco architecture in the U.S. is the Chrysler Building in New York.
The beautiful Art Deco spire was built between 1928 and 1930. Following close behind the Art Deco period was the Streamline Moderne. The focus was mainly on advancing technologies such as automobiles and aviation.
With the art deco architecture it is mainly composed of many man-made pieces. The most popular being glass and stainless steel. Lines were very symmetrical and repetitive throughout structures.
It becomes very popular during the depression because it was very simple and very practical. Art Deco still reminded people of the better times and gave them hope of one day reliving them.
After the Second World War, it becomes very short live fore the art deco period. You will find that the image of art deco became almost like a false sense of lavishness, but it is still seen in interior design well into the 1960’s.
Something that you’ll want to think about it that the beautiful designs of art deco architecture has become very modern and also it still is mixing things up with even today’s styles. Throughout the United States, you will still find that art deco is still alive in some of the bigger cities.
17 century Architecture and Baroque era
Back in the 17th century and in Italy, you’ll find that this is about the time of the baroque architecture. This is a very early style of architecture, but a very beautiful style.
Taking the renaissance architecture and modifying it to a new theatrical, sculptural fashion, Baroque architecture became a very fanciful, extravagant style of structural design.
When it comes to the renaissance style, it was designed for a more well to do society, and then the baroque architecture became an interest with the Roman Catholic Church.
The concerns were for light, shade and color intensity and Baroque found its secular expression in grand palaces first in France, then throughout Europe.
Keep in mind that the Chateau de Maisons is still in France and it is known as a huge part of the baroque architecture.
One of the most famous though of the Baroque architecture pieces is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. When it comes to the Vatican City, you will find that it is one of the most beautiful. Topped with its towering dome, it is a notable feature in the Roman skyline.
When it comes to baroque structures you will find that it can be grand in both ornaments and grand. As baroque moved through Europe, it eventually took on the look of European Colonialism.
As for England, it is the Greenwich hospital located in London that is one of the most beautiful, English examples of this type of architecture. Founded in 1694 as the Royal Naval Hospital for sailors, the Greenwich hospital is famous for its Baroque Painted Hall, which was painted in honor of King William and Queen Mary.
With the chapel, you’ll want to keep in mind that baroque architecture is not only present in the art and décor, but also it is known for the gold painted ceilings.
The use of Gothic Architecture
For those who are thinking about visiting some of the most popular European cathedrals, you’ll notice that when it comes to the gothic era, which lasted between the 12th century and the 16th century. The design is very intricate and the structure has many unique aspects.
There are a lot of architectural features that are very common, but they also stand for the gothic architecture. Used also in castles and palaces as well as government buildings and universities, but lesser found in private dwellings, as its construction was extremely costly.
Named not from the historical Goths, but from Giorgio Vasari to describe the culture that was considered rude and barbaric. Italy, at the time, was building more classical structures, but they looked at the English and thought that the buildings were very showy.
The Gothic architecture utilizes local resources such as various grades of limestone, and colored marble.
The greatest part of the gothic style is that there were not only creating interesting pieces of art, but they were learning to build with styles that used new technology. It was very cutting edge at the time.
Emphasizing verticality and light, the inside -walls- were not solid ones that we commonly know, but looked more like the skeleton of a building. Clustered columns, pointed ribbed vaults and flying buttresses were the finished effect.
When it comes to the gothic architecture of the many cathedrals or even the abbys, you’ll find that they were made to become almost like a landmark. They were to be respected high above the rest of the town.
Another dramatic effect was that the gothic architecture showed off high towers, spires, and even pinnacles. It was the height of the town and also it was as decorative on the outside as it is in the inside. You will find that the decoration of the interior design will only enhance the overall appearance.
American Architecture
When you take a trip across the country and you start to look for beautiful architecture you will find it from coast to coast. You will notice that most of the architecture of America is mostly predominate of the 1780’s.
Many wealthy early American settlers like the Anglo-Americans built the structures.
Built mostly by wealthy Anglo Americans, the houses afforded several distinct styles depending on local. Also known as Colonial Georgian, these homes were the earliest style to grace the U.S. colonies.
A good example of American colonial architecture happens to be the Saltbox. What the Saltbox basically is is a wooden frame house with a high-pitched roof that slopes down to the back.
It basically is two stories and the back of the house only has one story. This makes the sides very unequal, but it looks much like a saltbox, which basically was a wooden boxed building where you kept your salt.
The saltbox is a simple style of home, but it also has a simple name. Generally, the chimney was centrally located, making the house, from a distance, look like a box with a lid and handle to lift it off.
Other defining characteristics of American Colonial architecture are the square, symmetrical shape, the front door placed directly in the middle of the houses front and the even, straight line of windows throughout.
Once you are inside there is usually an entryway and then a staircase. You will find that when it comes to rooms, they will branch off from the entryway. When it comes to the homes like saltboxes, they are just timber-framed homes constructed with woodwork joints, because metal nails are too costly. You will find that saltbox homes will also have a wood siding to finish off the home.
Greco-Roman and Greek Architecture
When it comes to ancient Greece, you’ll find that there was a beginning of the sculpture architecture area, but it is also seen the present day.
For those who have studied the Greek history, you’ll find that until the 7th century there was no style of architecture. Everything was made mostly of wood or even mud. Today, you don’t see any of this, and it is barely written down.
But in a more modern Greece, buildings such as the Parthenon and the Coliseum, still partially remain, giving us beautiful architecture in which to study.
Most Greco-Roman architecture either rectangle or square in shape and made from limestone, which is found in abundance in Greece. Even though you think that Marble was very big in Greco-Roman architecture. You will find that the only thing wrong with using marble is that the cost and availability is not always pleasant.
Greco-Roman architecture is abundant in columns and size. Most people don’t realize that there are two types of Greco-Roman architecture, the Doric and Ionic.
While the famous Parthenon and the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens are Doric, the Erechtheum, which is located right next to the Parthenon is Ionic. A lot of people don’t realize that Greco-Roman architecture is actually more decorative.
The most surviving buildings of Roman-Greco Architecture lean towards the temples. This is mainly due to the building material used. The only thing that is wrong with Limestone is that it will begin to waste away and also you will find that it will decompose naturally from erosion.
Marble was used in the temples and Parthenon because they were to be the grandest buildings. You will find that even though the marble was difficult to transport, it was still used in the design.
Extravagant Victorian Architecture
The Carson mansion is one of the most wonderful examples of beautiful architecture. You will find that it is also one of the best examples of Victorian architecture. It has about 18 rooms and was constructed about the late 1800’s. When it was built, it cost about $80,000, which is an incredible amount of money for the time period.
It is a mix of every major style of Victorian Architecture and is the most written about, most photographed house in California, possibly the U.S.
A lot of people understand why it is known as the Victorian style. A lot of people realize that it is named after the English queen, Queen Victoria. This is the building period that also overlaps with her reign.
These structures are highly decorated and so aptly nicknamed Gingerbread houses for all of their pieces and gingerbread type scroll work and ornamentation.
For those who are interested in this building period, you’ll find that Toedo, Ohio is one of the most well known areas for Victorian building. Boston is noted in the National Register of Historic Places as having the oldest Victorian neighborhood in the U.S.
But of course, the U.S. isn’t the only place where these intricate creations of Victorian Architecture can be found. There are tons of era cities that offer notable Victorian era designs. London, Glasgow, Melbourne, and even New Orleans has become on of the most highly notable places.
When it comes to typical architecture of Victorian era the fact is that it is functional, but it is also mysterious. You will want to keep in mind that there is a lot of delicate and detailed woodwork that is also known for having a grand color in schemes. You will want to keep in mind that with exterior and interior design everything looks very warm and inviting. With the large rooms, they are very welcoming and also the beautiful.
Bauhaus Architecture era
With the Bauhaus architecture Germany is the main reason for it all. This is a design era that was from 1919 to 1933. The man to blame is Walter Gropius and he is the founder for the Bauahaus era.
This is a very basic concept and a very basic style. Bauhaus in its very definition means simple. Bauhaus architecture is just that. Basic shapes, geometric designs and little frill and fancy. Though its founder was an architect, for the first several years, the Staatliches Bauhaus School in Germany refined the crafts and fine arts but did not actually include an architecture department.
When it comes to the Bauhaus style, you will find that it has become a real base for the current modern movement. These structures are primarily simple in form and without ornamentation.
The forms were simple and functional with the idea of mass production with some artistic spirit thrown in. When it comes to the peak of the Bauhaus movement, you will find that even the godliest designers changed from being over designed to being more simple and basic.
Understandably, Bauhaus Architecture is most commonly found in Germany, but its influences reached the United States and even Tel Aviv in the time following its demise in Germany due exile.
If you would like to mark a site of the Bauhaus design you will want to consider that there is the Tel Aviv. In the late 1930s the Bauhaus Architecture was brought to the U.S. Namely Chicago, Illinois, where the New Bauhaus School was founded.
This design is still being practiced today and you will find that it will keep the basics for the modern day style and it is clearly present and practiced. You will find that there are people all over the world who still study this era of design and also practice the theory as well.
Midwest Architecture
The prairie styles of architecture will not only make your home look interesting, but it will also look very beautiful. It will also work when it comes to small commercial buildings.
The prairie style architecture was drafted originally in the loft room of the Steinway Piano Company building in Chicago, Illinois in the 1890’s. The time of prairie style was very well known and popular from about the 1900’s to about 1912.
Probably the most famous follower of the Louis Sullivan teachings on Prairie Style architecture was Frank Lloyd Wright.
When it comes to the prairie style it is most popular in the midwestern part of the United States.
Prairie style homes are distinct in their design. Created with horizontal lines, flat roofs with overhanging eves and windows grouped in horizontal bands.
There are three famous prairie style homes that are located throughout the eastern coast, but the most famous one of them all is the Dawwin D Martin house, which is in Buffalo, NY. You’ll also find that the Guggenheim museum in New York City, but don’t forget the Fallingwater structure located in Pennsylvania.
There is just one that stands out about the rest though. Keep in mind that the Robie House, located as part of the University of Chicago, became the best example of prairie style architecture.
Illinois still holds the greatest number of Prairie Style Architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright lived for a time in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Here you will find street after street of Prairie Style Architecture.
With prairie homes, you will find that they were not only pretty, but they were useful as well. They were very functional when it come to the prairie climate. You will want to keep in mind that the function of the home is very important, but also it is appropriate for the prairie. As for the interior, you will find that there is an aspect of being multifunctional and also it uses the suns natural light and the natural airflow to keep the house thriving. It happens to be one of the most beautiful designs of architecture in the Midwest.
Adobes and ancient architecture
The adobe architecture was some of the earliest structures. This type of structures where made from natural materials like dung, straw, sand, and clay. There are other materials that are used as well.
The adobe is formed into bricks. Then the bricks are dried in the sun much like cob or even mud bricks. The structures become extremely durable. They are used mainly in hot, arid climates because they remain cool in the summer and release heat very slowly in the winter.
The same mixture, without the straw is used for mortar in placing the dried adobe bricks together to form a structure. Then there are some that use a lime-based cement as for plaster to add protection for those wet months.
The thickness of the adobe bricks is key in the architecture. This is what will keep the structure cool in the hot months and warm in the cold months.
The largest structure ever erected from Adobe was the Bam Citadel. But it suffered serious damage from an earthquake in 2003.
The Huaca del Sol in Peru is another grand adobe structure that was created from over 100 million signed bricks.
When it comes to the worlds largest adobe architecture happens to erected from 500 BC and it is known as the citadel of Arg-e-Bam.
The area of Bam Citadel is 180,000 square meters and is surrounded by walls 6-7 meters high and 1815 meters in length, all out of Adobe. When the gates to the city were closed, no human or animal could enter. This is a city that is self-contained, but it has access to gardens and cattle all within the city.
When it comes to adobe architecture it is a little bit different when it comes to placing a roof on the structure. You will find that the roofs where made of wood or metal, but then there are dried adobe bricks placed on top of the structure and plastered to stay in place on the roof.
