A Brief History of Architectural Styles and Movements

Here is your opportunity to catch up on the equivalent of three classes in architectural history in a few short pages! The following is a brief survey of the history of architecture, emphasizing the most significant movements still discussed today. It is critical to understand these basics about the history of the built environment in order to understand the history of human civilization and the nature of contemporary culture. The emphasis here is placed on more recent (and consequently more influential) movements though the following includes a summary of styles and movements predating written human histories and leading up through the present.

Prehistoric architectural structures that remain partially intact today were typically religious in nature, because religious architecture was made of more permanent materials (like brick and stone). Such structures vary dramatically in terms of style and appearance, but reveal much about the building technologies (and, where there are engravings or paintings) the cultural histories of peoples. These are our strongest link to the distant past, and demonstrate at once how far we have come as a species and how much we still rely on beliefs and stories to sustain us.

Classical architecture falls into two primary sub-categories: Greek and Roman architecture. The Greeks were perhaps most well known for the subtle and highly calculated visual effects or illusions produced by their incredibly crafted buildings. They would use devices like a subtle taper (narrowing) of a column to change the apparent size, depth or proportion of a structure. Rigid geometries defined their temples and ornaments applied to them. Roman architecture tended to focus less on religious structures and more on public or civic ones. In terms of style, the Romans borrowed much from the Greeks but were considerably less interested in subtly - preferring grandeur and opulence instead. Their buildings became monuments to their pride and power more so than examples of their cunning and creativity.