Architectural Building Styles - over 10,000 years of structural history

SRD

Architectural Building Styles

Neolithic Architectural Building Style

Neolithic architecture arose around 10000bc in southwest Asia and spread throughout Asia and into Europe by around 5000BC. This period is focused mainly on the functional use of rock, mud-brick, wood, clay, and sand. Many of the structures are characterized by a rock-pile approach giving rise to homes, tombs, and even the famous Stonehenge.

Mesoamerican Architectural Building Style

Mesoamerican architecture ranged between 2000bc and 1500ad in pre-Columbian America and is characterized mostly by pyramid-like structures like those of ancient Egypt. The inspiration and decoration of these structures tends to be of religious or mythological origin.

Classical Architectural Building Style

Classical architecture signifies the time period around the turn of the millennium from 500bc to around the 1st century ad and is based mainly in the Greek and Roman cultures. Many buildings and temples were erected to the Gods in tribute to their beauty and supremacy. This period also gave rise to a columned approach most notably the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian designs.

Medieval Architectural Building Style

Medieval architecture covers the pre-renaissance period around 1000-1400ad and tended to have a more religious theme. Founded on the concepts of the classical period, Medieval architecture expanded on the deity based construction focusing on religious and secular works. This period is characterized by arches, fortified walls, large expanses of glass, and depictions of the bible and saints.

Renaissance Architectural Building Style

The Renaissance period of architecture from the 15th to 17th centuries shifted focus from state and societal ideals to a more humanistic focus. Buildings in this period across Europe and Scandinavia still shared a focus of religious theme but with a more focus on artistic, geometric and spatial relationships. This period gave rise to such well known figures as Michelangelo and Leonardo.

Modern Architectural Building Style

Modern architecture from the early 1900’s returned to practicality and functionality. The ornamental nature of previous centuries was removed in lieu of simplification. The modern period of architecture dominated the 20th century and gave rise to corporate buildings and institutions.

Postmodern Architectural Building Style

Postmodern architecture reincorporated the theme of ornament to the modern period bringing back the previous aesthetic focus of previous centuries. Not limited to theology, this period began around the mid 1900’s and continues today bringing aesthetics and functionality together.