Lecture 14 History of Architecture

History of Architecture
Architecture
• The art and science of designing
and constructing buildings
Architecture – Ancient Egypt (3000BC)
As man evolved, so did their ability to build.
Ancient Egyptian architecture is the architecture

of Ancient Egypt, one of the most influential
civilizations throughout history, which developed a
vast array of diverse structures and great
architectural monuments including pyramids and
temples.
Architecture – Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians are famous for the building of the Pyramids. The pyramids were
built as the burial places of the Egyptian kings. There are still over eighty pyramids in
Egypt today. They are all more than 3000 years old. The architects of these pyramids were
very skilled in mathematics, in technical drawing, and in knowledge of the position of the
sun and stars. The pyramids were carefully designed to be in a straight line with, for
example, a certain star gathering at a certain time of year, or sunrise on a particular day.
The Egyptians also built

magnificent temples and Sphinx is a mythical
statues. creature with the head of a
human and the body of a
lion
Architecture – Ancient Greek (800 B.C. and 500 B.C).
• Greek architecture is a very specific and influential type of
design, which was based off of the post-and-lintel system.
• The post-and-lintel system is made up of columns, which are
large upright posts, with a roof, or architrave, over the top.
• This type of architecture began with the Greeks, but has
persisted throughout the ages to live on today.
• Even though it may seem simple, the Greeks created a
wonderful and lasting legacy of architecture.
• The columns and architraves were carved with leaves and
flowers, scenes of battles, and mythological creatures.
• The columns were decorated with lines and bases, and capitals,
which topped off the columns and connected them to the
architraves.
Architecture – Ancient Greek
The Parthenon
Acropolis
Architecture – Ancient Greek
Erechtheion
Epidaurus Theatre
Architecture – Roman (750 BC-400 AD)
Early Roman architecture borrowed heavily from Greek
architecture. However, the Romans quickly adapted their
own styles and were soon inspiring the architecture of many
other countries.
One of the most important additions that the Romans
brought to architecture is the arch.
Architecture – Roman
• Known for their engineering expertise, particularly the

development of roads and aqueducts adapted from Greek
designs
• Developed the barrel vault, also known
as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an
architectural element formed by the
extrusion of a single curve (or pair of
curves, in the case of a pointed barrel
vault) along a given distance.
• The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-
cylindrical appearance to the total design.
• The barrel vault is the simplest form of a vault: effectively
a series of arches placed side by side.
Using concrete, bricks, and the concept of the arch, Rome was able to
provide many of its citizens with water. Aqueducts (water bridges) were
built throughout Rome, their arch structures bringing water to areas far
away from natural water supplies.
(753 BC to 27 BC)
The arch quickly led to the dome ceilings used in many houses and
buildings. Because arched and domed structures can share weight
evenly, the concept was soon being used throughout the city and around
the world.
Architecture – Gothic Castles (16th century)
Early medieval architecture was a continuation of Roman architecture,
relying on the rounded arch and barrel vaults. During the Early
Middle Ages, everything was built with the idea of protection in mind.
Castles, then, weren’t simply giant stone structures sitting out in the
open, waiting for someone to come along, knock on the door, and walk
in. Rather, they were buildings within high walls, and contained what
was very much like a small village inside the walls.
Architecture – Gothic
Castles
Churches and Cathedrals
Later medieval buildings allowed the weight of the building to be
transferred from the walls to support columns outside the main structure.
This made windows now possible. The structures often feature pointed
arches, and sharp spires. Cathedrals and churches could now be built
much higher than before, and the feeling inside them is now one of
soaring upwards vertically -- an appropriate experiential effect for the
nature of these sacred spaces.
Baroque (1600-1715)
“In the arts, Baroque is a period as well as the style that dominated it. The
Baroque style used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail
to produce drama, tension, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature,
dance, and music. The style started around 1600 in Rome, Italy and
spread to most of Europe.
The popularity and success of the “Baroque” was encouraged by the
Roman Catholic Church which had decided at the time of the Council of
Trent that the arts should communicate religious themes in direct and
emotional involvement.
Architecture – The Chinese,
Japanese and Indian Achievements
In 19th century, architecture flourished greatly thanks to the
development of resources. Designs influenced by Chinese,
Japanese and Indian art and architecture were popular in the
early 19th century. The Chinese architecture emphasized
more on decorative aspect as compared to the constructive
aspect.
Architecture – Chinese
Architecture - Japanese
Architecture – India
TAJ MAHAL
Architecture – Modern Designs
The Combination of early and modern architecture took
place as years went by.
People started incorporating the ancient architecture with
the modern architecture to create eye catching buildings. As
a result, architecture became a mixture of past and present.
In different high profile structures, earlier and modern
architecture are well blended.
Any building today, regardless of whether it’s a commercial
building, temple or a palace, you will observe that ancient
architecture in it.
Modern Architecture
The 1st skyscraper was built in St. Louis, MO. It was 10
stories (147 feet) tall and built between 1890 and 1891.
Modern Architecture
The tallest skyscraper today is the Burj Khalifa in
Dubai and is 2717 feet tall.
Modern Architecture

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History of Architecture

As man evolved, so did their ability to build.

Ancient Egyptian architecture is the architecture

The Egyptians also built

• Known for their engineering expertise, particularly the

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