Architecture
What is architecture? While one can define architecture as a discipline that concerns itself with the art and science of designing and constructing structures, in particular, that of buildings, one can not give a precise list of characteristics that a structure must possess in order to be considered an architectural creation.
The word architecture stems from the Greek word "arkitekton" which means "master builder". Certainly, the Coliseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Athens and the Sydney Opera House are considered architectural examples, but must architecture always contain elements of grandness? Consider a mud hut or a straw bale home. Are these homes architectural designs? Does architecture need to be built by an architect? Does it need to be made of a particular material? Does it need to transcend mere function? Who decides? Clearly, there are no obvious answers. Architecture is a complex business, like most aspects of our human lives.
Michael Graves, an American architect, once said that "architecture is not all about the design of the building and nothing else, it is also about the cultural setting and the ambience, the whole affair". There is definitely a cultural component to architecture, and while an agreed-upon definition of the word is nowhere in sight, we can discern and speak of various architectural periods and architectural styles.
Renaissance Architecture (1400 -1600)
This architectural period saw a resurgence of the classical Greek and Roman forms. The architecture of this time was highly preoccupied with balance and symmetry. Some common features of the Renaissance style include the use of classical columns and pilasters, arches, domes and triangular pediments.
Baroque Architecture (1600-1700)
The Baroque style is highly ornate and dramatic. Moving far from classical forms of the Renaissance period, the Baroque architecture emphasized eccentric and bold detailing. No longer was the use of straight lines favoured. Instead, curved and broken lines were adopted and an elaborate decorative style emerged, often on a grand-scale.
Baroque architects include Francesco Borromini, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and Jules Hardouin-Mansart among many others.
Rococo Architecture (1650-1790)
The Rococo style emerged during the later part of the Baroque period. It was a more refined, calmer version of the Baroque style. This particular form was commonly adopted by the French aristocracy.
Other Architectural Styles
Many other architectural forms were fashionable at one time or another. Other popular styles include: American Colonial, Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Art Moderne, Modernism and Postmodernism.
Architecture reveals a lot about a society. It represents and symbolizes more than the enclosed space that it encompasses.
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