When it comes to architecture, there are many different types of buildings that have transformed our culture as humans. Some examples of this include the great cathedrals, monuments, and skyscrapers across Europe and Asia.

These structures were not only impressive for their size but also how beautifully they integrated space, proportion, and color. They inspired other architects to make similar designs in ways we still admire today.

Architecture has always been an integral part of human civilization, going back centuries if not millennia. Since then, it has evolved into several distinct categories or styles. These styles all share some similarities, which includes using natural light, emphasizing aesthetics, and creating a sense of seclusion and solitude.

This article will discuss one style of architectural design that changed the way people build- the Neoclassical. It was invented around 250 years ago during The Enlightenment, a time when most European countries experienced significant cultural transformations.

Neo-classicism is characterized by large columns, elaborate decorations, and proportions that are almost mathematical in nature. This influence can be seen throughout much of modern day architecture, especially in Western cultures.

The Renaissance

Between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Europe entered an era of dramatic growth and exploration. This period is referred to as the High Renaissance or simply Renaissance. During this time, art and architecture flourished in many fields, from sculpture to painting to designing new types of buildings.

The Renaissance was influenced by classical antiquity. Ancient Greek and Roman culture had built upon earlier civilizations, creating a framework for later artistic styles. Classical elements such as proportion, symmetry, and emphasis on form over raw materialism were incorporated into artwork and design.

During the Italian Renaissance, artists experimented with natural light and color schemes, developing what would become known as Neoclassicism. Artists also revived interest in human figures, depicting them with more refined lines and proportions.

Architecture during the Renaissance focused on balance and harmony. Buildings resembled small cities due to their use of symmetrical layouts and balanced placement of windows and doors. Materials became increasingly decorative and elaborate.

Artists and architects alike designed not only beautiful structures, but also distinctive ones that could be identified. A popular style was Mannerist, characterized by grotesque shapes and exaggerated features.

The French Revolution

During this time, many new styles of architecture were introduced. These included Neoclassicism, which is characterized by strong vertical lines and proportionate shapes; Art Deco, with its use of bright colors and geometric patterns; and later to come, Postmodernism, which mixed up traditional forms and concepts.

These styles all shared one thing in common, though — they focused on individual expression and creativity. Architectural form was no longer considered important for practical uses, but rather as an artistic statement that allowed you to express yourself through the space it occupied.

Neoclassical buildings still have very strong vertical lines, but their proportions are softer and more human-like. Art deco features elaborate decorations and stylized designs, while the shape of some structures emphasize balance and harmony over pure decoration.

Postmodern architects mix up classical elements and ideas with non-classical ones, creating works that seem unique every time you look at them.

The Industrial Revolution

Modern day architecture is heavily influenced by the industrial revolution. Buildings now seem to constantly reiterate, ‘I’m a machine!’

The skyscraper was one of the first major architectural statements of this idea. Skyscrapers are very tall buildings with large windows that offer sweeping views.

They also contain many stories in which rooms are separated only by thin walls or even no wall at all. This way you get the feeling there is not much difference between each room and the next.

This concept comes from the mechanized production lines used for manufacturing during the industrial era. In these lines, workers were organized into separate teams working towards a common goal. Each team had its own area where it could work alone before being combined together as one larger group.

A lot of today’s popular styles can be characterized as this concept applied to space. Take the example of how everything seems to have lots of white space around it. There is almost nothing beyond the edge of the building except air.

That empty space gives the illusion that there is more room than there actually is. It creates an uncomfortable sense of pressure because you feel like you do not have enough space to fit what you need.

Industrial style buildings solved this problem by having very few decorations outside of the structure itself. All the hard surfaces of the building take away most of the space so there is less feeling that you do not have enough.

The Modernist Movement

During the early twentieth century, an architectural style emerged that rejected all past styles as outdated and naïve. This new movement called itself modernism and its proponents were often criticized for being cold and detached from nature.

Modernists believed in using clean lines and geometry to create spaces that are efficient use of space. They also typically avoided incorporating decorations or textures into their designs.

However, this style did incorporate natural light, which many consider to be integral to creating aesthetically pleasing environments. In addition, they usually designed buildings with exposed steel or concrete structures, which some say contributes to the beauty of the architecture.

Overall, these qualities make the design seem stark and powerful, making them appealing. However, not everyone agrees that this is a good thing. Some feel that this indifference towards nature and decoration is simply too focused on technology and business.

This effect may appeal to someone who works in the tech industry, but it does not speak to those looking for deeper connections with others and nature. By removing distractions, you have more time to focus on relationships and self-reflection, something most people value.

The Art Deco Movement

During the 1920s, an architectural style called Art Deco emerged. This was a stark contrast to the gaudy decorations used in the Victorian era and the neoclassical styles that dominated architecture until then.

Art Deco artists focused more on shapes than elaborate decoration. Shapes like straight lines, squares, circles, and triangles were very popular. Materials such as chrome or aluminum also became common.

These new materials gave rise to newer designs such as the famous Chrysler Building, which features triangular shaped windows made of aluminum. These types of windows are known as triangulated glazing.

Many buildings from this period feature vertical stripes painted onto the glass. These patterns would change depending on the season and the area of the country the building is in.

The Shapes of Modernism

Between 1870 and 1930, several recurring styles emerged that would come to define modern architecture. These include Neoclassical, Art Deco, Regional Style, and even some forms called Minimalist or Brutalist.

Neoclassicism was one of the first trends in architectural style we can clearly identify as “modern”. It is characterized by clean lines, proportioned shapes, and elegant decorations and materials. Famous examples of this style are New York City’s Chrysler Building and Los Angeles’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Art Deco made its appearance around the turn of the 20th century and quickly became popular. This style mixed classic proportions with bright, flamboyant colors and geometric motifs. Buildings designed in this style included the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and Chicago’s Willis Hotel.

Regional styles flourished during the early-to-mid 1900s. Architectural practices throughout Europe incorporated local traditions into their designs. For instance, Italian architects blended Roman ruins with Gothic structures and Japanese designers adapted traditional Chinese building techniques.

And then there’s what many consider to be the father of all modern movements — Frank Lloyd Wright. He created a unique style he referred to himself as Organic Expressionism.

The Aesthetic Movement

During this period, architecture was considered to be beautiful if it left an impression or aesthetic effect. Many architects during this time focused more on how a building influenced the viewer rather than what decorations it had. Buildings were designed to leave a lasting feeling, sometimes pleasant and sometimes not.

The main components of the design that made something aesthetically pleasing were its lines and shapes. Lines can go all sorts of ways, like a line of windows or doorways, or a line coming down the front of the house. Shapes are also important, such as a circle, square, triangle, or rectangle. These shapes could be one material or several materials mixed together.

This era saw some famous buildings that fit into both of these categories. Some examples include Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses, which have very simple lines but create a sense of peace; Mies van der Rohe’s German offices, with their clean lined furniture and white space creating a calm environment; and Le Corbusier’s apartment blocks in France, characterized by their boxy shape and use of concrete.

These three architects built homes and offices that inspired awe, but did not influence emotional reactions. They may make you feel peaceful, but they do not connect well with other emotions. This is why they are still popular designs today.

The Nature-Inspired Movement

Recent architectural trends arise out of observations or encounters with nature. These designs are influenced by, or strive to evoke an understanding of natural environments.

Many design themes can be categorized as nature inspired. Examples include lush, plant filled spaces; geometric shapes that mimic plants and ecosystems; and materials such as bamboo or iron which resemble naturally occurring elements.

These types of decorations emphasize unity through repetition and balance. By incorporating these qualities, the space feels calm and serene.

The influence of nature in designing buildings is not new. Ancient cultures built their architecture according to their surroundings and knowledge of building practices which included using locally sourced resources and integrating aesthetics into their structures.

However, it was not until recently that this style became popular once again. A number of reasons contribute to this resurgence including a shift towards sustainability and respect for our environment.

Sustainability has become more important than ever before. We have entered a period where environmental concerns are at a all time high. Architects are being asked to address issues related to energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials, and reducing carbon footprints.

As individuals we can also play a significant role in protecting our planet by looking outside of the box when thinking about ways to reduce your own personal footprint. For example, you can choose to use public transport instead of driving a car, recycle everything possible, and invest in energy efficient appliances and gadgets.