Throughout history, architecture has changed to reflect changing societal norms and aesthetical tastes. Some styles are more popular than others, but no style is ever really gone out of fashion. The best styles appeal to you or “speak” to your inner self in some way that is unique and personal.

Architecture students should be familiar with recent architectural trends as well as some classics so they can design according to authentic principles. In fact, knowing what makes an artistic work beautiful can be applied to any field, not just designing.

This article will talk about five different types of architectures and how each one evolved over time. What is interesting about these styles is that all make sense! Even if you have never seen a building like this before, you will know why it looks the way it does.

The first two styles mentioned here are Neoclassical and Minimalist. Both of these were current trends years ago which means there are now older versions of them.

The Roman Empire

During the time of the Roman Empire, architecture flourished beyond recognition. Buildings were constructed using efficient construction techniques that remain in use to this day. Rome is often referred to as the city-state with the most impressive buildings due to their immense wealth they had.

Their wealthy elite lived in large villas surrounded by beautiful gardens. These homes would feature very advanced architectural design and perfection. Some examples include: marble or bronze columns, mosaic floors, and luxurious decorations.

The Romans built many monuments and structures around the known world. Many are still visible today including the Colosseum, Capitoline Temple, and the Forum. They also left us with one of the greatest empires ever lived under the rule of a single leader.

These leaders ruled through propaganda, making it easy for people to believe what they told them. This resulted in huge amounts of loyalty which helped them stay in power for an extended period of time. By having loyal followers, they were able to keep up with other powerful elites like themselves.

The Gothic Empire

During this period, architecture took a dramatic turn towards darkness. This is called gothic or romanticism. Buildings became longer and thinner, features such as vaults and arches flourished, and there was an emphasis on symbolism and mythology.

The word ‘goth’ comes from the German language for 'goat'. These roofs look like goats grazing on green fields. Vents were also used to create the appearance of goat horns!

This style originated in France with the church buildings built during the late Middle Ages. It spread across Europe via the Italian Renaissance.

In England it found its most famous expression in the cathedrals. In fact, some scholars believe that the cathedral shape was influenced by the Gothic churches.

The Renaissance

During this period, people started to look at architecture in new ways. Buildings were not only used for practical purposes, but also served as artistic expression. Architectural styles flourished during this time, with many different trends emerging and collapsing quickly.

The Gothic style, which was popular from the 1300s until around 1500, gave way to more classic Roman styles. This is what we refer to today as Classical Revivalism.

Then came Neoclassicism, or restored Ancient Greek and Roman forms. Next came Art Deco, characterized by geometric shapes and bright colors. After that, there was something called Minimalist architecture, which focused almost entirely on shape and function.

After World War II, Modern architecture became very popular. This included everything from International Style buildings to ones built using nature as inspiration. More recently, Post-Modern architecture has become extremely popular due to its use of random patterns and textures.

There are many reasons why these various architectural styles have been so influential. One reason is because they all make use of striking silhouettes and strong lines. Another is their emphasis on functionality over decoration. Some even include social messages or statements!

However, one thing remains the same across all of these styles – architects wanted to see how well their ideas would fit together. They wanted to create structures that feel natural and elegant, making use of appropriate materials. And you will always find them looking back to ancient traditions for guidance.

The Baroque Era

During the baroque era, architectural styles flourished as each building or area of a city was designed to emphasize artistic expression and self-reflection. Buildings were characterized by their use of complex sculpture, rich decoration, and illusionistic shapes.

The Italian baroque style incorporated these characteristics into every part of the structure, from the setting sun to the intricate carvings on the doors and windows. Some examples include the Chiesa di Sant’Andrea in Rome, which features an elaborate fountain with cascading water and flowers; or Palazzo Pitti in Florence, which has ornate decorations that give it its name, “the palace of beautiful paintings.”

This style lasted from about 1600–1750 and is sometimes called rococo architecture due to the term “rocchio,” which means florid or extravagant in Italian. This influence can still be seen in contemporary designs like those found in French country homes or Mediterranean villas.

The Industrial Revolution

During this period, things changed very quickly. We have what is known as the Enlightenment or the European Enlightenment, which was an explosion of creativity in architecture and engineering.

Architects such as Robert Adam designed beautiful buildings that mixed neoclassical styles with natural forms. Joseph Paxton, who helped to create London’s famous Crystal Palace, incorporated Gothic touches into his designs.

And then there are those like Karl Friedrich Schinkel, one of Germany’s most influential architects. He integrated Neoclassicism, romanticism, and Classicism beautifully.

These men built upon the work of their predecessors and created some of the greatest works ever seen. They were all self-taught though; none had formal training in art or architecture.

With no rules to follow and little guidance from others, they produced masterpieces through inspiration and experimentation. These masters knew how to use proportion, balance, and rhythm effectively to inspire awe and wonder.

The Modern Era

During this period, architects began to separate themselves from direct representation of nature through use of shapes that are not natural or proportional. Buildings would become increasingly elaborate using large amounts of glass, metal, and plastic as decoration.

This is what we refer to as the modern style. Artists adopted these materials into their work and they stuck. These new decorations became integral parts of the image designed by the artist.

The influence of the modern era can be seen in almost every part of our daily lives. Technology has allowed for an ever-expanding display of metals and plastics that invite attention. It’s hard to look past all of the glitter!

Artists like Piet Mondrian made many lasting contributions to visual art with his use of parallel lines and squares. Many consider his paintings to be formalist, which means they emphasize form over content.

These types of designs left little to no room for expression, but they are still considered beautiful due to their simplicity.

Key architects

Great architecture is always changing, evolving to suit new technologies and philosophies of building. Some buildings remain popular for years due to their striking design or elegant way of constructing them. These types of structures inspire awe in onlookers who admire their beauty!

Architecture as we know it was influenced by many different factors. The most important being money. As societies become wealthier they can spend more on housing and other facilities to help promote socialization.

The rich live close to each other so gathering places like restaurants and bars are heavily invested in. This creates an environment where people come frequently and thus promoting community organization and interaction.

Land availability also plays a large role in how and what type of homes get built. Buildings that use up lots of space don’t necessarily make for beautiful viewing experiences.

As economies boom and bust periodically, funding for big projects comes and goes. Just look at all of the changes Disney makes with its theme parks!

However, no matter the budget, style, or philosophy of construction there are some fundamentals every architect must learn. These include mathematics, physics, geometry, psychology, and sustainability.

All too often I see designers that lack these key components to their craft. Hopefully this article will be a helpful resource for those looking to start developing their architectural skills.

Contemporary architects

Modern architecture is an interesting genre to study, as there are many different schools that have sprung up around the world. Each has their own style, theory, and approach to building structures. Some use very literal interpretations of classical styles, while others pursue more experimental designs.

Many consider Carl Benschen to be one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century. He designed buildings in what was referred to at the time as the “International Style” or just The Style. This style can be characterized by large windows, white walls, and roofs with lots of glassy surfaces.

This style influenced later generations of architects who adapted it for their own unique visions. A famous example of this is Marcel Breuer’s One Metropolitan Square design, which he completed in 1965. It inspired other similar square shaped skyscrapers such as those found in New York City and Chicago.

Another important figure in modern architecture is Le Corbusier. His work focused heavily on clean lines and shapes. Many think his design concepts inspired people today to create minimalist interior spaces.

Minimalist colors and decorations are usually absent, leaving mostly space and solid materials. An excellent example of his work is the Ateliers de Classe 05 studio located in Vézelay, France.