As we know, humans are hardwired for architecture. Since prehistoric times, buildings have played an integral part in creating cultures. Buildings not only tell us about who built them and why, but also what they believe and how they structure their society.

Architecture is a powerful tool that can reveal much about a culture’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the influence it has had throughout history. Cultural archaeologists use architectural patterns to understand past societies, establishing relationships between structures, material types, and themes.

This article will discuss some examples of cultural artifacts, such as temples and palaces, and how they relate to the wider context of the civilization that created them. We will then look at two important theories concerning the function of sacred spaces-the need to connect with our source of power and the desire to limit conflict by offering refuge or safety.

Lastly, we will explore one example of an influential building which embodied these concepts, and compare it to another building that departed from this tradition. These examples will be drawn both from prehistory and early historical periods, and will focus on Europe. However, many of the concepts discussed here apply beyond national borders.

We will conclude this lesson looking at some possible reasons why ancient architects constructed certain shapes and how these influenced subsequent styles.

The Chinese

In China, there is an emphasis on balance and harmony. Buildings look like they belong in their setting and are designed with consistency and tranquility.

This harmonious style of design originated from the teachings of Confucius, who emphasized respect for others and gratitude towards those that fortunate to be born into good fortune.

He also stressed equality, as everyone was given equal opportunities during his time. This concept has been carried onto today’s society where people of all social classes enjoy equal access to resources.

Architecture reflects this culture by emphasizing unity and neutrality. For example, both skyscraper architects and home designers use shapes and materials that are neutral so that users do not associate them with one nationality or another.

I believe this influence comes from the importance of architecture in Chinese culture. If you take a close look at many famous buildings such as the Shanghai World Financial Center or the Burj Khalifa- the tallest building in the world- you will see that they resemble each other.

They are all white and have vertical lines which create a sense of calmness and serenity.

The Japanese

In Japan, architecture is an integral part of every aspect of life. Buildings are designed to inspire awe and respect, not only for their beauty, but also for what they represent.

Architecture in Japan has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Ancient structures such as temples and shrines have been rebuilt over and over again with little variation.

This isn’t the case anymore. New buildings seem to defy the laws of nature and math by taking weird shapes or going up and down like waves!

However, you won’t see too many people talking about it because it goes against what everyone else does. It’s very common to find this type of design in Japan, but most people don’t talk much about it.

It’s almost like there’s a taboo on it. This makes sense because we take our architectural styles for granted.

We assume that anyone who looks at a building knows why it was built and how it fits into its surrounding environment. We forget that not even master builders understand all of the reasons behind everything they look at completely.

That’s totally normal. But in Japan, it's seen as abnormal.

The British

In England, your national architecture is influenced by your culture and history. Buildings reflect what you want to emphasize as important in life.

The Romans built their great empires through strong government leadership and propaganda. They constructed impressive monuments such as temples and arenas to show off how powerful they were.

Likewise, the English are big on rhetoric and storytelling. It’s part of our society and we propagate it through media and advertising everywhere – even buildings!

English architects use bold colors, classic lines and large windows to create spaces that tell a story. Spaces with rich textures, natural light and beautiful materials make for more stimulating environments.

They also feature open-concept layouts so everyone can see each other which promotes socialization. And since everything is accessible, people feel comfortable interacting and sharing ideas.

Overall, architectural styles in England emphasize efficiency, practicality and functionality. Healthier, happier individuals live in healthy settings which contribute positively to overall health and wellness.

The Americans

America is an incredible country that has made its fair share of mistakes, but it is also a nation full of wonderful people with strong cultures.

One such culture is our own national architecture style, which comes from the American colonists. These colonial buildings showcased strength through their use of powerful materials like stone or brick, and impressive roofs.

The neoclassical style was one of the most prominent styles in America during the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. It mixed elegant marble and granite columns with clean lines and proportioned windows and doors. This style influenced many other architectural trends we see today, like the Empire style and Art Deco.

Many famous structures belong to this style, including the United States Capitol, the White House, and the Louvre. All three of these are built out of white limestone and have beautifully designed roofs and pillars.

Another important element of the neoclassic style is the front door. They tend to be very majestic and state-of-the art, just like the rest of the building.

The Russian

In Russia, architecture is an integral part of every culture. Buildings are built with solid materials and elaborate decoration to convey a message and influence how people feel about themselves and their surroundings.

Russia has gone through many different architectural styles and cultures. From the baroque Romanov dynasty to Stalinist heavy-handed propaganda, there have been several significant style periods in Russia’s history.

The neoclassical period (c. 1730–1820) was characterized by clean lines and harmony. Many modern skyscrapers and shopping malls owe much inspiration from this time.

Neofunctionalism or ‘new function’ buildings were constructed during the 1980s, when large scale use of technology made it possible to create structures that do not focus on aesthetics but rather practical functions. An example of this would be a computer factory!

In the early 2000s, postmodernism became popular throughout Europe and North America. This style features irregular shapes and asymmetrical layouts which contradict traditional building forms.

Given enough money, anything can look like a postmodern structure. A famous postmodern design is the Burj Khalifa – considered the tallest building in the world. It is also very expensive, weighing in at over $1 billion.

The Germans

Like most cultures, Germany has its own unique style that is built into everything they make or do. These styles are sometimes referred to as their “style” or “classic” look. This is because these features are integral parts of what it means to be German.

The design elements you will find in buildings and cars made in Germany include classical proportions, emphasis on clean lines and shapes, use of light materials like glass and metal, and decoration that is logical and intuitive.

These qualities can also be seen in how Germans dress themselves. You have probably noticed before that almost everyone dresses very similarly. There are some regional differences (e.g. southern Italians and Spaniards seem to put more color in their clothing), but not enough to really identify where someone comes from.

Architecture is likewise full of such strong classic patterns. Buildings designed by famous architects like Mies van der Rohe or Le Corbusier still bear his or her signature style even if the architect later went off and created something new.

The Dutch

Like most Europeans, the people of the Netherlands have long prized order and cleanliness. They take great pride in their beautiful country that is characterized by its many canals, lush green spaces, and windmills.

This respect for nature extends to how they build their homes. Buildings are designed with lots of glass so you can see the surroundings, natural light filling the space, and roofs that let excess water run off.

Architecture has always reflected the culture of the people it serves, and the Dutch make some of the highest ratings of happiness in the world!

“The way we organize our lives and dwellings has an effect on our well-being,” says Dr. Peter Hoffmann, psychology professor at University College London who studies happiness and wellbeing. “It makes a difference whether we feel organized or not, and if we think what we have is enough or not.

The Italians

Like most cultures, the Italian culture is built upon strong traditions. They are very conscious of their past history and architecture is no exception to that. There have been many changes in styles and types, but some things remain constant.

One thing that has remained relatively stable since ancient times is the importance of the family in society. People who belong to this culture believe that your house can be a representation or expression of what kind of person you are as a person.

This concept was carried over into architectural design. Buildings would show off not only the structure and style of the building, but also how well these buildings fit with the people inside them and those around them.

Another important part of the Italian culture is tradition. Even today, there are still lots of practices like wearing hats during certain events, eating foods together at home and celebrating holidays together as a group.

These habits continue longer than most other cultures’ because they feel more natural to them. Settings and routines that seem normal to one person may look strange to someone else.