Throughout history, architecture has changed to reflect new technologies, societal norms, and individual interpretations of beauty. Technology shapes how we live our lives every day, so it makes sense that architects are influenced by its use and design.

Architecture is more than just creating buildings; it is a way of thinking about space and time. In fact, some would argue that good architectural theory can be considered a form of philosophy.

This article will discuss several periods in architectural evolution, including Neolithic, Classical, Gothic, Industrial, Post-Modern, and Future. We will also talk about what concepts underlie each style, and why they were influential.

!Disclaimer! This article will contain many pictures and diagrams, which may get annoying for very precise people. If you find such detail boring or difficult to follow, then this article is probably not for you.

The Greek era

During the Archaic period, architecture was mostly shaped by the use of geometry. Ancient Greeks built their homes and temples using shapes such as squares, rectangles, and triangles. They also used straight lines to create very beautiful structures!

Geometry played an important part in ancient architectural styles. For example, the proportion of a square room is one-third longer than it is wide so that there are equal amounts of space inside the room.

The Romans took advantage of this geometry and applied it to their buildings. Many of their structures have proportions similar to those of a square room with rounded corners. There were also many examples of curving walls or roofs.

It was not until the Hellenistic period that more complex forms began to emerge. These included spheres and cylinders which we now know as geometrical solids. Geometric solids are objects made up of several other shapes connected together. Some examples include cones, pyramids, and tetrahedrons.

These types of architectures mixed simple geometric shapes with more complicated ones. It was during this time that we begin to see some of the most well known architectural styles like Roman and Gothic.

The Roman era

During the Roman Empire, which lasted from 264 to 476 AD, architects built using classical principles that have been inherited by later eras. These include the use of columns or vertical structures, arches, and proportionally sized shapes.

The Romans borrowed heavily from their Greek neighbors for architectural ideas. Many of our modern vocabulary terms are traceable back to the Romans, including the word architecture!

Columns were an integral part of Romanesque and Gothic style buildings. They create space within a room or building by creating divisions with spaces in between. An example of this is the way a column creates an area next to it and a wall beyond it.

Arches also played a big role in early structural design. They’re like half-circles where you can see one side only. This creates a sense of mystery and desire to explore the space beyond.

Proportion was another important element used during the Roman period. Things such as proportions of height to width, longer lengths of things (like doors) compared to shorter ones (such as walls), and heavier objects being placed farther away from the ground are all examples.

These basic concepts still apply today when designing anything from homes to office buildings to cathedrals.

The Medieval era

During this period, architecture was mostly defined by two styles: Romanesque and Gothic. Both of these architectures were heavily influenced by classical Greek and Roman structures.

The Romans built many great buildings that still stand today. For example, look at any building with large rounded arches or columns that have intricate patterns. These are direct imports from the Greeks!

Other important features included having proportionally heavier lines (larger objects feel more substantial than smaller ones) and using vertical space efficiently (the use of tall windows, for instance).

These three concepts made up the second most influential style – Gothic. While not as popular now, it was quite famous during its time period. Many cathedrals and churches across Europe used heavy amounts of Gothic influence.

After the Renaissance, which we will discuss next, Gothic became outdated. But before it disappeared, it left some legacy pieces behind. This is why you can find bits and pieces of Gothic design in modern day architects’ work.

The Renaissance era

During this period, architecture was influenced by classical styles of Greece and Rome. Buildings were adorned with columns, volutes (scroll-like shapes), and other decorative motifs. Materials used included marble, granite, bronze, and wood.

Architecture during this time had an emphasis on proportion, symmetry, and unity. For example, the proportions of the human body are based off of those of the divine figure. Unity is achieved through use of similar decorations or materials throughout the structure. Symmetry can be seen in buildings that look identical from every angle.

The Renaissance also emphasized spirituality. Many structures feature sculptures, symbols, or paintings that relate to Christianity, Buddhism, or any other religion.

These spiritual themes add depth to the design and function as architectural decorations. Some examples include Christian crosses, Buddhist imagery, and representations of religious figures such as Krishna, Buddha, or Mohammed.

The Baroque era

During this period, artists experimented more with form and proportion than ever before. Buildings became increasingly elaborate and theatrical. This is what we refer to as the baroque style.

The term baroque comes from the Italian word baerco, which means “to throw up or pile up”. An example of this can be seen in the proportions of the Roman arches. These arch shapes were modified into an intricate pattern that covers the surface area of the structure.

This was carried onto buildings and landscapes. It represented a dramatic expression of excess. All of the decorations had meaning but lost focus after being overwhelmed by the other decorations.

Artists used thick layers of paint to achieve this effect. By using multiple colors and textures, it gave the illusion of depth and complexity.

The Classical era

During this period, architecture flourished under two main themes-the Roman influence and Greek inspiration. Both of these styles were heavily influenced by classical antiquity.

Architects in the Roman Empire built mostly towards practical purposes such as having buildings be aesthetically pleasing to the eye or providing shelter for people. Many famous architects from this time period include Leoricolaus who designed the Parthenon in Greece and Flavius Caesar who designed the Colosseum in Rome.

The Greeks had their own style that was very elaborate and rich with decoration. Buildings during this era featured decorations that matched the natural landscape around them which made the structures more beautiful. Some examples of this are the temples in India and Egypt where the architect incorporated shapes like pyramids into their design.

Modern day architectural designs draw inspiration both directly and indirectly from the Classical periods. Two major influencers that we still see today are Italian Renaissance and Art Deco/Neoclassical.

The Modern era

During this period, architects would begin to experiment with new styles and concepts that would eventually become defining features of what we call the modern style. Some examples include the use of large windows or openings, exposed brick, lines and shapes that are very geometric, and materials like steel and glass.

Modernism was an outgrowth of Neoclassicism. Neo-classical buildings feature strong vertical lines, proportionately sized elements (like doors and windows), and elaborate decorations and patterns. Neoclassic touches can be seen in many current architectural trends, including classic rounded corners, white columns, and so forth.

By incorporating these components into their designs, architects were able to create something unique that still fits within the classical tradition. Materials also became more important as builders used heavier amounts of metals and glass to add depth and importance.

The term “modern” is quite vague, however. What defines the design as modern varies from person to person. Many consider the 1980s to be the height of modern architecture, while others may place the turn of the century as such. No matter when you put the end date at, once you reach it then you have entered the modern era.

Popular architectural styles

While some might argue that there is one true style of architecture, that everything else is simply off-trends or trends, most would agree that there are indeed several major styles that have influenced the way we design buildings.

These styles all share certain characteristics – they are all characterized by their use of strong lines and proportion, they focus on functionality over decoration, and they promote community through shared experiences.

The three main styles are Classical, Gothic, and Neoclassical. Each of these has been replaced or adapted for various reasons in today’s world of technological advances and changing lifestyles, but they still hold up as good examples to follow when it comes to shaping how people perceive space.

Classical architecture was the dominant style from Ancient Greece and Rome right up until the Renaissance. It consisted of large columns and roofs with heavy emphasis placed on structure and function. This style made perfect sense back then because society lived in very structured environments - spaces were defined by pillars and walls!

After the Renaissance though, this classic style began to fall out of fashion. People became more interested in individual expression and decorations than having structures that focused on being solid and powerful.

This new attitude towards building shaped the Neo classical style. Features such as richly decorated ceilings and elaborate molding no longer mattered as much. What did matter was whether the building could be seen from outside or not, and how aesthetically pleasing it was.