planerGO definitions

Architectural styles related to an object.

Ancient Egyptian architecture
Architecture of Ancient Rome: The Architecture of Ancient Rome adopted the external Greek architecture around 12th century B.C. for their own purposes, creating a new architectural style. The Roman use of the arch and their improvements in the use of concrete and bricks facilitated the building of the many aqueducts throughout the empire. The same idea produced numerous bridges. The dome permitted construction of vaulted ceilings and provided large covered public space such as the public baths and basilicas.
Art Deco: Art Deco was an artistic and design style which originated in France in the 1920s and lasted throughout the 1930s and 1940s. It was a direct departure from its predecessor - Art Nouveau. In contrast to Art Nouveau's asymmetrical curves, Art Deco is characterised by linear symmetry and geometric shapes. Its influences come from the early avant-garde styles (Constructivism, Cubism, Futurism and even Rationalism). This style influenced all areas of design, including architecture, interior design, industrial design, fashion, jewellery, as well as the visual arts such as painting, graphic arts and film.
Art Nouveau: International movement and style of art, architecture and applied art (especially the decorative arts) that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905). It is also known as Jugendstil, German for "youth style", named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it, and in Italy, Stile Liberty from the department store in London, Liberty & Co., which popularised the style. A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life. Art Nouveau was underlined by a particular way of thinking about modern society and new production methods, attempting to redefine the meaning and nature of the work of art so that art would not overlook any everyday object, no matter how utilitarian.
Baroque: This architecture style appeared in Rome and was developed since the first years of XVII century to almost all the XVIII century. Was born on Rome and was expanded everywhere. The main characteristic was the use of compositions which mixed curved lines, ellipses and spirals and complex figures. On late years of XVIII century adopted an over expressed baroque form which was called Rococo style.
Byzantine architecture
Cast-Iron: Cast-iron architecture is a form of architecture where cast iron plays a central role. It was a prominent style in the Industrial Revolution era when cast iron was relatively cheap and modern steel had not yet been developed.
Classical Greek: Kind of architecture developed in ancient Greece since first millennium BC to second century BC. It was composed by three orders: Doric, ionic and Corinthian. Main characteristics of ancient Greek architecture are their forms, equilibrium in traces, with harmony and perfection. Common materials of Greek architecture were wood, used for supports and roof beams; plaster, used for sinks and bathtubs; unbaked brick, used for walls, especially for private homes; limestone and marble, used for columns, walls, and upper portions of temples and public buildings; terracotta, used for roof tiles and ornaments; and metals, especially bronze, used for decorative details.
Contemporary architecture: architecture of the 21st century.
Deconstructivism: Deconstructivism also called Deconstruction, is a development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s. It is characterized by ideas of fragmentation, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure's surface or skin, non-rectilinear shapes which serve to distort and dislocate some of the elements of architecture, such as structure and envelope. The finished visual appearance of buildings that exhibit the many deconstructivist "styles" is characterized by a stimulating unpredictability and a controlled chaos.
Early Christian Architecture: Style of architecture developed from the 1st century to the 6th century AD since the advent of Christianity in ancient Rome to the invasion of the barbarians. The most characteristic building of this architecture style, apart from catacombs, were the basilicas. The basilicas were built with a rectangular nave and sometimes the nave was crossed by a transept shaping the classical Christian cross. The main entrance was an atrium with a fountain, the ancestor of the cloister. Almost all the relevant buildings in this style are located in Rome.
Eclecticism: Eclectic architecture, developed in XIX and beginning of XX century was an architecture based on mixing different styles instead of romantic architecture style.
Georgian Architecture: Georgian architecture was an architectural style in England between 1714 and 1830. Its name comes after the English kings which ruled England during that period: King George I, George II, George III and George IV. It is characterized by classical proportions - simple mathematical ratios were used to determine the height of a window in relation to its width or the cube shape of a room. The Georgian structures were regular and symmetrical. The most common building materials used were brick or stone.
Gothic: Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Originating in 12th century France and lasting into the 16th century, Gothic architecture was known during the period as "the French Style" (Opus Francigenum), with the term Gothic first appearing during the latter part of the Renaissance. Its characteristic features include the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress.
High-Tech Architecture: High-tech architecture (Late Modernism or Structural Expressionism), is an architectural style that emerged in the 1970s, incorporating elements of high-tech industry and technology into building design. Characteristics of high-tech architecture have varied somewhat, yet all have accentuated technical elements. They included the prominent display of the building's technical and functional components, and an orderly arrangement and use of pre-fabricated elements. Glass walls and steel frames were also immensely popular.
Historicism - Revival Architecture: Historicism as an architecture style was developed during XIX century and first years of XX. The main idea was the imitation or revival of early styles, such as Baroque or Gothic and the addition of current features. The most important were neogothic, neobaroque, neobyzantism and many others.
Islamic architecture
Medieval: Medieval architecture was a style embracing many different styles, such as the Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Islamic, which were present in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages, the period between the 5th and 15th century.
Modern Architecture: Modern architecture is characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. Developed along the 20th century. Modern architecture was adopted by many influential architects and architectural educators, gained popularity after the Second World War, and continues as a dominant architectural style for institutional and corporate buildings in the 21st century. Modern architecture is usually characterized by an adoption of the principle that the materials and functional requirements determine the result , an adoption of the machine aesthetic, an emphasis of horizontal and vertical lines, a creation of ornament using the structure and theme of the building, or a rejection of ornamentation and a simplification of form and elimination of "unnecessary detail” (Form follows function) See also: Brutalism (Le Corbusier)
Mudéjar style: The Mudéjar style, a symbiosis of techniques and ways of understanding architecture resulting from Muslim and Christian cultures living side by side, emerged as an architectural style in the 12th century on the Iberian peninsula. It is characterised by the use of brick as the main material.
Neo-Byzantine: Neo-Byzantine architecture, also known as Byzantine Revival, is an architectural movement which started in the 1840s. Neo-Byzantine architecture incorporates elements of the Byzantine style and Eastern and Orthodox Christian architecture. This style is characterized by arches and domes built with brick and stucco as main building materials.
Neoclassical: Neoclassical architecture, also called Late Baroque and Romantic Classicism was an architecture style, which began in the mid-18th century and was developed during the 19th century. Characterised by the reaction with the precedent style (Baroque and rococo). The main feature was the return to classical styles from Greece and Rome.
Noucentism: Architectural movement born in reaction to Catalan modernism (Also know as Art Nouveau). The promoter of this movement was the Catalan bourgeoisie, who wanted to get a new society, modern and open to other countries. Noucentisme thought that the essence of Catalan identity was in the serenity and balance of classicism.
Organic Architecture: Architecture style which promotes harmony between human habitat and the natural world. Drift of rationalism (and in turn of modernism), was promoted by Frank Lloyd Wright during the decade of the 30's. While accepting assumptions of rationalism, the fact is that their shapes are much more complex in that they have to include human constructions in natural forms.
Postmodern Architecture: Postmodern architecture began as a movement on late 1970s and continues to influence present-day architecture. Postmodernity in architecture is generally thought to be heralded by the return of "wit, ornament and reference" to architecture in response to the formalism of the International Style of modernism.
Rationalism: Architecture style, related with modern architecture that appeared in Europe after I World War. Its main characteristic is the simplification of architecture leaving only the essential parts reaching its goal as a minimum possible expression, and also the cheapest one. It began just when Europe needs this kind of buildings because of the wars and years between wars period. Buildings are based on axial symmetry and the use of 'new' materials such as steel, concrete and glass are limited. It began at Bauhaus school in Germany.
Renaissance: Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries and was developed in different regions of Europe in which there was a revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman. Stylistically, Renaissance architecture followed Gothic architecture and was succeeded by Baroque architecture. Developed first in Florence, with Filippo Brunelleschi as one of its innovators, the Renaissance style quickly spread to other Italian cities and then to France, Germany, England, Russia and elsewhere. Includes two periods known as Quattrocento and Cinquecento. This last one is divided into High Renaissance and Manierism (which will be the origin of Baroque). Principal features are the use of columns, pilasters and lintels, as well as the use of semicircular arches, hemispherical domes that replaced the more complex proportional systems and irregular profiles of Gothic.
Romanesque: Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe, characterized by semi-circular arches and pointed arches, beginning in the 12th century. Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, its thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading. Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity when compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow. The style can be identified right across Europe, despite regional characteristics and different materials.
Socialist realism: Is a term given to architecture of the Soviet Union under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, between 1934 and 1954. Style developed in Soviet Russia and then spread to other socialist countries. Architecture was declared a key weapon in the creation of a new social order. It was intended to help spread the communist ideology by influencing citizens' consciousness as well as their outlook on life. Formally inspired by Neoclassicism as well as the local folk art, socrealism served strictly political and pro-Soviet propaganda purposes. The buildings are characterized by monumental scale, symmetry, and the use of many different decorative elements parapet, columns, pilasters high. The urban planning was focused on creating broad city streets and huge squares, which were suppose to be places where life of citizens focuses.

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