Architecture ... This word contains a lot. For centuries, architects have worked, leaving behind them traces of their beautiful works. Many of their creations, unfortunately, are lost in the flow of time. But many have survived to the present day and delight connoisseurs of various types of architecture.
Definition of a concept
Quite a lot has been invested in the concept of architecture. This is, first of all, construction. But the architect is not just building something, building it. He puts craftsmanship into creation, trying to create something new, unique. One ancient architect identified three principles on which architecture is built: strength, usefulness and beauty. Another added a fourth principle - expediency. Of course, these qualities are manifested in every building, park or fountain over which their creators worked.
But architecture is not only just construction. Itβs also the art of creating, designing something for practical use by people, for beauty, strength and convenience. She surrounds us everywhere. Throughout the history of mankind there have always been architects who loved this art and passed on their masterpieces to subsequent generations.
A brief review of the types and styles of architecture helps us to see the world around us not just as a mass or group of figures, buildings, but as separate masterpieces. Let's get acquainted with this wonderful art and find out its features.
The main types of architecture
Architecture, as part of art, has its own areas or directions. Urban planning, landscape and park architecture and volumetric, that is, large structures are the main types of architecture. Separately, we can also mention the interior design, the architecture of small forms and others. But most often the rest are included in one of the three main ones.
Urban planning
This view in modern architecture appeared relatively recently - in the middle of the last century. It includes the design and construction of new settlements: megacities, cities, towns. This is an extensive industry that covers different spheres of human life in a complex, that is, not only housing, but also everything necessary for life in society: schools, hospitals, shops, etc. In this form, not only construction, but also the territory is considered for the location of the future settlement. It is worth noting that urban development is also engaged in the reconstruction and preservation of old buildings, which are of great importance for cities.
Building Architecture
This view plays a large role in architecture. This includes serf and religious buildings, residential buildings of various types and sizes, public buildings such as schools, museums, shops, theaters, stadiums, as well as industrial buildings, various factories, plants, stations. Architects consider, design and build various buildings necessary for society as separate units.
landscape architecture
Among the main types of modern architecture, there is another, no less significant, view. It includes everything related to the improvement of the village, its comfort, aesthetics. Parks, boulevards, streets, squares, squares with their lanterns, monuments, fountains, benches, trees, bushes, fences, billboards are included in the concept of landscape architecture. Specialists in this field are engaged in landscaping areas, territories adjacent to houses and other buildings, as well as the design of gardens and parks, which are a wonderful decoration and a place of rest for their visitors.
Basic architecture styles
As noted, there are different types of architecture. But do not forget about the styles that for centuries have left their mark on everything that surrounds us. Visiting museums and art galleries, going on a tour of the ancient cities of different countries, we are faced with various eras manifested in architecture. Each of the styles is characterized by its own characteristics. Styles are usually subdivided into historical periods. Here are the main ones: antiquity, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance or Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, classicism, modernism, modernism and postmodernism. Let's pay attention to some of them.
Architecture in antiquity
First, let's say a few words about the pre-antique, that is, archaic style. It was characteristic of such ancient states as Assyria, Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. All buildings created before the fifth century BC, it is customary to attribute to this style. What was characteristic of them? Simplicity, rather large stone structures, compliance with geometric shapes and proportions. However, there are differences in the performance of the pre-antique style. In Egypt, for example, there was a certain symmetry, and in Mesopotamia - asymmetry.
Antiquity, as one of the types of architecture, or styles, primarily refers to Ancient Greece. This style was manifested in the construction of residential buildings and temples. If we talk about religious buildings, their features were thick walls, the absence of windows and the presence of holes in the ceiling for light to enter the building. They are inherent in symmetry and rhythm. During this period, a certain system called the order system was founded. She had three directions. The first, which appeared in the fifth century BC, is the Corinthian order. The presence of colonnades was inherent in him. The Doric order, which appeared a century earlier, was distinguished by features of massiveness and severity. And the last, ionic, appeared comparatively later than the rest. Enjoying popularity in Asia Minor, the ionic order had a lighter, more elegant character of the buildings.
The Romans made the order system richer and more luxurious, adding decor and introducing it to the construction of their temples and palaces.
Architectural middle ages
Around the tenth century, a new style appeared, which was called romance in the 19th century. It lasted for two to three centuries. The construction of castles, fortresses, temples and monasteries is inherent in this period of history. They were based on structures that had the form of simple geometric shapes: a cube, a cylinder, a parallelepiped. Gradually, these designs improved, adding various towers and galleries. The beginning of this period is characterized by its painting of the walls, and the end - by stone reliefs on the facades. Monuments of this most peculiar kind of architecture have been preserved in Europe to this day.
In the second half of the 12th century, a new style began to emerge - Gothic. It is inherent in the construction of the frame system with various arches and arches. Mostly he prevailed in the construction of churches and cathedrals, which first began to appear in the northern part of medieval France. For example, a church in this style was built near Paris in the 12th century. With decades, Gothic spread to other countries: in Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, England. Thanks to the Crusades, this style was manifested in the structures of Syria and Cyprus. In the XIV century, they began to build town halls, using the Gothic style to decorate them, and instead of fortresses - palaces.
Gothic is replaced by the Renaissance. In the XV century, this style begins to gain popularity. The Renaissance returns the antique style, adding to it notes of their national traditions and views, as well as materials that were available during this period of time. For the construction of buildings, architects use an order system, as well as its characteristic symmetry, simplicity, proportionality, and horizontalness.
With the complication of designs and structures, the following type of architecture comes in - Baroque, which appeared at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Italy becomes the birthplace of style. Baroque is manifested in the construction of palaces, cathedrals, public buildings. The main distinguishing features of the style are contrast, dynamism, majesty, the combination of illusion and reality, much attention is paid to decor and stucco elements.
Along with baroque appears Rococo style, which existed throughout the XVIII century. Lightness and affability in forms appear, strict symmetry disappears, straight lines and flat surfaces practically disappear. The monuments of the Rococo style that have survived to this day attract us with their playfulness and are easily transferred to that era. The types of architecture of buildings acquire peculiar features.
Classicism, which appeared in the middle of the 18th century and existed throughout the 19th century, is again returning to the antique features: harmony, simplicity and monumentality.
Modern styles
At the junction of the XIX and XX centuries, a new style appears - Art Nouveau. It significantly expands the possibilities in construction with the creation of new materials and technologies. There is a rejection of angles and familiar lines, everything is directed to naturalness.
The next style is the modernism that existed in the 20th century. It includes various subtypes of architecture. It is inherent in the creation of everything new and practical, keeping up with the times.
So, as can be seen from the description of the types of architecture, this art has played and plays a huge role in human life. Its practicality and aesthetics help us enjoy the works of architecture and understand how, over the centuries, humanity has developed, improved, expressing this in various details, features and figures.