3. Theory of Architecture
Definition of Theory:
“A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something,
especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.”
Defining Theory of Architecture:
“Architectural theory is the act of thinking, discussing, and writing about architecture.”
4. Theory of Architecture in Relation to History
History Philosophy Theory of Architecture
Architectural Movements
Expanded Limits / Newer Buildings
Vitruvius
5. The Man Who Formally Started The Idea
3 Principles of Architecture proposed by Vitruvius:
Firmitas - Durability
Utilitas - Utility
Venustatis - Beauty
De Architectura
10. Architectural Periods – A Timeline
11,600 BCE – 3,500 BCE Pre Historic Era
4,500 BCE – 600 BCE Sumerian / Assyrian
3,050 BCE – 900 BCE Ancient Egypt
2000 BCE – 1500 CE Mesoamerican
850 BCE – 479 CE Classical Era
700 BCE – 323 BCE Ancient Greece
323 BCE – 146 BCE Hellenistic
44 BCE – 476 CE Roman Empire
527 – 565 Byzantine
800 – 1200 Romanesque
712 – 1500 Moorish
1100 – 1450 Gothic
1400 – 1600 Renaissance
1600 – 1830 Baroque
1650 – 1790 Rococo
1730 – 1925 Neo-Classicism The Industrial Revolution
1890 – 1914 Art Nouveau Modernist Era starts
1895 – 1925 Beaux Arts
1905 – 1930 Neo-Gothic
1925 – 1937 Art Deco
1900 – Present Modernism
1972 – Present Post-Modernism
1997 – Present Parametricism
11. Pre-Historic Era (11,600 BCE – 3,500 BCE)
Before recorded history, humans constructed earthen mounds, stone circles,
megaliths, and structures that often puzzle modern-day archaeologists.
Prehistoric architecture includes monumental structures such as Stonehenge,
cliff dwellings in the Americas, and thatch and mud structures lost to time. The
dawn of architecture is found in these structures built by man.
Prehistoric builders moved earth and stone into geometric forms, creating our
earliest human-made structures. We don't know why primitive people began
building geometric structures. Archaeologists can only guess that prehistoric
people looked to the heavens to imitate the circular forms of the sun and the
moon, using that natural shape in their creations of earth mounds and
monolithic henges.
The Stonehenge
12. Ancient Egypt (3,050 BCE – 900 BCE)
In ancient Egypt, powerful rulers constructed monumental pyramids, temples,
and shrines. Far from primitive, enormous structures such as the Pyramids of
Giza were feats of engineering capable of reaching great heights.
Wood was not widely available in the arid Egyptian landscape. Houses in
ancient Egypt were made with blocks of sun-baked mud. Flooding of the Nile
River and the ravages of time destroyed most of these ancient homes. Much of
what we know about ancient Egypt is based on great temples and tombs,
which were made with granite and limestone and decorated with
hieroglyphics, carvings, and brightly colored frescoes. The ancient Egyptians
didn't use mortar, so the stones were carefully cut to fit together.
The pyramid form was a marvel of engineering that allowed ancient Egyptians
to build enormous structures. The development of the pyramid form allowed
Egyptians to build enormous tombs for their kings.
Pyramid of Khafre (Giza)
13. Ancient Greece (700 BCE – 323 BCE)
The Doric column was first developed in Greece and it was used for great
temples, including the famous Parthenon in Athens.
Simple Ionic columns were used for smaller temples and building interiors.
Temple of Athena, Acropolis (Athens)
14. Hellenistic (323 BCE – 146 BCE)
When Greece was at the height of its power in Europe and Asia, the empire
built elaborate temples and secular buildings with Ionic and Corinthian
columns. The Hellenistic period ended with conquests by the Roman Empire.
Porch of the Caryatids (Athens)
15. Roman Empire (44 BCE – 476 CE)
The Romans borrowed heavily from the earlier Greek and Hellenistic styles, but
their buildings were more highly ornamented. They used Corinthian and
composite style columns along with decorative brackets. The invention of
concrete allowed the Romans to build arches, vaults, and domes.
The Pantheon (Rome)
16. Byzantine (527 – 565)
After Constantine moved the capital of the Roman empire to Byzantium (now
called Istanbul in Turkey) in A.D. 330, Roman architecture evolved into a
graceful, classically-inspired style that used brick instead of stone, domed
roofs, elaborate mosaics, and classical forms.
Eastern and Western traditions combined in the sacred buildings of the
Byzantine period. Buildings were designed with a central dome that eventually
rose to new heights by using engineering practices refined in the Middle East.
This era of architectural history was transitional and transformational.
Church of Hagia Eirene (Istanbul)
17. Romanesque (800 – 1200)
Even as the Roman Empire faded, Roman ideas reached far across Europe.
Heavier, stocky Romanesque architecture with rounded arches emerged.
Churches and castles of the early Medieval period were constructed with thick
walls and heavy piers.
Basilica of St. Sernin (Toulouse)
18. Gothic (1100 – 1450)
Early in the 12th century, new ways of building meant that cathedrals and
other large buildings could soar to new heights. Gothic architecture became
characterized by the elements that supported taller, more graceful
architecture. Innovations such as pointed arches, flying buttresses, and ribbed
vaulting. In addition, elaborate stained glass could take the place of walls that
no longer were used to support high ceilings. Gargoyles and other
sculpting enabled practical and decorative functions.
Gothic architecture began mainly in France where builders began to adapt the
earlier Romanesque style. Builders were also influenced by the pointed arches
and elaborate stonework of Moorish architecture in Spain.
Notre Dame de Chartres (France)
19. Renaissance (1400 – 1600)
While builders were creating the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe, painters
and sculptors in northern Italy were breaking away from rigid medieval styles
and laying the foundation for the Renaissance. Art historians call the period
between 1200 to 1400 the Early Renaissance.
A return to Classical ideas ushered an "age of awakening" in Italy, France, and
England. During the Renaissance era architects and builders were inspired by
the carefully proportioned buildings of ancient Greece and Rome. Italian
Renaissance master Andrea Palladio helped awaken a passion for classical
architecture when he designed beautiful, highly symmetrical villas such as Villa
Rotonda near Venice, Italy.
Villa Rotonda (near Venice)
20. Baroque (1600 – 1830)
Early in the 1600s, an elaborate new architectural style lavished buildings.
What became known as Baroque was characterized by complex shapes,
extravagant ornaments, opulent paintings, and bold contrasts.
In Italy, the Baroque style is reflected in opulent and dramatic churches with
irregular shapes and extravagant ornamentation. In France, the highly
ornamented Baroque style combines with Classical restraint. Russian
aristocrats were impressed by the Palace of Versailles, France and incorporated
Baroque ideas in the buildings of St. Petersburg. Elements of the elaborate
Baroque style are found throughout Europe.
Palace of Versailles (France)
21. Rococo (1650 – 1790)
During the last phase of the Baroque period, builders constructed graceful
white buildings with sweeping curves. Rococo art and architecture is
characterized by elegant decorative designs with scrolls, vines, shell-shapes,
and delicate geometric patterns.
Rococo architects applied Baroque ideas with a lighter, more graceful touch. In
fact, some historians suggest that Rococo is simply a later phase of the
Baroque period.
Cathrine’s Palace (near St. Petersburg)
25. Assignment
What is Architecture? According to how you have defined architecture, what is
your understanding and how would you personally interpret Architectural Theory?
