CLASSICAL – a style developed by ancient Greeks and Romans. Classical buildings are made by layering stones on top of one another or by placing beams across columns. Classical buildings often include arches, domes and vaults.
Example: Pantheon; Rome, Italy; completed around 128 A.D.
GOTHIC – a style that began in Europe in the 12th century and features pointed arches and windows. In Gothic architecture, windows and glass are often painted with fancy stone works.
Example: Reims Cathedral; Reims, France; built between 1211 and 1311.
RENAISSANCE – a style developed in the early 15th century that shows a return to the more classical styles of ancient times. Renaissance architecture was a move away from the fancier Gothic style and often times includes carved statutes built into the walls and within aches and buildings.
Example: St. Peter’s Basilica; Rome, Italy; built between 1546 and 1590.
BAROQUE – Beginning in the early 17th century in Europe, architects and designers designed ornate buildings, which means that the building had flowery details and flashy decoration. This style was so popular through the 18th century.
Example: the Palace of Versailles, France; built between 1661 and 1710.
NEOCLASSICAL – This style is yet another return to the classical style after the extreme decoration of the Baroque period.
Example: US Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.; begun in 1793, and added to, rebuilt, repaired and renovated many times since.
MODERN – Popular in the 1920’s, modern features includes spare, useful designs made of steel and glass as well as sleek stone.
Example: Bauhaus Building; Dessau, Germany; built in 1925.
ART DECO – Developed in 1930’s, this style features stylized metal works on stone.
Example: Chrysler Building; New York, New York; built in 1930.
Some Modern Day Buildings
The Guggenheim Museum; New York, New York; completed in 1959.
Fascinating features:
Most of the building’s exterior was created without corners.
Visitors never need to retrace their steps. They can take the elevator to the top floor and walk down a circular path, seeing each object of art just once.
When the building opened, some artists criticized the building, saying that the building is more exciting than the artworks inside.
The Guggenheim Museum; Bilbao, Spain; completed in 1997.
Fascinating features:
Its curved walls catch and reflect light. At anytime of the day, different sides of the building reflects sunlight.
Situated in a port city, it is designed to resemble a ship.
It is made of glass, titanium and limestone.
The Hearst Building; New York, New York; completed in 2006.
Fascinating features:
The Hearst Building was built oven a stone 1928 landmark building.
It uses 25% less energy to run than other similar-sized buildings.
To create its grid like design, builders used 20% less steel than is normally used for a building this size.
The Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower); Dubai, United Arab Emirates; completed in 2009.
Fascinating features:
At 2,717 feet (828 meters), the Burj Dubai is the world’ tallest building and the tallest man-made object ever. Its 78th floor swimming pool is also the world’s highest swimming pool. More than 5,000 workers had taken part in the construction of the tower. Designed to house more than 35,000 people, the construction features hotel rooms, apartments, offices and other spaces.