The Great Pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge, the Colosseum, Machu Picchu - human beings are responsible for some of the most extraordinary feats of engineering that we still see standing today. Architecture is an art form of a unique category due to the complexity, grandeur, and artistic elements incorporated into the structures. Completely describing the history of architecture would take many books, a couple of doctorate degrees, and a passion for all things related to architecture to encompass the subject and do justice to the topic. Architecture can also be examined in the evolution of how the purpose, style, and durability has changed over the many years.
Architecture has always served a purpose in designing structures for survival and communal reasons. As time has advanced, it has become evident that the purpose has changed to encompass more people in one building, but not take up as much room, which caused the introduction of the idea of skyscrapers. …show more content…
A connection can be made that the purpose of architecture in any given period often correlates with the main functions in society at the time. When looking back at ancient architectural ideals, two main functions are evident based on society at the time. Architecture served the purpose of consolidating security and power, and served to please the gods. This justified the amount of governmental and religious complexes, the Greeks and Romans often built temples in honor of different gods that they might believe protected them or looked over them. The change in purpose can be seen when comparing Gothic architecture to modern architecture. Gothic buildings were often grandeur complexes that did not always optimize the building materials, characteristics include a large size and many columns that took up space and other adornments. Compared to modern architecture, architects often try to minimize and optimize building materials, this results in vertical architecture, where designers tend to build upward to utilize space. Traits that have endured time and are evident in most architectural periods include the aesthetic aspect, functionality, and the influence of major art movements. Aesthetics are always a key part of society, people want to look at objects that please their eyes, and architecture serves as a great medium to produce art. Many architectural projects can be seen serving some sort of public function, and this can be interpreted in different ways. Some are obvious, like a house or a church, while others are somewhat hidden, like a victory arch or art statement that serves more of a visual purpose. And with architecture playing parts in functionality and aesthetics, its style was strongly influenced by the art movement of the time. Architectural style has never been a stationary concept; it has changed and evolved over history as society and culture has also evolved. Multiple styles can also be seen at once, and styles can be unique to different regions. Architecture also serves as a great source of evidence and provides insight into past eras, cultures, and societies. Societies built structures based on need or entertainment and they were geared towards the culture and the way of life of the group. Styles and artistic periods can be affected by climate, available materials, environment, economies, and labor systems, and the structures left behind help to tell the history. As you examine the history of architecture, different aspects change and evolve over time, like size, materials, purpose, and artistic elements, and sometimes these elements even make a comeback. Looking back at Ancient Egypt, we see one of the most incredible feats of human engineering – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Rulers of the time wanted to construct monumental structures to both exhibit power and show respect to the gods. Even these massive structures were influenced by environment, they were built close to water sources and material sources and utilized a massive work force (Hamlin 6-7). Moving on to Greek and Roman times, mathematics was built upon and buildings were constructed according to precise laws or symmetry and order. The Pantheon, a Roman temple, is a perfect example of this order and symmetry. Built by Michelangelo, a few of these characteristics include the rotundas diameter being equal to its height and each of the vaults being equal in symmetry
Architecture has always served a purpose in designing structures for survival and communal reasons. As time has advanced, it has become evident that the purpose has changed to encompass more people in one building, but not take up as much room, which caused the introduction of the idea of skyscrapers. …show more content…
A connection can be made that the purpose of architecture in any given period often correlates with the main functions in society at the time. When looking back at ancient architectural ideals, two main functions are evident based on society at the time. Architecture served the purpose of consolidating security and power, and served to please the gods. This justified the amount of governmental and religious complexes, the Greeks and Romans often built temples in honor of different gods that they might believe protected them or looked over them. The change in purpose can be seen when comparing Gothic architecture to modern architecture. Gothic buildings were often grandeur complexes that did not always optimize the building materials, characteristics include a large size and many columns that took up space and other adornments. Compared to modern architecture, architects often try to minimize and optimize building materials, this results in vertical architecture, where designers tend to build upward to utilize space. Traits that have endured time and are evident in most architectural periods include the aesthetic aspect, functionality, and the influence of major art movements. Aesthetics are always a key part of society, people want to look at objects that please their eyes, and architecture serves as a great medium to produce art. Many architectural projects can be seen serving some sort of public function, and this can be interpreted in different ways. Some are obvious, like a house or a church, while others are somewhat hidden, like a victory arch or art statement that serves more of a visual purpose. And with architecture playing parts in functionality and aesthetics, its style was strongly influenced by the art movement of the time. Architectural style has never been a stationary concept; it has changed and evolved over history as society and culture has also evolved. Multiple styles can also be seen at once, and styles can be unique to different regions. Architecture also serves as a great source of evidence and provides insight into past eras, cultures, and societies. Societies built structures based on need or entertainment and they were geared towards the culture and the way of life of the group. Styles and artistic periods can be affected by climate, available materials, environment, economies, and labor systems, and the structures left behind help to tell the history. As you examine the history of architecture, different aspects change and evolve over time, like size, materials, purpose, and artistic elements, and sometimes these elements even make a comeback. Looking back at Ancient Egypt, we see one of the most incredible feats of human engineering – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Rulers of the time wanted to construct monumental structures to both exhibit power and show respect to the gods. Even these massive structures were influenced by environment, they were built close to water sources and material sources and utilized a massive work force (Hamlin 6-7). Moving on to Greek and Roman times, mathematics was built upon and buildings were constructed according to precise laws or symmetry and order. The Pantheon, a Roman temple, is a perfect example of this order and symmetry. Built by Michelangelo, a few of these characteristics include the rotundas diameter being equal to its height and each of the vaults being equal in symmetry