What is Architecture?Architecture is the art and science of designingbuildings. Architectural works are often thought of ascultural and political symbols and as works of art. Historical civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements.
Organic ArchitectureOrganic architecture is a philosophyof architecture which promotesharmony between human habitationand the natural world.The term “Organic architecture” wasfirst created by the great Americanarchitect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959), who is still the most famousdesigner to work in this style.
Art Nouveau Art Nouveau is a style of art and architecture that was most popular during 1890– 1910, primarily in Europe. This style was inspired by natural forms and structures, not only in flowers and plants, but also in curved lines. Probably the most famous person to work in this style was Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect whose work can be seen in many places in Barcelona, Spain.
Casa Milà - Barcelona, Spain - Antoni Gaudí - 1912
Sagrada Família – Barcelona, Spain – Antoni Gaudi – 1883-2026
Art DecoArt Deco is an eclectic artistic and design style thatbegan in Paris in the 1920s and flourishedinternationally throughout the 1930s, into theWorld War II era. Art decos linear symmetry was adistinct departure from the flowing asymmetricalorganic curves of its predecessor style Art Nouveau.It was influenced by many different styles of theearly twentieth century, and also drew inspirationfrom ancient Egyptian and Aztec buildings.
Rockefeller Center – New York, NY- Raymond Hood – 1939
The U-Drop Inn – Shamrock, Texas – J.C. Berry – 1936
International styleThe International style was a majorarchitectural style that emerged in the 1920sand 1930s. It is more focused on efficiencythan on decoration. While the Internationalstyle is not popular with many critics, it hasbecome so common today that many peoplethink of it as no style at all.Skyscrapers in the International style have asquare or rectangular footprint, are coveredwith glass windows on the outside, and havefaces at 90-degree angles.
The Seagram Building – NewYork, NY – Ludwig Mies vander Rohe – 1958
Mid-Century modern Mid-Century modern is an architectural, style taken from mid-20th century developments in modern design from roughly 1933 to 1965. This style combines many elements of the earlier styles, like the Art Deco, with curved lines and symmetry, and combines them with some of the simplicity of the International style.
National Congress of Brazil – Brasília, Brazil - Oscar Niemeyer – 1957
Stahl House – Los Angeles, California – Pierre Koenig – 1959
Palácio da Alvorada – Brasília, Brazil - Oscar Niemeyer – 1958
Postmodern architecturePostmodern architecture began as aninternational style the first examples of whichare generally cited as being from the 1950s, butdid not become a movement until the late1970s.In Postmodern architecture, thesimple, functional shapes of the modernist styleare replaced by diverse aesthetics: stylescollide, form is adopted for its own sake, andnew ways of viewing familiar styles are found.
The EMP Museum – Seattle, Washington – Frank Gehry – 2000
Auditorio de Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – Santiago Calatrava Valls – 2003
What do you think?• Which of these architectural styles do you like the best?• What do you think of new buildings that are made to look like buildings from the past?• Do you think that architects should start using traditional styles from your culture in their work?
Walt Disney Concert HallLos Angeles, California
What do you think?• Do your surroundings affect the way you feel?• What do you think about the buildings in this city? What do they say about this place?• What do you think about the interior design of this school? Have you noticed that is has a particular style?• If you had your choice, would you like to live in a modern steel and glass building, or an old- fashioned wood and brick house?