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You have probably heard someone say they love Gothic architecture, and wondered what in the world they were talking about?
Or maybe you still confuse modern architecture with minimalism (no shade). Or you have seen an “industrial kitchen” written somewhere, and was confused.
Or maybe none of that, but you’re an enthusiast of architecture and want to know major famous styles that you can learn from as you design the home of your dreams?
I hope today you walk away from this reading with an enlightened mind about architecture styles, because that is what we’ll be exploring today(if it wasn’t painfully obvious lol).
Architecture Styles? What Are Those?
Before you even get to know some of the prominent architecture styles, maybe you should ask yourself (or me actually) what is an architectural style.
To make it easy to understand, think of architectural styles as personalities of a building.
They are ways through which architects design buildings to reflect the ideas, materials, technologies, and cultural values of a particular time and place.
They are kind of like the visual language giving each era or movement its own identity.
Each style has its own look, rules, character, and feel–sometimes dramatic, sometimes minimalist, sometimes playful, sometimes serious.
They often reflect the society and innovations of their time, telling stories about the people who built them.
Take Gothic cathedrals for example, they reach for the sky with pointed arches and stained glass to inspire awe, while Mid-century modern homes focus on simple clean lines, and harmony with nature.
Exploring different architectural styles is like taking a journey through history: you get to see how design evolves, how people live, and how buildings tell stories about those lived experiences.
Major/Popular Architecture Styles Through The Years
Let’s look at architecture through the lens of time with these architecture styles
- Classical Architecture
Classical architecture is based on the principles of ancient Greek and Roman design, with the way it emphasizes balance, proportion, and harmony.
It is a style that celebrates rational order and formal geometry in buildings, and to this day it still influences succeeding architecture movements.
It was developed in the 5th century BC in Greece and Rome, and it has been periodically revived during the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods.
It is characterized by symmetrical and proportional layouts, columns (using the orders of architecture: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), pediments, entablatures, and decorative friezes.
This style puts an emphasis on a sense of permanence and authority. Some famous examples of Classical buildings include: Parthenon in Athens, and Pantheon in Rome.
- Gothic Architecture
Gothic architecture is characterized by grandeur in height, dramatic light, and ornamentation, designed to inspire awe and direct your eyes to the sky.
It’s often used for religious buildings, mostly cathedral, because of how it embodies spirituality in the feel of its spaces.
Gothic architecture originated and was popularized in Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries.
Features that characterize Gothic buildings include: pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, tall spires, and stained glass windows that filter light dramatically into the interior spaces.
Some of the most known examples of gothic architecture include the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, Notre Dame Cathedral and Chartres Cathedral in France
- Romanesque Architecture
When you see Romanesque architecture, you see architecture that embodies solidity and strength.
Because of what it represents, it’s often found in churches and monasteries of the medieval period, and its essence is blending functional fortification with decorative elements.
It was popularized in Europe between the 10th and 12th centuries.
The features of this style include rounded arches, thick stones, small windows, barrel or groin vaults, and decorative arcading. It can be described as feeling heavy and grounded.
Some examples of this style are the Speyer Cathedral in Germany, and the Abbey Church of Sainte Foy in France
- Baroque Architecture
Baroque architecture is dramatic and theatrical; the kind that wants to impress viewers with movement, grandeur, and evoke emotion.
It combines art, architecture, and decoration into a unified performance.
It got popular in the 17th-18th centuries, especially in Italy, France, and central Europe.
It’s often characterized by curved forms, elaborate ornamentation, grand staircases, bold contrasts, and dynamic movement in facade design, often giving a theatrical effect.
Some examples of this style are Palace of Versailles in France, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
- Beaux-Arts Architecture
Beaux-Arts architecture combines classical form with decorative lavishness, emphasizing grand ceremonial spaces and public buildings, taught at Paris’ École des Beaux-Arts.
It came about during the late 19th century into the early 20th century, originating from France and spreading to the US.
Its features include monumental scaling, symmetry, formal planning, decorative sculptures, ornate columns, and impressive staircases.
It is a style inspired by others before it including the classical, baroque, and renaissance architectural styles.
Some examples of this style include the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., Grand Central Terminal in New York, the Paris Opera House in France, and Union Station in Washington D.C.
- Art Nouveau Architecture
Art Nouveau is a style that celebrates natural forms and flowing lines, by integrating decorative arts into architecture to create harmonic and organic designs.
It is known by various names in various places, but the term Art Nouveau is said to have originated in Belgium, and adapted to other countries of Europe between the 1890s and 1910s.
It is characterized by curved lines, floral and plant motifs, intricate ironwork designs, stained glasses, and asymmetrical compositions that feel alive and dynamic.
Some examples of this style include the Hôtel Tassel in Brussels, Belgium, Secession Building in Vienna, Austria, and Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain.
- Art Deco Architecture
It may not be the iconic feeling that you get from Lana Del Ray’s hit song, but she might have been on to something because this style embodies geometric elegance, modernity, and luxury.
It reflects the optimism and technological progress of the early 20th century that was getting popular in fashion, art, and homewares.
It first got popular in France before it spread to the US and the rest of the world between the 1920s and 1940s.
It features strong geometric patterns, bold colors, stepped or ziggurat forms, streamlined surfaces, and use of chrome, decorative glass, steel, aluminium, stucco, and concrete.
Some examples that represent this style well are the Chrysler Building in New York, Palais de Chaillot in Paris, the Empire State Building in New York, and it’s also said to have influenced the Manhattan skyline.
- Bauhaus Architecture
Bauhaus architecture is functional, minimal, and rational, emphasizing simplicity and industrial efficiency over ornamentation.
It came from the influential German school named Staatliches Bauhaus that seeked to help rebuild after the 1st World War.
It embraced the famous philosophy of “form follows function” and that of “less is more”, which we can imagine was heavily influenced by the events around the world at the time.
Bauhaus buildings don’t all look the same, but they are usually characterized by geometric forms, flat roofs, large windows, open floor plans, and the absence of decorative elements, signifying a need for utility and clarity above decorative motives.
Examples include the Bauhaus School in Germany itself, the Gropius House in Massachusetts, and the Fagus Factory in Germany.
- Modernism
Modern architecture was a sensation that took over the late 20th century, with the aim to break historical styles and prioritize function, technology, and clean aesthetics.
It reflects the needs of society during an era of industrial advancement and new ways of living, especially as a response to the growing number of working class that needed functional abd adequate homes.
It is characterized by the use of open plan design, steel and reinforced concrete structures, glass facades, minimalist forms, and an absence of ornamentation.
It is also known for having the 5 pillars of modern architecture (pilotis, open floor plan, free facade, ribbon/horizontal windows, and a roof garden) coined by Le Corbusier who is regarded as one of the fathers of this style/movement.
Examples of this style include Villa Savoye in France, Barcelona Pavilion in Spain, and the Seagram Building in New York.
- Deconstructivism
Deconstructivism fragments traditional forms to create dynamic, unconventional, and sometimes chaotic-looking architecture.
It moves away from the normal, by challenging conventional ideas of order.
It was popularized primarily in the 1980s to the 1990s in Russia and spread to the rest of the world.
Examples of deconstructivist works include Guggenheim Museum in Spain, Walt Disney Concert Hall in California, CCTV Headquarters in China, and Vitra Fire Station in Germany.
- Victorian Architecture
Victorian architecture is eclectic, ornate, and highly decorative, often blending Gothic, Italianate, and Queen Anne influences into romantic compositions.
The term Victorian architecture does not necessarily refer to the style of building, but the era in which it was prominent which was around 1837–1901 during Queen Victoria’s reign.
It often features asymmetrical layouts, bay windows, steep roofs, decorative trims, gables, and bright textured facades.
Examples include Osborne House in the UK, Royal Exhibition Building in Australia, and Painted Ladies in San Francisco.
- Post-Modernism
Post modernism is a movement or architectural style that reacts against Modernism, rejecting its austerity and lack of playfulness by mixing historical references, irony, whimsical and playful decoration with functional form.
It seeks to show that function and lively/playful decoration can co-exist.
It got popular in the 1970s until the 1990s.
It features bold colors, fragmented forms, unexpected ornamentation, references to classical architecture, and often whimsical details.
Examples of Post-Modern architecture include the Sony Center in Germany, Piazza d’Italia in New Orleans, and the Portland Building in Oregon.
- Renaissance Architecture
Renaissance architecture derives its name from the Renaissance period (not the Beyonce album), which was an era of “rebirth”, emphasizing classical notions of beauty based on proportions and symmetry.
It was an influential period that took over the 14th to 17th centuries in Italy and then Europe in general, and among the disciplines it touched was architecture.
Renaissance architecture revives these classical principles of proportion, and symmetry in a way that celebrates rationality and beauty in order.
Its distinguishing features include use of rounded arches, domes, orderly column arrangements, symmetry, and geometrically precise plans.
Examples include Florence Cathedral, Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, Italy, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican
- Industrial Architecture
Industrial architecture celebrates functionality and material honesty, often derived from factories, warehouses, and utilitarian buildings.
It was a response to the mass production of different building materials during the industrial revolution.
It was popular in the 18th to 20th centuries during the industrial revolution.
It usually features exposed steel and bricks, large factory windows, open spaces, and minimal ornamentation.
Some examples of industrial architecture include the Zollverein coal mine industrial complex in Germany, and Tate Modern in the UK
- Brutalism
With its name derived from the french word “béton brut” (rough concrete), this architecture style is the essence of a bold, simple yet heavy appearance with its use of a monochromatic palette of raw unfinished materials like rough concrete.
It stemmed from the rise of modernism and the adoption of simple unadorned functional design in the 1950s till the 1970s.
It is characterized by using rough concrete, blocky forms, geometric repetition, exposed structural elements, and minimal decoration(mainly non ornamental).
Examples of this include Boston City Hall in Boston, Unité d’Habitation in France, and the Church of the Light in Japan.
- Colonial Architecture
Colonial architecture was a style adopted during the colonization of the US by the British colonists in the 16th to the 19th centuries.
It adapts European design to local climates and materials in overseas territories, blending practicality with tradition.
It features symmetry, pitched roofs, verandas, shutters, and simple decorative elements, often combining local materials with European design principles.
A few examples of this style include Colonial Williamsburg in the US, Fort Santiago in Philippines, and Dutch colonial houses in Indonesia.
- Islamic Architecture
Islamic architecture refers to the building traditions developed in regions influenced by Islam. It blends spiritual symbolism with practical design, creating spaces that support worship, community, learning, and daily life.
It isn’t one single style–instead, it evolved across centuries and cultures, from North Africa to South Asia, often merging local building traditions with Islamic values.
It begins in the 7th century with the rise of Islam and continues to evolve to this day, but it was most popular between the 7th and 13th centuries in places like Persia, North Africa, Mughal India, and Ottoman Turkey.
It is recognizable through features like courtyards and gardens, arches, domes, vaults, muqarnas, minarets, ornamentation, and symmetry and proportionality.
Examples include Taj Mahal in India, Alhambra Palace in Spain, Badshahi Mosque in Pakistan, and Shah Mosque in Iran.
- Greek Revival Architecture
Greek Revival draws directly from ancient Greek temples, emphasizing civic ideals, democracy, and classical formality.
It was very prominent in the early to mid 19th century, and was the US’s first national dominant architecture style.
It’s characterized by prominent columns, pediments, heavy cornices, symmetrical facades, and white-painted exteriors.
Examples include the British Museum In the UK, the Second Bank of the United States, and the Tennessee State Capitol.
- Mid-Century Modern Architecture
Mid-century modern architecture focuses on simplicity, functionality, and harmony with nature, reflecting post-war optimism.
It was adopted after the 2nd World War, between the 1940s to the 1970s, and it was heavily influenced by Modernism.
It is identifiable through features like clean lines, open floor plans, flat or low-pitched roofs, large windows, integration with the landscape, experimenting with innovative materials, functionality and efficiency, and minimalist ornamentation.
Some of the examples you can find in this style include the Farnsworth House in Illinois, the Case Study Houses in Los Angeles (like the Eames House), and the TWA Flight Center in New York.
- Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular architecture is rooted in local culture, climate, and materials, often built without formal architectural training
It is hard to say when or where it originated because it is not one specific style, but an original rendition of architecture for each locality in the world, so it is timeless.
Examples include the Rwandan traditional hut house, Japanese minka houses, etc.
- Byzantine Architecture
Byzantine architecture is known for its centralized plans, domes, and lavish interior decoration, reflecting religious authority.
It was primarily developed in the Eastern Roman Empire from the 4th to the 15th centuries.
It is characterized by large domes on pendentives, rounded arches, mosaics, richly decorated interiors, and centralized spatial organization.
Examples of this style include Hagia Sophia in Turkey, Basilica of San Vitale in Italy, and the Church of the Holy Apostles in Greece.
- Expressionist Architecture
Expressionist architecture prioritizes emotion and artistic form, often resulting in dramatic, sculptural, and imaginative buildings.
Buildings bend, twist, and flow, creating spaces that feel alive.
It is a style that was most prominent in the early 20th century, especially between 1910s and 1930s.
It features organic forms, dynamic curves, unusual geometries, dramatic silhouettes, and sculptural structures.
Examples include the Einstein Tower in Germany, the Sweeping Glass Pavilion, Park Groot Vijversburg, in the Netherlands, and the Chilehaus in Germany.
- Neo-Classicism
Neoclassicism revives classical architecture with restrained elegance and grandeur, focusing on clarity and monumental scale.
It wanted to bring back the rich and elegant piece of history but adapted to the social context at the time.
It was a popular style in the 18th century up to the early 19th century.
It is characterized by symmetry, columns, pediments, proportionate layouts, and minimal ornamentation, and it’s often for public buildings.
A few examples of Neoclassical buildings include the White House in the US, and the Panthéon in France.
- Contemporary Architecture
Our final style is an architecture style that reflects current trends, technology, and environmental awareness, blending innovation with sustainability.
It was adopted in the late 20th century and is presently still an active movement/style.
It is characterized by the use of mixed materials, fluid forms, green technologies, open plans, adaptive reuse, and often asymmetrical layouts.
Some examples that capture this style well include the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan, The Shard in the UK, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and Centre Pompidou Metz in France.
A See You Next Time Message
I hope that you are now at least aware that there are more architecture styles than modern and classical, lol.
It was fun reading about some architecture styles while doing research for this post, and there sure are some that I have not mentioned, but I believe these are a good starting point for anyone who wishes to learn more.
Let me know if there’s any you’d have loved learning about, and if you have any questions, comments, crits, or ideas that you’d love to discuss next. See you all soon, bye-bye!
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