Architectural

styles
Vasile Alecsandri University
Faculty of health, sport and human movement science
Study program: Ocupational Therapy
Year II
Group: 5209A

Gabriela Gora
Anda Irimescu
Andreea Meluţă
Ariana Mitrea
Mihaela Pălădescu
 An architectural style is characterized by the features that make a building or other structure notable
and historically identifiable. A style may include such elements as form, method of construction, building
materials, and regional character. Most architecture can be classified as a chronology of styles which change
over time reflecting changing fashions, beliefs and religions, or the emergence of new ideas, technology, or
materials which make new styles possible.

Styles therefore emerge from the history of a society and are documented in the subject of
architectural history. At any time several styles may be fashionable, and when a style changes it usually does
so gradually, as architects learn and adapt to new ideas. Styles often spread to other places, so that the style
at its source continues to develop in new ways while other countries follow with their own twist. A style may
also spread through colonialism, either by foreign colonies learning from their home country, or by settlers
moving to a new land. After a style has gone out of fashion, there are often revivals and re-interpretations.
For instance, classicism has been revived many times and found new life as neoclassicism. Each time it is
revived, it is different.
 Neo-futurism is a late-20th/early-21st century architectural style. It evolved out of high-tech architecture,
developing many of the same themes and ideas. It is seen as a departure from the more skeptical and referential
style of post-modernism, and more of an idealistic approach to the future. It aims to rethink the aesthetics and
functionality of rapidly growing urban areas.
The movement has its origins in the mid-20 th century structural expressionist work of the Finnish
architects Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen, as well as the Danish architects Henning Larsen and Jorn Utzon, and
other pioneers such as Buckminster Fuller.
Neo-futurism incorporates urban design that is in touch with human emotions, eco-sustainability, ethical
values, and the use of new materials and technologies.
 Neo-futurism has been applied
to all kinds of different building and
product designs, including hotels,
skyscrapers, and even park benches.
Neo-futurism is in many ways a
highly imaginative and exciting
style, which can often challenge the
boundaries of more traditional
structures. Even today, Neo-futurism
is a style that articulates a clear
enthusiasm for technology and the
space age.
 The marvelous thing about these
buildings is that each one is unique,
distinguishing itself from other neo-futuristic
structures as well as other modern architectural
design styles. They also tend to vary in size
and may sometimes feature plenty of sleek
materials like glass, aluminum, and steel in
their construction.
The Heydar Aliyev cultural center in
Baku, Azerbaijan, for example, features a fluid
exterior with an overall structure that
eliminates sharp angles. Its walls appear to
flow continuously as if to resemble a wave
spreading across the all-glass front of the
building.
 At a glance, Baroque architecture resembles building techniques from the Renaissance.
However, Baroque architects were distinctly more theatrical. They intentionally altered classical
elements so that buildings were more ostentatious and evocative.
Baroque architecture is a highly opulent style of building, design and art that originated in
Italy during the 17th century and spread to the rest of Europe, and eventually, the U.S. It's
characterized by extremely detailed forms, marble, large-scale decoration, and bright colors.
Baroque style was meant to represent the glory of the Roman Catholic Church.
Some examples of Baroque architecture:
 Palace of Versailles, Versailles
 St. Peter's Square, Vatican
 Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg
  St. George's Cathedral, Timișoara
 Bánffy Palace, Cluj-Napoca
 In general, Baroque architecture evolved in response
to a tumultuous period that began in the 16th century. Those
in power wanted to use architecture and art as a way to
exhibit strength, wealth, and prominence. Nowhere is this
more prominent than in the Catholic Church’s response to
the Protestant Reformation. 
During this time, religious leaders could sway the
culture and the art forms that became famous. For the
Catholic Church, the most significant way to retain this
influence was to produce grandiose churches and
cathedrals. 
Commissioned artists and architects began to revive
Renaissance notions of beauty and realism, only this time
in an even more ornate and extravagant fashion. During the
Baroque period, artists established several new techniques
that were intended to evoke emotion and loyalty. 
 It can be difficult to distinguish between
architectural styles, especially when builders
incorporate forms from different styles. These are key
elements in Baroque architecture:
• Large domes or cupolas: these domes were
generally positioned at the center of a building.
• Elaborate motifs and decorations: details are
incredibly intricate, which added to the
extravagance and sacredness of the space.
• Gilded sculpture on the interior and exterior:
statues were made from plaster or marble and
included high contrasting colors and textures.
• Attention-grabbing features: these might include
curved walls, painted ceilings, vaulted ceilings,
columns, sculptures, arches, niches, fountains,
scrolling, broken pediments, etc. Many of these
elements give off a sense of motion known
as dynamism.
• Double-sloped mansard roof: this roofing element
is a key feature of French Baroque architecture and
was incorporated in many châteaux or country
mansions.
 Modern architecture or modernist architecture is architecture defined by the use of innovative and new
building technologies, in particular the use of steel, reinforced concrete and glass. The central idea of modern
architecture is that form should follow function and embrace minimalism. There is also a clear rejection of
ornamentation in modernist architecture. The modern movement was not short-lived, and it encompasses
several sub-styles that span nearly 60 years.
Since there are so many styles of modern architecture, there are several defining characteristics.
 Clean, minimal lines. These lines lack additional ornamentation and are generally a consistent, smooth
texture.
 Broad roof overhangs. Several modern homes emphasize low, horizontal structures with large roof
overhangs.
 Walls of glass and large windows. You will find a very generous use of glass, which allows a significant
amount of natural light into the interior.
 Open and well-defined floorplans. Since modern architecture focuses on form over function, architects
sought to include large, spacious floorplans with dining and living spaces that flowed into one another.
 Modern and traditional building materials. Some common materials in modern homes include steel,
concrete block, iron, and glass. More conventional building materials like wood, brick, and stone were
used in more straightforward ways to show off their natural beauty.
 London
Paris
A city unparalleled in terms of architecture
and not only, London stands out through a Perhaps one of the most beautiful cities
few brilliant examples of modern in terms of traditional architecture, Paris
architecture. The history of the city, the is also a great center of modern art.
economic power and the cultural diversity Among the reference buildings are the
have contributed to an architectural Pompidou Center, the pyramid at the
development that gave birth to modern Louvre and the Arch of Defense. The
constructions of great interest. The Georges Pompidou cultural center is
Gherkin, London's cigar-shaped building, dedicated to modern and contemporary
stands up imposingly against a backdrop of creation and was also designed in the
traditional buildings in the city centre, such same manner. The building is a perfect
as Tower Bridge or the Tower of London, example of high-tech architecture and
and the glass top of the edifice offers an unconventional thinking in that it is built
unforgettable panoramic view. Another "inside out". Pipes, stairs and other
landmark of contemporary architecture of tubular shapes are found outside the
London is the London Eye, which managed building, as if the skeleton of the building
to be for the capital of Great Britain what were fully exposed.
was the Eiffel Tower for Paris – an iconic
modern symbol.
 Beijing
Known for its ancient architecture, Beijing also surprises its visitors with some of the
most daring architectural projects of the present. And the surprise starts from the first step
you take. The futuristic Terminal 3 of Beijing Airport designed by Norman Foster
symbolizes the country's economic prosperity and fits perfectly with the preference for
grandeur of traditional Chinese monuments. Another landmark for modern architecture is
the Olympic Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest. Although 5 years have passed since the
end of the Olympics, the stadium is still a touristic point that attracts millions of people from
all over the world.
 Gothic Arhitecture began in the earlier 12th century in northwest France and England
and spread throughout Latin Europe in the 13 th century; by 1300, a first “international
style” of Gothic had developed, with common design features.
Abbot Suger, the author of Gothic Architecture, started from Romanesque style,
adding a perfect geometrical harmony: tall towers pointing toward Heaven and rooms
flooded with a miraculous light. The first church design with gothic arhitecture was The
Basilica of Saint-Denis in France. The style beggin with tall and elegance pointing towers,
and rooms has more colored windows where light flows freely inside to bless the people.
The word ,,Gothic’’ come from Goths, thousands years ago, those were a group of
Germanic barbarians who invaded and looted of the Western Roman Empire. Suger called
his new style ,,Modern” but the critics named Gothic because they considered the church
was unrefined,barbaric and non-roman.
The characteries of this style are:
1. Pointed arch: Created from his predecessor, semicurlar
had these ,,Strees Lines” , which means the direction in
which an arch distributes the pressure above it. The
elements need less support from the walls, because of
horizontal redirection force.
2. Ribbed vault: A vault is essentially and extended arch
of mansory used to roof a building. This design did not
need massive bulk to sustain ce construction and the spaces
could be filled with glass that can be painted.
3. Flying Buttress: Because of the massive pressure on the
construction, focused in few areas, they decided to build an
extra support. The Flying Buttress suport the piers on
Gothic Cathedrals from ouside of the building, right to the
point where the stress lines push out. This design support
unimaginable heights than his predecessors and helped the
light come inside because it was just a skeleton
 An example in our country is The Black
Church, Brasov, completed during in the 15 th
century.
The Cologne Cathedral: Hovering above the
roofs and chimneys of the city, the
magnificent Cologne Cathedral is the
largest Gothic church in northern Europe,
featuring immense twin towers that stand 157
meters tall. Its foundation stone was laid on
August 15th, 1248
Notre Dame, Paris: One of the famous of the
Gothic cathedrals is Notre Dame of Paris,
distinguished for its size and antiquity, one of the
finest examples.
1. Greek arhitecture: The begining of greek arhitecture are meet in Creta.
A. Creta: The main constructive building is the souveran palace, where the chambers was around a central court.
The palace of Cnossos, built in 1500 before Christ, was formed by over one thousand chambers on diferent
levels that was alimentated with water pipes with sewarage and healt care sistems. The cretan fortress doesn’t
have mesopotamian aspect because the danger of outside invasion was lower.
B. Troy: The settlements from Troy are mostly megaron constructions. They mostly used rock, raw brick or
wood but from seven century they used marble. The temples was raising on colums that could be:
- Dorice: robust with strong forms and simple decorations;
- Ionian : more supple with round lines with more elegant decorations;
- Corinthian: heave decorated like a basker of spectacular plants;
C. Greek buildings:
 Agora: public market, spiritual, politic and comercial centre
 Theater: public space for shows that had an important place on
greek world, here was representations of antic tragedies and
comedies, the shows had place twice a year, spring and
autumn for the god Dionysos;
 Stadium: public place for olympics and sportive competitions.
2. Roman arhitecture: The roman made entrace materials like
cement. The base of roman buildings was based on rock and
concrete vaults and concrete, and not on posts and beams like
greek arhitecture. The vault and cupolas allowed the romans to
build bigger spaces without the usage of intermediate support
pillars.
A. Forum: the centre of the city, the place of all residents of
fortress; Example: the ones raised but Cezar, Augustus, Traian,
Nerva;
B. Theater, amphitheater, odeon, stadium,
circus: buildings made for entertaiment;
Example: Colosseum, Theater of Marcellys,
Amphitheater from Arles, Nimes,Verona;

C. The memorials: was build not only for heros

but also the glorify the emperor; Exemple:
triumphal archers of emperors Septium Sever,
Titus, Traian, Constantin, Column of Traian;
 Bibliografie:

• Neo-futurism - Designing Buildings

• https://www.digitalschool.ca/neo-futurism-overview-students-architecture-tra
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• https://www.thespruce.com/baroque-architecture-4797911
• https://historylists.org/architecture/10-masterpieces-of-baroque-architecture.h
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• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_architecture#Characteristics
• https://www.thespruce.com/modern-architecture-4797910
• https://www.misiuneacasa.ro/arhitectura-moderna-3-orase-iconice
• https://docplayer.ro/154919185-Arhitectura-greco-romana-curs-3-1-arhitectur
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