The Development of Architecture

The Development of
Architecture
Architecture in the
Ancient World
Architecture of Mesopotamia
The temple became the predominant building type in

Mesopotamia. Since there was no local supply of stone,
mud bricks and fired bricks were the principal building
materials
1. Architecture of the Sumerians – the typical building of
the Sumerians was the ziggurat. The architectural
emphasis is a centralized arrangement of the structure
which has a vertical axis that conveys a sense of
stability and order. The template on top of the ziggurat
represents the god-centered structure of the society and
this society’s dependence on God.
2. Architecture of the Assyrians – the place of King
Sargon II stood as a representative of the Assyrian
sculpture. It was built above the ground level of the city
to impart the idea of the King stood between the gods
and his people.
3. Architecture of the Neo-Babylonians (575 BC) – the
Ishtar-Gate in Babylon was built for King
Nebuchadnezzar II. This gate is lined with several
beasts done in brightly colored glazed bricks dedicated
to the goddess Ishtar.
4. Architecture of the Persians – The Royal Palace at
Persepolis is a representative of Persian architecture.
The repetitive vertical line represented by columns and
ceremonial figures is the overriding element of form
displayed in the Royal Palace.
Architecture of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptian Architecture in the valley of the Nile

used readily available materials such as seeds, papyrus,
and palm branch ribs. Timber and wood were utilized
more than stone. The two types of Egyptian
Architecture are the simple steriometric shape of mass
and rhythmically articulated columnar hall.
1. Architecture of the Old Kingdom (3000-2130 BC)
The mastaba, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, and the
Pyramids at Giza are examples of architecture built
during this period.
The mastaba is a rectangular brick or stone structure with
slopping flat or recessed sides, erected over
subterranean tomb chamber. The simple steriometric
and solid form of the mastaba expressed the Egyptian
aspiration for permanence, security, and concern for
afterlife.
The Step Pyramid of Zoser is a complex structure
consisting of an enclosed rectangle of 545 x 278 outlets
surrounded by a 10-meter high wall of limestone. The
architectural form of this pyramid coveys the
supremacy and power of the king even after his death.
The Pyramids at Giza signify the height of the pharaonic
power. The form symbolizes permanence, stability, and
transcendence.
2. Architecture of the Middle Kingdom (2130-1580 BC)
Among the characteristic remains of the Middle Kingdom
are the rock-cut tombs at Beni-Hasan. Frosted by a
shallow columned portico , the tombs contained the
fundamental units of Egyptian culture: portico or
vestibule, columned hall, and scared chamber.
Architecture of the New Kingdom (1580 – 322 BC)
An example of an architectural masterpiece in this period
was the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut located
at Deir el – Bahri. It was constructed in 1500 BC.
The mortuary temple represents another
version of the combination of the
horizontal and vertical axes. The
structure arises from the valley floor in
three colonnaded terraces connected by
ramps. This temple provided adequate
setting for the religious services to a
deified queen. The architectural style
and form in this period was focused on
sequences, progression, symmetry,
balance, and harmony with the natural
setting.
Aegean and Ancient Greek Architecture
1. Aegean Architecture (1600-1200 BC)
The Palace at Knossos, Crete has an oblong shape of the
court and the general layout of the palace shows a
centralized arrangement. The arrangement of the jars
and drainage system testifies to efficiency and
practicality.
2. The Mycenacan Architecture (1400-1200 BC)
The Citadel of Tiryns consisted of heavy walls that reveal
a defensive character. Through the walls, at intervals,
run corbeled galleries, which probably served defensive
purposes. The architectural form of this era signified
security and safety; perhaps also dominance and power.
3. Ancient Greek Architecture
It is usually columnar and trabeated. The columns taper
towards the top. The effect is a mascular-like human
quality of the columns. The spacing of the columns
towards the corners is sometimes narrower, which also
makes for a better, dynamic visual appearance.
In elevation, the Greek temple consists of three parts: the
platform or base, the columns, and the superstructure or
entablature. The combination of the three parts is called
an architectural order.
Etruscan and Ancient Roman
Architecture
The Etruscan house was a simple rectangular structure
which grew progressively more complex. The Etruscan
Roman architecture is a combination of axis and center.
The Romans were the first to develop interior
architectural space on a large scale.
Architecture in the
Medieval World
Early Christian and Byzantine
Architecture
Its architecture consisted of two building types:
the Christian Basilica, a rectangular building with an apse
for the altar at one end, and as far as the form is
concerned, based on the straight line, interpreted as path.
the Marytium, a circular building interpreted as center
Byzantine architecture creating a totally spiritualized
space. The dome of heaven served as a point of
departure. This is reached only after passing through
some preparatory low and difficult spaces, symbolizing
the necessary persistent effort a Christian must exert to
reach his final destination.
Islamic Architecture (850-1600 AD)
The most important contribution of Islamic architecture is

the development of a new kind of interior space, using
the Roman and Byzantine dome as a point of departure.
Besides the mosque as the principal building types of
Islam architecture, there were the palace, tomb, and the
fort.
Carolingian, Ottonian, and Romanesque
Architecture (800-900AD)
Carolingian architecture was characterized by an

emphasis on the westwork, on the temporal power of
the emperor. The Pope and the emperor join hands in
perfect quality.
Ottonian architecture is an architectural style which
flourished during the reign of Emperor Otto the Great
(936-975). The style was developed in the mid-10th
century and lasted until the mid-11th century.
Romanesque architecture (100-1200 AD) was
characterized by the bay system, semi circular arches
for the opening in the walls, massive enclosing walls,
and the incorporation of towers into the church building
proper.
Gothic Architecture (1150-1500 AD)
The features of the Gothic style are: the pointed arch, the
flying buttress, and the rib vault that reflects the
transcendental character of Gothic culture. The outside
of the cathedral is related to the interior space. Towers
and spires express the transcendental character as well.
Gothic architecture is a carved or moulded architecture.
Architecture in the
Modern World
The Renaissance Architecture (1420-
1600 AD)
The dome is a double shell structure built according to
Gothic style. Spaces and enclosing surfaces are on
simple proportional relationships. Basic module utilized
the paneling of white and colored marbles. Structures
follow the system of rectangles and circles.
Baroque Architecture (1600-1750 AD)
The architecture form of the Baroque architecture

consists of two centers and a path connecting them. One
center, the interior, is located under the tomb and is
occupied by the main altar. The other center, the
exterior is made up of the obelisk.
Both centers, interior and exterior, convey the meaning of
goal, arrival, arrival at the end of a pilgrimage, and final
arrival at the end of out life.
Architecture in the
Contemporary World
Contemporary architecture is characterized by the use of
industrial material especially steel, glass, and concrete
deprived of ornamentation and assembled so as to form
simple geometrical volumes freely laid out in space.
The development of architecture prior to the international
style includes Romanticism (1750-1850 AD) and
beyond; Architecture of the Engineers (1800-1900 AD);
Architecture of the Chicago School; Architecture of Art
Nouveau; Architecture of Pioto-Rationalism; and
Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright up to 1914.
Architecture of Romanticism
The architecture of Romantic Classicism was more linear,

stiffer geometrically more regular, and more academic
than its Italian counterparts. Romantic Naturalism
expressed freedom from rules and an escape from the
harsh rigor of reason into the world of intuition and the
natural.
The architecture of Romanticism remained essentially
lifeless. The indiscriminate use of forms from the past
without concern for function and technique made these
forms devoid of meaning.
The architecture of the Engineers such as bridges,
railroad stations, and large halls for work and
exhibitions were the first to exhibit new ideas and
paved the way for contemporary architecture. This new
architecture was made possible through the availability
of new building materials, iron and steel, that
revolutionized the whole building industry.
ANCIENT WORLD
1. Mesopotamia
a. Sumerians 3. Aegean and Ancient
b. Assyrians Greek
c. Neo-Babylonians a. Aegean
d. Persians b. Mycenacan
2. Ancient Egypt c. Ancient Greek
a. Old Kingdom 4. Etruscan and Roman
b. Middle Kingdom
c. New Kingdom
MEDIEVAL WORLD
1. Early Christian
2. Islamic
3. Carolingian, Ottonian, and Romanesque
4. Gothic
MODERN WORLD
1. Renaissance
2. Baroque
CONTEMPORARY WORLD
1. Romanticism
ERA OF ARCHITECTURE GENERAL PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Ancient World
2. Medieval
3. Modern World
4. Contemporary

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The Development of

The temple became the predominant building type in

Ancient Egyptian Architecture in the valley of the Nile

The most important contribution of Islamic architecture is

Carolingian architecture was characterized by an

The architecture form of the Baroque architecture

The architecture of Romantic Classicism was more linear,

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