Portal:Architecture
The Architecture Portal
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings or other structures. The term comes from Latin architectura; from Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn) 'architect'; from ἀρχι- (arkhi-) 'chief' and τέκτων (téktōn) 'creator'. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art. Historical civilisations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements.
Architecture began as rural, oral vernacular architecture that developed from trial and error to successful replication. Ancient urban architecture was preoccupied with building religious structures and buildings symbolizing the political power of rulers until Greek and Roman architecture shifted focus to civic virtues. Indian and Chinese architecture influenced forms all over Asia and Buddhist architecture in particular took diverse local flavors. During the Middle Ages, pan-European styles of Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals and abbeys emerged while the Renaissance favored Classical forms implemented by architects known by name. Later, the roles of architects and engineers became separated.
Modern architecture began after World War I as an avant-garde movement that sought to develop a completely new style appropriate for a new post-war social and economic order focused on meeting the needs of the middle and working classes. Emphasis was put on modern techniques, materials, and simplified geometric forms, paving the way for high-rise superstructures. Many architects became disillusioned with modernism which they perceived as ahistorical and anti-aesthetic, and postmodern and contemporary architecture developed. Over the years, the field of architectural construction has branched out to include everything from ship design to interior decorating. (Full article...)
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The city of Paris has notable examples of architecture from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. It was the birthplace of the Gothic style, and has important monuments of the French Renaissance, Classical revival, the Flamboyant style of the reign of Napoleon III, the Belle Époque, and the Art Nouveau style. The great Exposition Universelle (1889) and 1900 added Paris landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Grand Palais. In the 20th century, the Art Deco style of architecture first appeared in Paris, and Paris architects also influenced the postmodern architecture of the second half of the century.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px"> File:Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés 002.JPG|The Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés (990–1160) File:Notre Dame vista do Sena.JPG|Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris (1160–1230) File:Louvre FranzI.JPG|Renaissance wing of the Louvre (1546), by Pierre Lescot File:Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, 140309 2.jpg|Dome of Les Invalides (1677–1706) by Jules Hardouin-Mansart File:École Militaire at dawn, NW view 140405 1.jpg|The École Militaire (1751–1780) by Ange-Jacques Gabriel File:Arcdetriomphe 2.jpg|The Arc de Triomphe (1806–1836) by Jean-François Chalgrin File:Paris Opera full frontal architecture, May 2009.jpg|Palais Garnier (1861–1875) by Charles Garnier File:Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, Paris 18e 140223 2.jpg|The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur (1874–1916) by Paul Abadie File:Main entrance of Grand Palais, Paris July 2014.jpg|The Grand Palais (1897–1900), by Henri Deglane, Charles Girault, Albert Louvet and Albert Thomas (Full article...)
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Did you know (auto-generated) -
- ... that St. Bernward in Döhren was consecrated in 1893, when part of Christoph Hehl's design of a basilica in the Romanesque Revival style was built, but the building was only completed after World War II?
- ... that in Greek architecture the round tholos form offered an escape from the "austere conventions" of Greek temple design?
- ... that architect John Henry Hirst designed at least nine Grade II listed buildings, including Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate, which hosts the newsroom of the Stray Ferret?
- ... that Brunel University's lecture centre has been described as "imposing" and "frightening", but also as "an expressive centrepiece" and "a brutalist classic"?
- ... that architect Ivan Palmaw designed houses in Shanghai and Seattle after fleeing the Russian Revolution?
- ... that researchers think that investing in the construction of corporate buildings can also have a social impact?
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