Translated By Lilian Tong (Keypad)

Click here to Keypad to see the original (P.84)   |   中文版

.

.

 

 

It is often the case that friends who have travelled around Europe would return home to divulge in sharing about the wonders of European classical architecture, from Gothic to Baroque, leaving you clueless and hence not able to chime in to the conversation. Fret not – all you need is to allow yourself fifteen minutes to finish reading this article to muster the basic knowledge of Western classical architecture’s history. The next time you get caught in a similar conversation, you can easily fool those around you as an expert in classical architecture.

 

 

For a clearer understanding of Western classical architecture’s history, one must keep in mind of the various iconic eras. Similar to understanding the history of China by firstly remembering the various few key dynasties in order to advance one’ learning, the history of architecture involves committing these six important eras to memory – the Greek, Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical.

 

 

Ancient Greece 800BC -30BC

.

 .

.

The history of classical architecture has gone through phases like those of fashion trends such as the evolution of pants from being bellbottomed to skinny. Greece was the place that first pioneered the classical architecture phenomena. Greek architecture, metaphorically, was neither the bell-bottom pants nor the skinny jeans. Instead, it is simply the pants. Ever since its emergence, the rest of classical architecture’s history, such as the Roman era, seek to imitate its designs by subsequently copying elements of Greek architecture – the copy, being a direct replica or one with a creative twist, is then the bell-bottomed pants and the skinny jeans respectively.

 

 

 

With the Greek’s pursuit of harmony through its architecture, heavy emphasis was placed on proportion. Like how women would place particular emphasis on shoes, the pillars from Greek architecture were of great importance. Thus, the contraption of the Greek’s Column Order – the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian (with the first two representing male and female respectively) – has since become one of the most important stylistic orders of ancient Western architecture.

 .

.

Ancient Rome 750BC – 400AD

.

 

 .

.

The Romans were the first disciple of ancient Greek architecture, and were also seen as geniuses. With respect to the designs of ancient Greek architecture, the gifted Romans had a unique rugged architectural style that not only further developed elements from the ancient Greeks but also added many original features, including the use of curved designs as seen in their domes and arches. Since Arches could span longer with less columns, more open interior spaces were therefore possible.

 

 

In addition, the Romans were also the ones who developed concrete, the revolutionary material that was created through molding and binding various materials, hence kick-starting the Concrete Revolution. Rome could have almost been built in a day.

 .

.

Gothic (1100-1400)

.

 .

.

Then came the medieval period of Gothic architecture, highly believed by some to be the only original style from the history of Western classical architecture as the others were often seen as plagiarized versions of the Greeks and Romans.

 

 

The term “Gothic” was understood to be barbarous – this was reflected through its main architectural designs of churches and cathedrals where the aim was to have interiors with high ceilings and expansive interior light, as though the verticality suggested an aspiration to reach Heaven. Pointed arches were hence introduced to lengthen the look of the architecture while flying buttresses were built as lateral support for the walls, allowing the facades to no longer need thick structures. Thus, more windows could be incorporated, resulting in more natural light beaming into the interior through the mosaic colored rose windows, creating a majestic visual experience.

 

 

 .

.

 .

.

 .

.

Renaissance (1400-1600)

.

 .

.

For over three hundred years, the extent of Gothic architecture remained dominant and started to appear dull to the masses. A revival to a period of borrowed elements from ancient Greek and Rome begun again with the Renaissance era through the return of columns, domes and arches.

 

With the addition of collective architectural innovations learnt from the past millennia, the Renaissance architecture was a new and improved work of art. This was seen especially in the significant breakthrough of the  omes’ structure and design, which has since become an iconic feature of the Renaissance era.

 .

.

Baroque (1600-1800)

.

 .

.

If the Renaissance era was seen as a succession of the ancient Greek and Roman architecture, the Baroque era would be seen as an ostentatious version of classical architecture. The era had a refreshing approach that emphasised on dramatic fashion through its extravagant and flashy style, as exemplified through the characteristics of curving walls, vaulted ceilings and an extensive use of decorations and ornaments. With the addition of its distinctive ovals forms and marquise cuts, it is no wonder the definition of
“Baroque” was closely associated to grotesque pearl.

 

 

The Baroque later evolved into a heavily decorative style called the Rococo, the terms derived from rocaille, the decorative trend for inverted plaster scallop and seashell. This particular style was criticised for its overindulgent aesthetics, comparable to a lady wearing thick makeup or even a man who puts makeup. Henceforth, the preference for elegant simplicity slowly replaced Rococo with Neoclassicism style.

 

 .

.

Neo-Classicism (1700-1850)

.

 .

.

The bell-bottomed pants eventually phased out in preference for skinny jeans; so did Baroque for Neoclassicism. Neoclassical architects believed that Baroque’s interpretations of the Greek and Roman’s styles were untruthful and frivolous. In order to counter such unfavorable design, the Neoclassicism’s ideals primarily focused on designs that were exquisitely simple and elegant, and would rather go with a majestic look that was made up of flat white walls rather than fanciful decorations.

 
Neoclassicism was succeeded by a string of revivalism of architectural movements such as the Gothic Revival, Baroque Revival, Neo-Renaissance and Romanesque Revival. Nevertheless, many of these movements carried the original aim of reinterpreting old styles through new construction approaches.

.

Afterthought

 

 .

.

After the Industrial Revolution, mankind witnessed a series of architectural breakthroughs. Man began to realize that the functionality of these classical architectural styles do not work as well as modern architecture, and were merely capitalized for its majestic aesthetics that were expensive yet of low practicality. By the time the Modern Architecture movement in the twentieth century emerged, many of the classical architectural styles were completely abandoned.

.

 

After being introduced to the six important eras of classical architecture, you should have a rough overview of its rich history. Even if your friend blindsides you in a conversation about other architectural styles such as the Byzantine or Romanticism, fear not. Just smile, look your friend in the eye with confidence and with an assured tone, slowly divulge them with the six iconic eras of classical architecture. This is without a doubt your guaranteed method to successfully fool your friends that you are a Classical Architecture Expert.

 

.

.

 

 .

.