About Western Classical Architecture

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and structures such as gates, bridges and other structures. Sometimes the areas around the building, such as roads and gardens, are also included in the design.

The person who designs the building is an architect. They may require skills in many fields, such as mathematics, science, art, technology, social sciences, politics, history, and philosophy.

People from different countries and historical periods have designed buildings of different styles. This may depend on the climate, available building materials and fashion.

The earliest buildings were simple shelters, huts and houses.

When people start living together in towns and cities, the type of building becomes more complicated. Some of the oldest buildings that have been found include the pyramids of Egypt and the gold-shaped towers of Mesopotamia and other early temples. The houses where the people live are very simple, small and dense.

The buildings of ancient Greece and ancient Rome are called classical buildings. Some important classical buildings have stone columns with complex designs. Greek columns have beams, but the Romans developed arches in the building and spread them throughout the Roman Empire.

Indian architecture is famous for the stone carvings of temples and palaces. Different architectural styles have developed in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Africa, Mexico and Central and South America.

Western Europeans built Romanesque architecture in the Middle Ages, then Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture has tall, pointed windows and arches. Many churches are Gothic buildings. When the Normans invaded Britain, people noticed that British people like small houses with many things, while French people like big houses with almost no furniture. Many castles were also built during this period. In Eastern Europe, Byzantine influence means that churches usually have domes.

Mosques may also have domes, which is a way to build an open space that can accommodate many people. This is very important for religious architecture.

The industrial revolution led to new types of architecture, machines, and people's work. Industrial buildings refer to buildings of factories, mills and other working buildings.

Modern architecture is a new type of architecture created around 1900. Modern buildings usually have few decorations (designed to make things more beautiful) and are usually constructed of steel, glass and concrete.