I often find myself wondering what has happened to us as a society that we stopped chasing beauty.
As everything in life, we can understand it by taking a look at what our ancestors did, thought and built.
🧵So let me take you on a little journey through architectural styles…
1. Classical Architecture
📍Ancient Greece and Rome
c. 800 BCE – 400 CE
•Examples: Parthenon (Athens), Colosseum (Rome).
Born in Greece to honor gods, adopted by Romans for grandeur. Emphasized order, symmetry, and proportion.
Reflect harmony, divine perfection, and civic pride. Temples and public buildings showcased cultural ideals.
People to remember: Ictinus (Parthenon), Vitruvius (Roman theorist).
As everything in life, we can understand it by taking a look at what our ancestors did, thought and built.
🧵So let me take you on a little journey through architectural styles…
1. Classical Architecture
📍Ancient Greece and Rome
c. 800 BCE – 400 CE
•Examples: Parthenon (Athens), Colosseum (Rome).
Born in Greece to honor gods, adopted by Romans for grandeur. Emphasized order, symmetry, and proportion.
Reflect harmony, divine perfection, and civic pride. Temples and public buildings showcased cultural ideals.
People to remember: Ictinus (Parthenon), Vitruvius (Roman theorist).
2. Byzantine Architecture
📍Eastern Roman Empire
c. 330–1453 CE
• Examples: Hagia Sophia (Istanbul), San Vitale (Ravenna).
Emerged post-Constantine to express Christian theology through opulent spaces.
Symbolised heaven on earth with domes, mosaics, and light. Aimed to inspire awe and devotion.
People to remember: Anthemius of Tralles, Isidorus of Miletus (Hagia Sophia).
📍Eastern Roman Empire
c. 330–1453 CE
• Examples: Hagia Sophia (Istanbul), San Vitale (Ravenna).
Emerged post-Constantine to express Christian theology through opulent spaces.
Symbolised heaven on earth with domes, mosaics, and light. Aimed to inspire awe and devotion.
People to remember: Anthemius of Tralles, Isidorus of Miletus (Hagia Sophia).
3. Romanesque Architecture
📍 Medieval Europe
c. 800–1200 CE
• Examples: Speyer Cathedral (Germany), Durham Cathedral (England).
Born in monastic Europe to support pilgrimage and feudal stability. Thick walls and rounded arches.
Conveyed strength, protection, and spiritual refuge during turbulent times.
Unknown master builders, often monks.
📍 Medieval Europe
c. 800–1200 CE
• Examples: Speyer Cathedral (Germany), Durham Cathedral (England).
Born in monastic Europe to support pilgrimage and feudal stability. Thick walls and rounded arches.
Conveyed strength, protection, and spiritual refuge during turbulent times.
Unknown master builders, often monks.
4. Gothic Architecture
📍High Middle Ages, Europe
c. 1140–1500 CE
• Examples: Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral.
Developed in France to elevate worship through light and height.
Used pointed arches, ribbed vaults. Reached for the divine, with stained glass symbolising heavenly light.
Aimed to inspire and educate.
People to remember: Abbot Suger, unknown masons.
📍High Middle Ages, Europe
c. 1140–1500 CE
• Examples: Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral.
Developed in France to elevate worship through light and height.
Used pointed arches, ribbed vaults. Reached for the divine, with stained glass symbolising heavenly light.
Aimed to inspire and educate.
People to remember: Abbot Suger, unknown masons.
5. Renaissance Architecture
(my personal favourite)
📍Italy, later Europe
c. 1400–1600 CE
• Examples: St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome), Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), Santa Maria Novella (Florence), Tempietto (Rome), Palazzo Medici (Florence), School of Athens (Vatican).
Emerged in Florence during the humanist revival, spurred by rediscovery of Classical texts and Vitruvius’ principles.
Emphasised symmetry, proportion, and perspective, reviving Greek and Roman forms.
Symbolised humanity’s reconnection with divine order through reason and beauty.
The Renaissance sought to bridge earth and heaven, using architecture to elevate the soul and intellect, rooted in the belief that beauty was a path to God.
People to remember: Filippo Brunelleschi (Florence Cathedral dome), Donato Bramante (St. Peter’s Basilica, Tempietto), Leon Battista Alberti (Santa Maria Novella), Andrea Palladio (Villa Rotonda), Michelangelo (St. Peter’s dome), Raphael (School of Athens frescoes).
(my personal favourite)
📍Italy, later Europe
c. 1400–1600 CE
• Examples: St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome), Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), Santa Maria Novella (Florence), Tempietto (Rome), Palazzo Medici (Florence), School of Athens (Vatican).
Emerged in Florence during the humanist revival, spurred by rediscovery of Classical texts and Vitruvius’ principles.
Emphasised symmetry, proportion, and perspective, reviving Greek and Roman forms.
Symbolised humanity’s reconnection with divine order through reason and beauty.
The Renaissance sought to bridge earth and heaven, using architecture to elevate the soul and intellect, rooted in the belief that beauty was a path to God.
People to remember: Filippo Brunelleschi (Florence Cathedral dome), Donato Bramante (St. Peter’s Basilica, Tempietto), Leon Battista Alberti (Santa Maria Novella), Andrea Palladio (Villa Rotonda), Michelangelo (St. Peter’s dome), Raphael (School of Athens frescoes).
6. Baroque Architecture
📍Europe, Counter-Reformation era
c. 1600–1750 CE
• Examples: St. Peter’s Square (Vatican), Palace of Versailles (France).
Catholic Church’s response to Protestantism, using drama and emotion to inspire faith.
Exuded power, movement, and divine glory through curves and ornamentation.
People to remember: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini.
📍Europe, Counter-Reformation era
c. 1600–1750 CE
• Examples: St. Peter’s Square (Vatican), Palace of Versailles (France).
Catholic Church’s response to Protestantism, using drama and emotion to inspire faith.
Exuded power, movement, and divine glory through curves and ornamentation.
People to remember: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini.
7. Neoclassical Architecture
📍Europe, Americas
c. 1750–1850 CE
• Examples: Pantheon (Paris), U.S. Capitol (Washington, D.C.), the White House (Washington, D.C.).
Inspired by Classical revival and Enlightenment ideals of reason and democracy.
Symbolised a secular reverence for order, justice, and human progress, often tied to emerging democratic ideals.
Buildings like the U.S. Capitol embodied the aspirations of new republics, presenting governance as a sacred duty rooted in Classical virtues.
People to remember: Jacques-Germain Soufflot, William Thornton, James Hoban (White House).
📍Europe, Americas
c. 1750–1850 CE
• Examples: Pantheon (Paris), U.S. Capitol (Washington, D.C.), the White House (Washington, D.C.).
Inspired by Classical revival and Enlightenment ideals of reason and democracy.
Symbolised a secular reverence for order, justice, and human progress, often tied to emerging democratic ideals.
Buildings like the U.S. Capitol embodied the aspirations of new republics, presenting governance as a sacred duty rooted in Classical virtues.
People to remember: Jacques-Germain Soufflot, William Thornton, James Hoban (White House).
8. Victorian Architecture
📍British Empire, Americas
c. 1837–1901 CE
• Examples: Palace of Westminster (London), Carson Mansion (California).
Industrial Revolution enabled eclectic styles, blending Gothic, Romanesque, and more.
Showcased wealth, progress, and imperial pride through ornate designs.
Architects and patrons saw Gothic Revival as a way to reconnect with a perceived “golden age” of Christianity.
People to remember: Charles Barry, Augustus Pugin.
📍British Empire, Americas
c. 1837–1901 CE
• Examples: Palace of Westminster (London), Carson Mansion (California).
Industrial Revolution enabled eclectic styles, blending Gothic, Romanesque, and more.
Showcased wealth, progress, and imperial pride through ornate designs.
Architects and patrons saw Gothic Revival as a way to reconnect with a perceived “golden age” of Christianity.
People to remember: Charles Barry, Augustus Pugin.
9. Art Nouveau
📍Europe, Americas
c. 1890–1910 CE
• Examples: Casa Batlló (Barcelona), Hôtel Tassel (Brussels).
Reaction to industrialisation, embracing nature-inspired curves and organic forms.
Sought beauty, craftsmanship, and harmony with nature in urban settings.
People to remember: Antoni Gaudí, Victor Horta.
📍Europe, Americas
c. 1890–1910 CE
• Examples: Casa Batlló (Barcelona), Hôtel Tassel (Brussels).
Reaction to industrialisation, embracing nature-inspired curves and organic forms.
Sought beauty, craftsmanship, and harmony with nature in urban settings.
People to remember: Antoni Gaudí, Victor Horta.
10. Modernism
📍Global, especially Europe and Americas
c. 1900–1970 CE
• Examples: Bauhaus (Dessau), Villa Savoye (France).
Born from industrialisation and new materials (steel, glass). Rejected ornament for function.
Prioritised simplicity, efficiency, and universal design for modern life.
People to remember: Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
📍Global, especially Europe and Americas
c. 1900–1970 CE
• Examples: Bauhaus (Dessau), Villa Savoye (France).
Born from industrialisation and new materials (steel, glass). Rejected ornament for function.
Prioritised simplicity, efficiency, and universal design for modern life.
People to remember: Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
11. Art Deco
📍Global, especially Americas, Europe
c. 1920–1940 CE
• Examples: Chrysler Building (NYC), Palais de Tokyo (Paris).
Emerged from post-WWI optimism, celebrating technology and luxury.
Conveyed glamour, progress, and modernity through bold geometry and rich materials.
People to remember: William Van Alen, Raymond Hood.
📍Global, especially Americas, Europe
c. 1920–1940 CE
• Examples: Chrysler Building (NYC), Palais de Tokyo (Paris).
Emerged from post-WWI optimism, celebrating technology and luxury.
Conveyed glamour, progress, and modernity through bold geometry and rich materials.
People to remember: William Van Alen, Raymond Hood.
12. Postmodernism
📍Global, especially Americas, Europe
c. 1970–2000 CE
• Examples: Piazza d’Italia (New Orleans), Vanna Venturi House (Philadelphia).
Reaction to Modernism’s austerity, reintroducing colour, humour, and historical references.
Embraced pluralism, playfulness, and context over rigid rules.
People to remember: Robert Venturi, Michael Graves.
📍Global, especially Americas, Europe
c. 1970–2000 CE
• Examples: Piazza d’Italia (New Orleans), Vanna Venturi House (Philadelphia).
Reaction to Modernism’s austerity, reintroducing colour, humour, and historical references.
Embraced pluralism, playfulness, and context over rigid rules.
People to remember: Robert Venturi, Michael Graves.
13. Contemporary Architecture
📍Global
c. 2000–present
• Examples: Burj Khalifa (Dubai), The Shard (London).
Driven by globalisation, technology, and sustainability concerns. Uses parametric design and eco-materials.
Balances innovation, environmental responsibility, and cultural identity.
People to remember: Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Bjarke Ingels.
📍Global
c. 2000–present
• Examples: Burj Khalifa (Dubai), The Shard (London).
Driven by globalisation, technology, and sustainability concerns. Uses parametric design and eco-materials.
Balances innovation, environmental responsibility, and cultural identity.
People to remember: Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Bjarke Ingels.
The conclusion is clear water.
The moment humanity distanced itself from God, we lost our pursuit of beauty, leaving our souls saddened and devoid of romanticism and chivalrous acts.
Modern life has turned us into mere robots, chasing function over meaning.
A new Renaissance movement should be imminent if we want to revive our spirits and save society.
And we will only achieve it by reconnecting with God, beauty, and harmony.
Because God is the definition of beauty and love.
The moment humanity distanced itself from God, we lost our pursuit of beauty, leaving our souls saddened and devoid of romanticism and chivalrous acts.
Modern life has turned us into mere robots, chasing function over meaning.
A new Renaissance movement should be imminent if we want to revive our spirits and save society.
And we will only achieve it by reconnecting with God, beauty, and harmony.
Because God is the definition of beauty and love.
• • •
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