Architecture is a powerful form of expression. Throughout history, different cultures and civilisations have used architecture to convey their values, beliefs, and ideas. From the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt to the Taj Mahal in India, ancient architectural styles have had a lasting impact on modern-day architecture, including firms like NTF Architecture Melbourne.
Here are some of the most influential styles from antiquity, and how they have shaped architecture today.
Egyptian Architecture
One of the oldest forms of architecture is Egyptian architecture – this style dates back to around 3000 BC and was heavily influenced by religion and mysticism. Characteristics of Egyptian architecture include large stone structures such as pyramids and obelisks, symmetrical designs, intricate hieroglyphics, and walls painted with religious imagery. The Egyptians also made use of columns, which were often carved with images of gods or pharaohs to make them appear larger than life.
Greek Architecture
The Greeks developed an architectural style that was defined by its simplicity and functionality. Greek structures were designed with basic geometric shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. They also incorporated columns into their designs to support the weight of upper levels or roofs. Greek temples often featured triangular pediments with ornamental decorations such as friezes or sculptures depicting gods or other mythological figures. Other common elements included colonnades, porticos, arches, domes, and classical orders such as Doric or Ionic columns.
Roman Architecture
The Romans built upon the foundation laid by the Greeks when developing their own architectural style in around 500 BC. Roman architecture was characterised by grandeur and extravagance – they were known for constructing impressive marble buildings such as amphitheatres and bathhouses that were designed with elaborate decorative features like mosaics and frescoes.
Roman architects also made use of arches (which allowed them to build stronger structures) and advanced building materials like concrete, which enabled them to construct more durable bridges and aqueducts than ever before. Additionally, they introduced vaults (curved ceilings made from stone blocks) that allowed them to create larger interior spaces without needing additional support beams or columns.
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a term used to refer to many pre-Colombian cultures that inhabited Central America prior to European contact. These cultures had distinctive architectural styles that included pyramid-shaped temples called ziggurats, which were often used for religious ceremonies or sacrificial rites. Examples include Teotihuacan in Mexico City (200 BCE – 750 CE), El Mirador in Guatemala (600 BCE – 100 CE), Tikal in Guatemala (400 BCE – 800 CE), and Copán in Honduras (400 BCE – 850 CE).
Ancient architectural styles have been influencing modern-day architectures for centuries
From classic Greek columns to Roman arches, each culture has left its mark on current design trends in some way or another. Whether it be through grandiose decorating or practical building materials, each ancient culture has something unique to offer when it comes to understanding our current architectures today.
By taking a closer look at some of these ancient styles, we can come away with a better appreciation for all that these societies have given us.