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Architecture

Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building structures. It involves conceiving, planning, and constructing buildings or other structures. Architecture began as vernacular construction but shifted to focus on religious and political structures. Modern architecture began after WWI as an avant-garde movement seeking a new style for the postwar era focused on meeting middle- and working-class needs.

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8 views

Architecture

Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building structures. It involves conceiving, planning, and constructing buildings or other structures. Architecture began as vernacular construction but shifted to focus on religious and political structures. Modern architecture began after WWI as an avant-garde movement seeking a new style for the postwar era focused on meeting middle- and working-class needs.

Uploaded by

seethas8106
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Architecture is the art and technique of designing

and building, as distinguished from the skills


associated with construction.[3] It is both the
process and the product of sketching, conceiving,
[4]
planning, designing,
and constructing buildings or other structures.
[5]
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.[6]
The practice, which began in the prehistoric era,
has been used as a way of expressing culture by
civilizations on all seven continents.[7] For this
reason, architecture is considered to be a form
of art. Texts on architecture have been written
since ancient times. The earliest surviving text
on architectural theories is the 1st century AD
treatise De architectura by the Roman
architect Vitruvius, according to whom a good
building embodies firmitas, utilitas,
and venustas (durability, utility, and beauty).
Centuries later, Leon Battista Alberti developed
his ideas further, seeing beauty as an objective
quality of buildings to be found in their
proportions. In the 19th century, Louis
Sullivan declared that "form follows function".
"Function" began to replace the classical "utility"
and was understood to include not only practical
but also aesthetic, psychological, and cultural
dimensions. The idea of sustainable
architecture was introduced in the late 20th
century.
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.
Definitions
Architecture can mean:
 A general term to describe buildings and
other physical structures.[8]
 The art and science
of designing buildings and
(some) nonbuilding structures.[8]
 The style of design and method of
construction of buildings and other physical
structures.[8]
 A unifying or coherent form or structure.[9]
 Knowledge of art, science, technology, and
humanity.[8]
 The design activity of the architect,[8] from
the macro-level (urban design, landscape
architecture) to the micro-level (construction
details and furniture).
 The practice of the architect where
architecture means offering or rendering
professional services in connection with the
design and construction of buildings or built
environments.[10]

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