History of Architecture

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

By - Tsegaye Z.
BACKGROUND UNDERSTANDING OF ARCHITECTURE
WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?
 Architecture is the art and science or technique of
designing and erecting buildings.
 Which must demonstrate the solution of the practical
problems associated with the purpose of building
such as beauty and durability, and form and function.

Smart City, Flying

Architecture by Zaha
Hadid
PURPOSE OF ARCHITECTURE
o To fulfil both practical and expressive requirements;
through both utilitarian and aesthetic means.
o Serves man as a form of defense against the natural
environment
o Gives man the benefits of a human environment (built
environment), a prerequisite for and a symbol of the
development of civilized institutions.
o Almost every settled society uses their building
techniques to produce various indigenous and regional
architectural styles unique to them such as Egyptian,
Greek, Roman, Japanese, renaissance, modern, e.t.c.
 WHAT IS HISTORY OF
ARCHITECTURE?
History of architecture is the study of the
chronological record of events (as affecting a
nation or people), based on a critical
examination of architectural source materials
and usually presenting an explanation of their
causes from ancient periods to the present day.

Carved stone pillar at Göbekli

Tepe (Turkey), circa 8500 BC
WHAT IS HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE?
 Traces the changes in architecture through various
traditions, regions, overarching stylistic trends, and
dates.
 The beginnings of all these traditions is thought to be
humans satisfying the very basic need of shelter and
protection.
 The term "architecture" generally refers to buildings,
but in its essence is much broader, including fields we
now consider specialized forms of practice, such as
civil engineering, naval, military, and landscape
architecture.
History of Architecture
"It is a record of man's effort to build
beautifully. It traces the origin, growth
and decline of architectural styles which
have prevailed lands and ages."
Historic Styles of Architecture
"The particular method, the
characteristics, manner of design which
prevails at a certain place and time.“
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
A. ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
 Ancient man lived in natural shelter provided by caves.
 Due to his nomadic nature, man started construction
activity of building of huts with bamboos and thatched
leaves.
 The huts protected him from:
 Inclement elements of weather such as sun, wind and
rain.
 The huts gave him security from wild animals.
 It gave him time to research for new construction
materials eg. mud, bricks and stone.
 Early man got inspiration from nature in the form of
shapes and color of leaves and flowers, and exploited
their effects on the eyes and mind.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)

A. ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
 He soon started constructing different types of
huts with walls, roofs, floors, doors and
windows.
 However, he was not satisfied with his hut, so
he started thinking of improving its utility.
 He realized that certain proportions of doors,
windows, height and width of walls, certain
color combinations and textures were more
aesthetically appealing.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
A. ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
 He also observed that various forms, such as cubes,
cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids seen in light
and shade created varied impressions on the mind of
the observer.
 Constructional forms changed gradually as art
introduced itself into construction with new ideas of
function, form and feeling for aesthetics.
All these crude developments in his architectural
utilities are evidence of refinement in civilization of the
early people.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
B. WHAT IS CIVILIZATION?
 Civilization is the system or stage of social
development from a savage or ignorant
condition to a refined or a developed stage.
 The architectural forms perfected during the
early civilizations have influenced visual
standards in Western civilization ever since.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
C. EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE
 Civilization stated with the Egyptian who
introduced remarkable architectural forms
such as the arch, colonnades, pyramids and
temples.
 The Egyptians constructed huge pyramids i.e.
tombs for their kings and temples for their
gods in which they used blocks of stones for
posts and lintels.
 The period of Egyptian civilization was
between about 5000BC to its conquest by
Rome.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
D. BABYLONIANS, ASSYRIANS AND PERSIANS PERIOD
 The Babylonians, Assyrians and Persians brought about
civilization to the growth and flexibility of architecture.
 The latter conquered the former respectively and each
adopted architectural ideas from the vanquished.
 The Assyrians built bulky columns for obvious supports
and for defense against aggression from other colonies.
 The Persians conquered the Assyrians and refined the
shapes of columns to be less bulky and less obvious
supports by reducing their shafts in section.
 They introduced slight surface variations and enriched
moldings gave live to the entablatures that united rows of
columns horizontally above their carved capitals.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
E. GREEK ARCHITECTURE
• The Greeks were predominantly good in literature and
architecture.
• They clearly reflect the progress of the soul of man
(intuitive thinking).
• The civilization of Greece cannot be traced down to
any known civilization but was mainly a creation of
their restless, innovating and challenging mind.
• The Greeks could not exercise all these rights under
the Persian rule until the latter were overthrown by
Alexander the Great around 338BC.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
E. GREEK ARCHITECTURE
• This independence led to Greek architecture achieving
magnificence and mastery of composition.
• Greek architecture as demonstrated in the buildings
they designed and erected (temples, fountain house,
agora, theatres, public baths) were in themselves
documents of their civilization than any single work of
Greek literature.
• In this sense, architecture might be called the sheet
anchor of history, without which the everlasting
testimony of the monuments would certainly become
null and void.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
E. GREEK ARCHITECTURE
• Greek architecture was influenced by the factors of
religion, history and social rather than of materials
available.
• The Greeks developed a style of proportion known as
“order of architecture”.
• An order of architecture is a systematic proportioning
of the base, column and entablature related to the
diameter of a column.
• It is said that these orders were based on the
proportions of the human body.
• The orders are Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
F. ROMAN ARCHITECTURE
• The Roman republic started in 509BC after the
overthrow of the Greeks.
• The Romans used arches for vaults and domes.
• They utilized pozzolana sand, mortar, plaster and
concrete.

Colosseum,
Rome ,Italy
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
G. MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE
• The Medieval period represent the religious
architecture of Christianity and Islam as it took place
during the Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic
periods.
• Byzantine architecture developed on the concept
called the central church, assembled around a central
dome.
• Romanesque architecture made remarkable
achievement in the development of stone vaulted
buildings.
• The Gothic period in architecture (AD1100-1500),
churches were constructed with pointed arches, with
ribs supporting masonry vaults.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
H. RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE
• Renaissance means “rebirth” - a French translation of
an Italian word „rinascita‟.
• It was the revival of the old style (classical) of art and
architecture and literature during the renaissance
period (AD1500-1700).
• There was upsurge of interest in classical learning and
values, and revival of naturalism.
• Proportioning was seen as the predetermining factor
of beauty.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
H. RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE
• Leon Battista Alberti (1401-1472) defined beauty in
architecture as a harmony of all parts in whatsoever
subject it appears, fitted together with such proportion
and connection that nothing could be added,
diminished or altered, but for the worse.
• A relationship between architectural proportion and
renaissance pictorial device of perspective was
formulated by Fillipo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) during
this period.
• Piero della Franscesca defined perspective as objects
seen from far in proportion to their repetitive distance.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
I. MODERN ARCHITECTURE
• The period from AD1750 onwards is known as the
period of modern architecture.
• Modern architecture can be classified into two kinds;
 Vernacular architecture conforms closely to the
traditional way of design.
 It is characterized by minimum of creativity and originality.
 Masons and carpenters are experts in constructing such type
of buildings without any guidance from architects or other
building professionals.
 Designed architecture is the result of a conscious
effort to create something new.
 Function, form and feeling for utility and aesthetics are the
three considerations in designed architecture.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
J. FACTORS THAT LED TO BIRTH OF MODERN
ARCHITECTURE
• Industrial revolution of the 18th century brought
about a change in the traditional style of living.
• Wealth also changed hands bringing into
existence of a new elite class with new tastes.
• Buildings were needed for factories, schools,
offices, hospitals, airports, residences, etc.
• Man realized the futility of meaningless
ornamentation of buildings, the traditional styles
and orders of architecture.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
J. FACTORS THAT LED TO BIRTH OF MODERN
ARCHITECTURE
• The economic depression caused by the First World
War, brought about the need and importance for
functional planning.
• The development and use of reinforced concrete (RC)
in construction triggered the rapid development of
modern architecture.
• Functional structure with RC columns, beams, and
slabs were found to be economical owing to the
increased speed of construction and proper utilization
of space.
• Architects got more freedom to plan buildings suitable
for various purposes and environments.
During the Industrial Revolution, many new Steel and concrete are the favored materials for
materials were developed: glass-- Crystal commercial type construction.
Palace (1851)

Wood and brick are the favored materials

for residential construction.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
K. VIEWS OF MODERN ARCHITECTS ON
ARCHITECTURE
• Auguste Perret, a French architect says “an architect
is a poet who thinks and speaks in terms of
construction.
• Louis Sullivan defined architectural design as “the
architects graphical solution of a project or program
economically, structurally and aesthetically”.
• Vitruvius, an architect and Roman writer in his De
Architectura Libri Decem (Ten Books on Architecture)
stated that the principles and requirements of good
architecture are “utilitas” – utility (good planning),
“firmitas”-sound construction, and “venustas” –
pleasing appearance.
 GENERAL OVERVIEW (ANCIENT – MODERN PERIOD)
K. VIEWS OF MODERN ARCHITECTS ON
ARCHITECTURE
• Frank Llyod Wright defined modern architecture as
“power” i.e. material resources directly applied to
purpose.
• Le Corbusier defined architecture in terms of light and
shade. He said “architecture is the masterly, correct
and magnificent play of masses brought together in
light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light. Thus
cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids are the
great forms which light reveals to advantage. They are
not only beautiful forms, but the most beautiful
forms”.
• He also stated that “architecture does not exist; only
function exists”.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Dʿmt (c. 800-400 BC)
• The best known building of the period in the region is
ruined 8th-century BC multi-story tower at Yeha
in Ethiopia, believed to have been the capital of Dʿmt.
• Ashlar masonry was especially dominant during this
period, owing to South Arabian influence where the style
was extremely common for monumental structures.

The ruin of the temple

at Yeha, Tigray
Region, Ethiopia.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Aksumite architecture
• Aksumite architecture flourished in the region from the 4th
century BC onward.
• It persisted even after the transition from the Aksumite dynasty to
the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th century, as attested by the
numerous Aksumite influences in and around the medieval
churches of Lalibela.
• Other monumental structures include massive underground
tombs, often located beneath stelae. Among the most spectacular
survivals are the giant stelae, one of which, now fallen (scholars
think that it may have fallen during or immediately after erection),
is the single largest monolithic structure ever erected (or
attempted to be erected).
• Other well-known structures employing the use of monoliths
include tombs such as the "Tomb of the False Door" and the
tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Mesqel in Axum.
 Tomb of the False Door" and the tombs
of Kaleb and Gebre Mesqel in Axum.

Tombs of Kaleb and Gebre

Mesqel in Axum

Tomb of the
False Door
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Aksumite architecture
 Most structures, however, like palaces, villas, commoner's
houses, and other churches and monasteries, were built of
alternating layers of stone and wood.
 The protruding wooden support beams in these structures
have been named "monkey heads" and are a staple of
Aksumite architecture and a mark of Aksumite influence in
later structures.
 Some examples of this style had whitewashed exteriors and/or
interiors, such as the medieval 12th-century monastery
of Yemrehanna Krestos near Lalibela, built during the Zagwe
dynasty in Aksumite style.
 Contemporary houses were one-room stone structures, or
two-storey square houses,
or roundhouses of sandstone with basalt foundations.
 Villas were generally two to four storeys tall and built on
sprawling rectangular plans (cf. Dungur ruins).
 A good example of still-standing Aksumite architecture is the
monastery of Debre Damo from the 6th century.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Aksumite architecture
Church of Abune Aregawi at
the Debre Damo monastery, Obelisk of
constructed around the mid-6th Aksum
century. Remains

Yemrehanna Krestos near Lalibela

 Architecture of Ethiopia
Zagwe dynasty
• Ethiopian architecture continued to expand from the
Aksumite style, but also incorporating new traditions
with the expansion of the Ethiopian state.
• Styles incorporated more wood and rounder
structures in commoner's architecture in the center of
the country and the south, and these stylistic
influencies were manifested in the slow construction
of churches and monasteries.
• Throughout the medieval period, Aksumite
architecture and influences and its monolithic
tradition persisted, with its influence strongest in the
early medieval (Late Aksumite) and Zagwe periods
(when the churches of Lalibela were carved).
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Zagwe dynasty
• Throughout the medieval period, and especially from the
10th to 12th centuries, churches were hewn out of rock
throughout Ethiopia, especially during the northernmost
region of Tigray, which was the heart of the Aksumite
Empire.
• However, rock-hewn churches have been found as far
south as Adadi Maryam (15th century), about 100 km south
of Addis Abeba.
• The most famous example of Ethiopian rock-hewn
architecture are the 11 monolithic churches of Lalibela,
carved out of the red volcanic tuff found around the town.
• Though later medieval hagiographies attribute all 11
structures to the eponymous King Lalibela (the town was
called Roha and Adefa before his reign.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Zagwe dynasty

Biete Medhane Alem in Lalibela, the

Lalibela's monolithic church Bete Gebriel-
largest monolithic church in the world.
Rufa'el.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Gondarine Architecture
• During the early modern period, the absorption of new
diverse influences such as Baroque, Arab, Turkish and
Gujarati Indian style began with the arrival
of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries in the 16th and 17th
centuries.
• Castles were built especially beginning with the reign
of Sarsa Dengel around the Lake Tana region, and
subsequent Emperors maintained the tradition,
eventually resulting in the creation of the Fasil
Ghebbi (royal enclosure of castles) in the newly
founded capital (1635), Gondar.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Gondarine Architecture
• Emperor Susenyos (r.1606-1632) converted to
Catholicism in 1622 and attempted to make it the state
religion, declaring it as such from 1624 until his
abdication; during this time, he employed Arab,
Gujarati (brought by the Jesuits), and Jesuit masons
and their styles, as well as local masons, some of
whom were Beta Israel.
• With the reign of his son Fasilides, most of these
foreigners were expelled, although some of their
architectural styles were absorbed into the prevailing
Ethiopian architectural style.
• This style of the Gondarine dynasty would persist
throughout the 17th and 18th centuries especially and
also influenced modern 19th-century and later styles.
 Architecture of Ethiopia
Gondarine Architecture

Fasilides castle in Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar

Six Influences of Architecture
 Geographical
 Geological
 Climatic
 Religious
 Social
 Historical
Four Great Constructive Principles
1. Post & Lintel Construction
2. Arch & Vault Construction
3. Corbel or Cantilever Construction
4. Trussed Construction
Thank You!