The Architecture Portal
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings or other structures. 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.
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. (Full article...)
Selected article –
Yoyogi National Gymnasium, officially Yoyogi National Stadium (Japanese: 国立代々木競技場, Hepburn: Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō) is an indoor arena located at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, which is famous for its suspension roof design.
It was designed by Kenzo Tange and built between 1961 and 1964 to be the aquatics center during the 1964 Summer Olympics.The annex was used for the basketball events those same games. It also the venue handball competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics. The design inspired Frei Otto's arena designs for the Olympic Stadium in Munich. (Full article...)General images –
Did you know (auto-generated) -
- ... that St. Joseph, a 1909 Catholic church in the Romanesque Revival style in Berlin-Wedding, has served as an interim cathedral since 2018?
- ... that the architect of 275 Madison Avenue did not include much exterior decoration because he wanted the building to be "shadow-less"?
- ... that as municipal architect, Albert L. Harris led the design of all city buildings in Washington, D.C., from 1921 until his sudden death in 1934?
- ... that the Late Gothic appearance of the church of St. Martin in Oestrich was destroyed in the Thirty Years' War and restored only in 1894?
- ... that Lynda Simmons co-founded Architecture + Women NZ with Sarah Treadwell, Julie Wilson and Megan Rule to push for equity in New Zealand architecture?
- ... that the architect of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center thought of stacked nagaya houses while designing it?
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