An architectural style is characterised by the features that make a building or other structure notable and historically identifiable. A style may include such elements as form, method of construction, building materials, and regional character. Most architecture can be classified as a chronology of styles which change over time, reflecting changing fashions, beliefs and religions, or the emergence of new ideas, technology, or materials. Styles therefore emerge from the history of a society and are documented in the subject of architectural history. At any time several styles may be fashionable, and when a style changes it usually does so gradually, as architects learn and adapt to new ideas. Styles often spread to other places, so that the style at its source continues to develop in new ways while other countries follow with their own twist. A style may also spread through colonialism, either by foreign colonies learning from their home country, or by settlers moving to a new land. After a style has gone out of fashion, there are often revivals and re-interpretations. For instance, classicism has been revived many times and found new life as neoclassicism. Each time it is revived, it is different. Vernacular architecture, unlike traditional architecture, is not designed by architects. It represents a native method of construction used by local people, usually using labor-intensive methods and local materials, and usually for small structures such as rural cottages. It varies from region to region even within one country, and takes little account of national styles or technology. As construction technology developed, vernacular styles have often become outmoded by new technology and national building standards.
Chronology of styles
Prehistoric Early civilizations developed, often independently, in scattered locations around the globe. The architecture was often a mixture of styles in timber cut from local forests and stone hewn from local rocks. Most of the timber has gone, although the earthworks remain. Impressively, massive stone structures have survived for years.
Neolithic 10,000–3000 BC
Ancient Americas Mesoamerican Mezcala Talud-tablero Western Native Americans
Ancient African Ethiopian Nubian Somali
Mediterranean and West Asian civilizations
Ancient Asian
Classical Antiquity The architecture of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, derived from the ancient Mediterranean civilizations such as at Knossos on Crete. They developed highly refined systems for proportions and style, using mathematics and geometry.
Ancient Greek 776–265 BC Roman 753 BC–663 AD Etruscan 700–200 BC Classical 600 BC–323 AD Herodian 37–4 BC (Judea) Early Christian 100–500 Byzantine 527–1520
Middle Ages The European Early Middle Ages are generally taken to run from the end of the Roman Empire, around 400 AD, to around 1000 AD. During this period, Christianity made a significant impact on European culture.
Early Medieval Europe Latin Armenian 4th–16th centuries Anglo-Saxon 450s–1066 (England) Bulgarian from 681 First Bulgarian Empire 681–1018 Pre-Romanesque c. 700–1000 (Merovingian and Carolingian empires) Iberian pre-Romanesque Merovingian 5th–8th centuries (France, Germany, Italy and neighbouring locations) Visigothic 5th–8th centuries (Spain and Portugal) Asturian 711–910 (North Spain, North Portugal) Carolingian 780s–9th century (mostly France, Germany) Ottonian 950s–1050s (mostly Germany, also considered Early Romanesque) Repoblación 880s–11th century (Spain)
Medieval Europe The dominance of the Church over everyday life was expressed in grand spiritual designs which emphasized piety and sobriety. The Romanesque style was simple and austere. The Gothic style heightened the effect with heavenly spires, pointed arches and religious carvings.
Asian Architecture During the Late Classical and Medieval Ages
Islamic architecture 620–1918 Central styles (multi-regional) Prophetic era – based in Medina (c. 620–630) Rashidun period – based in Medina (c. 630–660) Umayyad architecture – based in Damascus (c. 660–750) Abbasid architecture – based in Baghdad (c. 750–1256) Fatimid architecture (909–1171) Mamluk architecture – based in Cairo (c. 1256–1517) Ottoman architecture – based in Istanbul (c. 1517–1918) Regional styles Egypt, including empires ruled from Egypt Early Islamic architecture (Rashidun + Umayyad) (641–750) Abbasid architecture (750–954) Fatimid architecture (954–1170) Ayyubid architecture (1174–1250); category see here Mamluk architecture (1254–1517) Ottoman architecture (1517–1820) North Africa (the Maghrib) Umayyad architecture (705–750) Abbasid architecture (750–909) Fatimid architecture (909–1048) Moorish architecture (788–1550) Idrisid architecture (788–974, Far Maghreb) Aghlabid architecture (800–909, Eastern Maghreb) Zirid architecture (1048–1148, Middle Maghreb) Almoravid architecture (1040–1147, Far Maghreb) Almohad architecture (1121–1269, Far Maghreb) Hafsids 1229–1574 (Near and Middle Maghreb) Marinids (1244–1465, Middle and Far Maghreb) Zayyanids (1235–1550, Middle Maghreb) Ottoman architecture (1550–1830, Near and Middle Maghreb) Local styles under local dynasties (1549–present, Far Maghreb) Islamic Spain Umayyad architecture (756–1031) Taifa Kingdoms-1 (1031–1090) Almoravid architecture (1090–1147) Taifa Kingdoms-2 (1140–1203) Almohad architecture (1147–1238), Taifa Kingdoms-3 (1232–1492) Granada architecture (1287–1492) Persia and Central Asia Khurasani architecture (Late 7th–10th century) Razi Style (10th–13th century) Samanid architecture (10th c.) Ghaznawid architecture (11th c.) Seljuk architecture (11th–12th c.) Mongol-period architecture (13th c.) Timurid Style (14th–16th c.) Isfahani Style (17th–19th c.) Islamic-influenced architecture in South Asia Indo-Islamic architecture (1204–1857) Mughal architecture (1526–1707) Turkey Anatolian Seljuk architecture (1071–1299) Ottoman architecture (1299–1922) First national architectural movement (1908–1940)
Pre-Columbian Indigenous American Styles
Aztec (ca. 14th century – 1521) Maya Pueblo Puuc
African architecture Hausa Yoruba
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