Evolution of Architecture

Egyptian Architecture (3000BC 100AD)

Ancient Egyptian Architecture is mainly based on religious monuments, massive structures with extensive
carvings of gods, goddesses, pictorial representation of daily life, structures having thick sloping mud walls
with very few openings for ventilation since the climate in Egypt is very hot and dry. The Temple of Horus
at Edfu, the Great Pyramid of Giza and Great Sphinx of Giza is an example of the Ancient Egyptian
Architecture. The materials used in the Ancient Egyptian period were sun baked mud brick, stone,
limestone. Granite and sandstone were also used at certain places. Wood wasnt used as a material for
construction since it was scarcely available.

Mesopotamian or West Asiatic Architecture-Ziggurats were a popular construction in Mesopotamian

Architecture. They were massive structures built in ancient Mesopotamian valley and western Iranian
plateau. They resembled a terraced stepped pyramid with receding levels.

The construction materials used in West Asiatic/Mesopotamian Architecture:

Sun baked bricks were used for the construction of the core of the Ziggurat (A ziggurat was a massive
structure built in ancient Mesopotamia and the western Iranian plateau.) and the facings were of red bricks.
Glazed bricks were also used on the external surface of the Ziggurats. The glazing was done with various
colors and also had astrological importance. Kings sometimes carved their names on these glazed bricks
as a symbol of pride and power.

Indian Architecture (500BC to present day)

Indian Architecture cannot really be defined as one single Architectural style. The Architecture in India is a
blend of various architectural styles of the world. The Architecture in India developed with the established a
result of examination and implementation of its established building traditions and outside cultural
interactions.

Here is the list of various cultures that established in India:

1. Mehrgarh culture Indus Valley Civilization (700BC 1500 BC)
2. Post Maha Janapadas period (1500BC-200CE)
3. Early Common era High Middle Ages (200CE 1200CE)
4. Late Middle Ages (1100 CE 1526CE)
5. Islamic influence and Mughal era (1526CE-1857CE)
6. Colonial Era (1857 CE -1947 CE)
7. Republic of India (1947CE present)

Chinese Architecture (3rd century BC to the present day)

Immense emphasis was given to bilateral symmetry and articulation in Chinese architectural style. It
signified balance and symmetry. The concept of having a central open courtyard was also very popular.
From huge mansions, palaces to small homes or farmhouses, the concept of central courtyard and bilateral
symmetry would be followed. Chinese Architecture reserves its originality even today. It hasnt gone under
much change in spite of changing lifestyles and technology. This architectural style has had a great
influence on Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese architecture.

Japanese Architecture (6th century AD to the present day)

Initially, people in Japan were hunter-gatherer. They practiced agriculture as their occupation. The earliest
structures found in Japan were pit houses. The early dwellings comprised of shallow pits, tamped mud
floors. The roofs were made of grass and designed in a way to collect rainwater with the help of glass jars.

With the advent of Buddhism, temples were constructed. This era led to the development of Architecture
and culture in Japan. The architecture of Japan was greatly influenced by Chinese Architectural Style. The
elements of Japanese Architecture are much similar to Chinese Architecture.

For e.g.;- Imperial Palace of Shishinden

Greek Architecture (650BC to 30BC)- Greek buildings were all built in a very methodical order. This means
that there were many rules that they followed in order to make sure the buildings were all similar. These rules
also helped to make sure that the buildings were safe and strong. Many Greek buildings were built so well that
hundreds of them still exist today, even though they are thousands of years old.

Ancient Greek Architectural style has been divided into three orders :
1. Doric order
2. Ionic order
3. Corinthian order

Doric: The Doric order is the oldest and most simple order. The columns have no base and the columns
have a very simple capital. In other words, Doric buildings were the least decorated. Archaeologists believe
that Doric architectural buildings, which were built in stone, evolved from wooden buildings that were very
similar.

Ionic: The Ionic order is more decorative than the Doric. The columns are taller and thinner, and the
capitals at the top of the columns are decorated with scrolls and other patterns. The bases of the columns
are also decorated.

Corinthian: The Corinthian order is a lot like the Ionic order, but the capitals are even more elaborately
decorated, usually with leaves and floral patterns

It had a profound effect on the Western Architecture. It influenced Roman architecture and is maintained in
Italy even today. From the Renaissance, revivals of Classicism have kept alive not only the precise forms
and ordered detailed of Greek architecture but have also reserved the concept of architectural beauty of
balance and proportion. Parthenon is an excellent example of the marvels of Greek Architecture.

Roman Architecture (300BC to 365AD)

Certain aspects in Roman Architecture were influenced by the Greek Architectural style. Romans did take a
few aspects from Greek Architecture but invented totally different architectural styles.

Etruscans were preceded by Romans. Romans were indebted to the Etruscans for supplying them with
knowledge on Structural systems. Etruscans had immense knowledge of Hydraulics and construction of
arches.

Later on, with the development of newer and better materials, Roman Architecture took a new form.

The population of Rome was increasing which forced the designers of Rome to figure out new architectural
solutions to cope with the growing problem. They constructed vaults and arches and had sound knowledge
of building materials which helped them achieve great success in the construction of huge structures for
general public use.

Roman Aqueducts (waterways) are a very popular example of Roman engineering marvel. There were
eleven aqueducts in the Rome itself. They were built over a period of 500 years. This is how the saying
Rome was not built in a day is internationally popular.

Byzantine Architecture (330AD to 1453AD and later)

Byzantine Architecture evolved in the Byzantine Empire. After 330AD, the Byzantine Empire came to
known as Roman Empire. Roman Architectural features were used in the Early Byzantine Architecture with
grace. The design was buildings gradually started turning into a complex affair. The geometric complexity
was increasing with the increasing technology and the understanding of the people.

Earlier only stones were used for construction and covered with limestone. But the scenario seemed to
have changed. Brick and plaster were used in addition to stone for decoration of the public structures. The
carved decoration was replaced with intricate mosaic work. Complex domical structures were constructed
which rested upon massive piers of the structure.

Muslim Architecture-
Mesopotamian and GrecoRoman forms are the two main sources for this style, which makes use of
symbolic geometry, using pure forms such as the circle and square. The major sources of decorative
design are floraldesign,geometric shapes and Arabic Calligraphy.
The major building types are the mosque and the palace Mosque plans are based on strongly symmetrical
layouts. Featuring a rectangular courtyard with a prayer hall. Forms are repetitive and geometrical; the
surfacesare richly decorated with glazed tiles, carved stucco and patterned brickwork,bands of colored
stonework. Plaster made from gypsum was carved and highly polished to give it a marble-like finish.

The architecture of the peoples of Islamic faith, also called Mohammedan,which from the 7th century onward expanded
throughout the Mediterraneanworld and as far as India and China, and beyond, producing a variety ofgreat regional works
and local decorative styles. It is characterized bydomes, horseshoe and round arches, tunnel vaults and richly decorated
Ornamentation which is geometric because of the ban on human and animal representation.

Modern Construction-

The industrial revolution was manifested in new kinds of transportation installations, such
as railways, canals and macadam roads. These required large amounts of investment. New construction devices
included steam engines, machine tools, explosives and optical surveying. The steam engine combined with two other
technologies which blossomed in the nineteenth century, the circular saw and machine cut nails, lead to the use
of balloon framing and the decline of traditional timber framing. As steel was mass-produced from the mid-19th
century, it was used, in form of I-beams and reinforced concrete. Glass panes also went into mass production, and
changed from luxury to every man's property. Plumbing appeared, and gave common access to drinking
water and sewage collection.

Building codes have been applied since the 19th century, with special respect to fire safety

With the Second Industrial Revolution in the early 20th century, elevators and cranes made high rise buildings
and skyscrapers possible, while heavy equipment and power tools decreased the workforce needed. Other new
technologies were prefabrication and computer-aided design.