The Fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D. plunged just about all of Western Europe into the Dark Ages. Very few structures and art survive from this period. The Eastern Roman Empire, however, continued to thrive until 1453. The Byzantine Empire, as it’s also referred to, even encompassed modern-day Italy and parts of …
If there’s one building that defines Romanesque architecture, then it’s most certainly this immense cathedral in Germany. It has a history that dates back to the 11th century and it became the architectural model for churches built across Europe in the following centuries. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the …
When modern architecture emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, not everybody could appreciate the lack of variation and decorative elements. By the 1960s several renowned architects already expressed the shortcomings of modern architecture, especially those found in International Style buildings. A couple of architects named Denise Scott Brown (born in 1931) and her husband Robert …
When you have to name one of the most distinctive examples of early modern architecture, then this mansion on the western outskirts of Paris definitely comes to mind. It’s hard to judge the impact of this villa because we are already so used to modern architecture today. This makes it all the more remarkable that …
Not a lot of cities in the world have played such a major role in human history as this fascinating city in Israel. Jerusalem is situated on an extended plateau in the Judaean Mountains, a mountain range squeezed in between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. The city is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians …
When an architectural competition was launched in the 17th century to design a new fountain in Rome, there was only going to be one winner. Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was the most renowned architect and artist of the Baroque era and he left a permanent mark on the city by designing various monuments and buildings …
When the most popular newspaper in the United Kingdom wanted to construct 3 new offices in the 1930s, they wanted the buildings to be special. The result was some of the most amazing examples of Art Deco architecture in the UK, especially the final building in Manchester. Let’s take a closer look at some of …
When an American architect started experimenting with metaball graphical software, he coined the term Blob Architecture to describe what he discovered. Although Greg Lynn was the first to use the term to describe this new architectural style, the word “Blobitecture” didn’t emerge for the first time until 2002. The name is a reference to the …
If you enjoy Neoclassical architecture, then this amazing religious structure in Finland’s capital is one of the most magnificent examples in the world. This stunning church in Helsinki has dominated the city’s skyline since the mid-19th century and overflows with architectural features borrowed from classical antiquity. In this article, you’ll discover some of the most …
Just like the name of the movement implies, Expressionist architecture refers to any type of building that aims to convey a particular emotion. The initial definition labeled buildings that were constructed between 1910 and 1930 in particular countries in Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Denmark. Today, we define Expressionist buildings …