Architecture 1

Architecture (Latin architectura, from the Greek ἀρχιτέκτων arkhitekton "architect," from ἀρχι- "chief" and τέκτων "creator") is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or other structures. Architectural works, in the form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art. Historical civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements. The practice, which began in the prehistoric era, has been used to express culture of civilizations on all seven continents. For this reason, architecture is considered to be a form of art. Texts on architecture have been written since ancient times. The earliest surviving text on architectural theories is the 1st century AD treatise De architectura by the Roman architect Vitruvius. According to the treatise, a good building embodies firmitas, utilitas, and venustas (durability, utility, and beauty). Centuries later, Leon Battista Alberti developed this idea further, suggesting that buildings have an objective beauty found in their proportions and quality of materials. Giorgio Vasari wrote Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects and put forward the idea of style in the Western arts in the 16th century. In the 19th century, Louis Sullivan declared that "form follows function." "Function" began to replace the classical "utility" and was understood to include practical and aesthetic, psychological, and cultural dimensions or aspects. The idea of sustainable architecture was introduced in the late 20th century. 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 architectural forms all over Asia to include reflecting Buddhist ideologies. During the European 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 in approximately 1918 as an avant-garde movement that sought to develop an entirely 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 placed on modern techniques, materials, and simplified geometric forms. This paved the way for high-rise superstructures. However, many architects became disillusioned with modernism which they perceived as ahistorical and anti-aesthetic. Given this, 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, both of which are covered in this section.