ARCH 105H1

Lecture 1: History of Architecture

Name: Lawrence Ogunsanya

Email : ogunsanya@ukzn.ac.za

Introduction
What is history?
derived from the Greek noun historia meaning

inquiry or research
The branch of knowledge dealing with past
events.
The record of past events and times, especially in
connection with the human race.
The bodies of knowledge about the past
produced by historians, together with everything
that is involved in the production, communication
of, and teaching about that knowledge.

Introduction
What is Architecture?
Latin: architectura, from the Greek: arkhitekton:

"chief builder.
It is both the process and the product of planning,
designing, and constructing buildings and other
physical structures.
The art and science of designing buildings
The planning and designing form, space and
ambience to reflect functional, technical, social,
environmental and aesthetic considerations.

Introduction
What is Architecture?
Architecture provides a sense of place and

support of all types of human activity.

Architecture is a passion, a vocation, a calling
as well as a science and a business. It has been
described as a social art and also an artful
science.
The act of artfully placing complex forms in
remote locations to be photographed for
magazine covers.
Architecture is frozen music

Introduction
What is Architectural History?
The history of architecture traces the changes in

architecture through various traditions, regions,

overarching stylistic trends, and dates.
Architectural history is the discipline that records,
studies and interprets architecture.
It studies its forms, purposes, and most
importantly its evolution.
Fortunately, ancient architecture can easily be
observed and recorded.

Introduction
What is Architectural History?
Architectural history falls within the broad

category of social sciences.

The study of architectural history helps one to
understand the landscape and urban built
environment,
beginning with ancient times and progressing to
contemporary life.
Understanding such history is important in
fostering appreciation for how surrounding
structures affect our lives in a broader cultural
context.

Relevance of Architectural History

Architecture is the most lasting evidence of

human culture.
It is ever-changing as we are influenced by our
interactions with the environment and with each
other.
These structures become an expression of
ourselves and in turn become a part of us.

Relevance of Architectural History

The history of architecture is an important and

integral part of the THEORY of architecture the

understanding of one building, contributes to the
understanding of the other buildings.
It provides architects and architecture students
with a broad general exposure to the visual &
technical design of architecture as manifestations
of culture in a historical context.

Relevance of Architectural History

the history of architecture is important because it

helps us to understand how architecture

influences society and its culture over time.
the study of historical architecture also helps to
stimulate the creative juices in the minds of the
students.

Relationship of Architecture & History

The earliest surviving written work on the subject of

architecture is De architectura, by the Roman

architect Vitruvius in the early 1st century AD.
According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy
the three principles of firmitas, utilitas, venustas,
which translate roughly as
Durability it should stand up robustly and remain
in good condition.
Utility it should be useful and function well for the
people using it.
Beauty it should delight people and raise their
spirits.

Relationship of Architecture & History

Durability

Relationship of Architecture & History

Utility

Relationship of Architecture & History

Beauty

Relationship of Architecture & History

Architecture - the art of designing and

constructing buildings - has always been closely

intertwined with the history for various reasons:
Aesthetics
Consolidate security and power
Culture and religion
Technology
Urban form

Relationship of Architecture & History

Aesthetics
Architecture is considered a visual art like

painting and sculpture.

Architects design buildings using a creative
process by which they manipulate art elements to
create a unified and pleasing artistic statement.
These distinctive design elements are evident in
the periodic architectural styles and movements.

CONSOLIDATE SECURITY AND

POWER

Consolidate security and power

Consolidate security and power

L Aquila, Spain

Consolidate security and power

Nurnberg , Germany

Consolidate security and power

Hirschhorn am Neckar, Germany

Consolidate security and power

Museum, Kyrgyzstan
The Forbidden City, Beijing.

Senate building, Washington DC, USA

Consolidate security and power

Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, India.

Windsor Castle, England

Consolidate security and power

Palace of Versailles, Paris

Mont Saint Michel, France

CULTURE AND RELIGION

Culture and religion

Parthenon, Athens, Greece

Ziggurat, western Iraq

Culture and religion

Florence cathedral, Italy

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, France

Culture and religion

Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

Mosque in Djene, Mali

TECHNOLOGY

Technology
Order, proportion, and refinement
of design
Temples built to honour their
gods, surrounded by open
porticos (porches) and columns

Development of the truss system,

a triangulated load-bearing
construction to allow for sloped
roofs.
The triangle formed by the truss is
called a pediment

Technology
Development of a system of naming the design and details of columns.
These classical order of architecture are still used today, they includes:

Doric
(Plain square capital on top of columns)

Ionic
(Capital with spiral design called a volute)

Corinthian
(Capital with two rows of acanthus leaves)

Technology
Development of the concrete arch , dome and vaulted roof

Technology
Development of pilasters (Columns partially embedded in the walls)

URBAN FORM

Urban form

Ancient Babylon

Urban form

Acropolis, Athens

Urban form
Geometric forms

Palmanova,italy

Urban form