The appearance of the building is a loud clue with which you can understand in what era it was built. This is easy to do if you have an idea of architectural styles and their main features.
Architectural style is a set of details and features of a structure that indicate the time of its construction, purpose, historical value, region, and sometimes even the author. Different styles operate with different forms and materials, reflecting changes in fashion, beliefs, ideas, and technologies. Some styles follow each other in chronological order, while others develop in parallel in time.
More often, the change in dominant styles occurs gradually, as architects perceive the spirit of the times and adapt to new ideas. Together with experts, we understand the basic styles in architecture.
Style Classicism
The roots of classicism lie in the temple architecture of Ancient Greece and in the religious, military and civil architecture of the Roman Empire. The style is characterized by the clarity and simplicity of traditional forms, such as columns, each of which has fixed proportions and patterns.
Classicism quickly spread in Italy, and then came to France, Germany, England and other countries. In each of them it was interpreted in its own way, acquiring individual features. During the reign of Louis XIV, against the background of absolutism, the 'Grand Style' appeared - it combined classicism and baroque.
Main features:
symmetry and proportions: columns and windows are evenly spaced;
the main entrance is in the form of a portico and topped with a pediment;
durable building materials;
high, floor-to-ceiling windows with shallow glazing;
pilaster order;
the walls are devoid of decor.
Rococo
The Rococo style arose in the 18th century as a reaction against the grandeur and symmetry of classicism. This is a smoother and more detailed style, including ornate, asymmetrical patterns, and work with pastel shades.
The style appeared in Paris in response to the ponderous Baroque architecture and was soon adopted in France, Germany, and Austria. By the end of the 18th century, the dominance of Rococo had largely been replaced by the Neoclassical style.
Although there are many similarities between Baroque and Rococo architecture, differences can also be found. The appearance of Rococo buildings is more playful, light and with generous use of curves. One of the fundamental differences is that Rococo emphasizes the asymmetry of forms.
The walls, moldings (convex decorative details on the facades) and ceilings of buildings in this style are decorated with numerous interlacing decorative details based on "C" and "S" shapes, shells and other naturalistic shapes.
Rococo colors are predominantly pastel, ivory and gold are actively used, and there are many mirrors in the decor to enhance the feeling of open space.
Main features:
rocaille motif - seashells, unusual curved shapes imitating natural elements;
lack of strict symmetry;
rich decorative finishing;
pastel colors;
stucco, carving and gilding are actively used in the interior;
relatively small size of buildings;
the use of cartouches (stucco decorations in the form of a shield or an unfolded scroll);
mirrors are an important element of the interior.
Modern / Art Nouveau / Art Nouveau
At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. the Art Nouveau style literally captured the entire European continent, manifesting itself differently in each national context: in Germany and Austria it is known as Art Nouveau or Secession style, in Belgium and France - Art Nouveau, in Italy - Liberty style or stile floreale (floral style) . The main statement of modernity: art and life are inseparable. Nature becomes the main source of inspiration for the movement, which sought complete unity of structure and decoration. Art Nouveau is characterized by sinuous lines and organic volumes, with floral and animal motifs often found. The most striking example of Art Nouveau is the entrances to a metro station in Paris, designed by Hector Guimard.
Main features:
natural ornament;
smooth, wavy, curved lines in the decoration of facades and interiors;
pastel, muted shades;
interior decoration with mosaics, stained glass, enamel;
the design of the building is wood, forged elements of an unusual curved shape;
rectangular doors and windows, quite often arched.