A (Brief) History of Architecture

Because everyone loves an architect.

Perched at the intersection of art and science, architecture acts as a sort of societal mirror; absorbing the cultural milieu, distilling its essence, and reflecting it back via the built environment.  Given how much architectural trends influence our lives and wellbeing, often without us even knowing it, we thought we’d pay our respects for this noble endeavor.  Plus, talking about architecture allows us to show off and use big words like juxtaposition and vernacular (architects must be a blast at cocktail parties).

Pushing the limits of human ingenuity, architecture pays homage to cultural values by utilizing cutting-edge technology and innovative design practices.  The earliest humans employed the primitive shelter, living in caves to avoid exposure.  As humans transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to sedentary farmers, architecture evolved to monoliths and structures; think Stonehenge and Giza.  These were often sacred sites, designed for the attendant rituals of belief systems that sprouted up throughout different cultures, largely enabled by the first Agricultural Revolution.  If you think Red Rocks is cool, try catching a concert at Stonehenge.

Fast forward to Ancient Greece, and you have a truly unique architectural style, defined by soaring columns, intricate entablature and precise symmetry.  As the birthplace of democracy, classical Greek architecture has formed the basis of some of the most iconic government structures in Western civilization.  Putting aside Greek Revival in the residential sphere, just touring the US capital in DC is a tour de force in neoclassical architecture.  This open style encouraged interaction between the structures and the space around them, reflecting the democratic values of an engaged citizenry.

Renaissance figures like Brunelleschi and Da Vinci applied mathematical rigor to the field, utilizing concepts like the Golden Ratio and Vitruvian principals to capture and demonstrate perspective and dimensionality.  Vitruvius’ three architectural principles of Strength, Utility and Beauty continue to underpin the discipline to this day.

Later figures like Gaudi applied many of these principles while pioneering his own, combining Gothic styles with biomimicry to create his Magnum Opus, La Sagrada Familia.  More astute observers will note that Gaudi pioneered parametric design by hanging his models upside down using weighted strings.  This method allowed him to design freely, as gravity forced every arch to rest at an optimal catenary curve.  Honoring the cornerstone of Spanish culture, the Catholic Church, through the lens of early Modernism.

Skipping a few generations/movements, architecture is undergoing another culture-induced shift.  In the commercial sphere, the increased emphasis on human-centered design and sustainable materials is driving design professionals to rethink not only how we interact with the built environment, but the very way we build and the materials we use.  Increased use of mass timber, open spaces for collaboration and private spaces for focus and wellness will be hallmarks of future commercial spaces.  In line with the philosophy of Frank Lloyd Wright, embodied in Fallingwater, buildings will again interact with their surroundings at human scale.

On the residential side, a focus on outdoor space and the home as a sanctuary, accelerated by the pandemic, is the result of our always-on lifestyle.  The home is no longer a place to sleep between commutes; it is a place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the company of those we love.  And the inside is moving outside.  Increasing our interaction with outdoor space has well documented benefits for our mental health.

It will be interesting to see how the cultural shift of the past few years will be expressed in the spaces we create. We hope it involves a ton of outdoor space, and maybe even a few pergolas.