Page 50 - Art Attack Gr 9 LB SKU1007

Chinese and Japanese architecture developed differently. The curved arch was not
used – instead the roofs were curved! Often a tower was formed of one roof on top
of another. This is called a pagoda.

The peoples of the religion of Islam in Africa and Asia, however, have used
columns, arches, vaults and domes with their own towers or minarets in their
religious architecture.

Pagoda with Thirteen Eaves White Horse
Temple, China

The Taj Mahal, Agra, India

During the Renaissance in the 15th century there was a revival of the Classical style both in art and in
architecture. It was during this time that elaborate systems of proportion were thought out. A style of
architecture called the Baroque style came into being shortly after the 16th century. This style was a
reaction against the rigid ideas of the Roman architects. It showed a more flowing and free conception of

shape and form. The Renaissance type of architecture lasted until about the end of the 19th century.
Architects now began to return to earlier forms, leading to a kind of Romanesque and Gothic revival. This
th
was not to last long for soon architects in the late 19 century began designing buildings using new
materials like steel and glass.

th
In the early 20 century we have the beginning of a
new style of architecture which became an
international style. This style was called
Modernism. Many buildings were bombed and
demolished after the World Wars and these were
rebuilt in the Modernist style.

Esseantially the characteristics of the Modernist
style are buildings that are stripped of any
decoration or detail. The architect used the latest
technolgy of the time including steel frames,
curtain walls, ribbon windows and open plan
interiors. Ferro-concrete and the steel skelton
frame allowed the buidlings to be built taller and
bigger. The invention of lifts, cranes and high rise
window cleaning machinery was also developed
during this time. Building were often left unpainted-
this was termed “truth to materials” allowing the
natural look of the concrete and glass to be shown.
The concept of “less is more” was emphasised.

The style dominated architecture for roughly fifty
years. Still today the style is chosen for some new
building projects.

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