Everywhere you go in the world you will see different types of architecture, and just like more traditional types of art, such as painting, some forms of architecture will appeal to some people, whilst others will not.

There are many varying types of architecture, and you will be able to tell in what time period they were built, or what time period they were inspired by, just by looking at them.

For example, architecture in the 1960s was often quite ‘blocky’ and industrial looking, and it can be a style that you either love or hate. Roman columns are easily recognisable, and whilst there may not be huge numbers of the originals of this style, many buildings take inspiration from them to this very day.

Is Architecture Art?

Architecture should be considered an art form, and also a feat of engineering.

In the modern world, we have many technological advantages to help us with the necessary calculations to help design a building, but only a hundred years ago, and for all millennia before them, no such technology was available, so designing a building really was an art form.

The styles of buildings are also distinct art forms in themselves, such as Tudor, NeoClassical, and modernist to name just a few.

The very nature of art is that it causes discussion, and promotes feelings in people. Anything from love, to hate, from disgust to fear can be felt when looking at art, and architecture is no different.

Some people will adore the Baroque style for example, and be completely turned off by the modernist buildings, and others will be the opposite.

There really is no right or wrong way to feel about a certain style, which is what makes the world such a varied and wonderful place.

Is Architecture Scientific?

As architecture is an art form, it is also a form of science. Many calculations are needed to ensure a building will stand, and remain standing for many years to come.

Many artists have blended art and science as you can see on www.artst.org, and famous artists have blended science and art, the most notable being Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo Da Vinci made endless drawings which combined art, mathematics and science, many of which have influenced new scientific and technological studies, and continue to do so to this day

So, architecture then, can be considered both artistic and scientific.

Architecture On A Micro Level

When you think of architecture, you may go straight to thinking about large buildings, but architecture happens on a much smaller level too.

The first and most obvious type of ‘smaller’ architecture to talk about is furniture. Furniture comes in many different art styles, many of which are considered a form of art, with many pieces becoming collectors items, and ending up in a display case in a museum.

For example, Jacobean design dates all the way back to the sixteenth century, and comes mainly from England, although examples can be seen all around the world as the English took these pieces of furniture on their expeditions with them. Jacobean furniture was very functional furniture, usually in a very dark finish, and covered with intricate carvings. Well preserved examples of this style can fetch thousands of dollars.

Furniture designs are often named after the monarch or leader at the time, which leads us to having William style furniture and Queen Mary furniture, which was seen around the turn of the eighteenth century.

Queen Anne furniture was popular in the middle of the eighteenth century, and was characterised by a certain type of legs on all the furniture, known as Queen Anne legs.

Louis XVI was popularised during his reign over France by his wife, Marie Antoinette. This type of furniture is extremely beautiful, and ornately carved.

Victorian furniture was made during the reign of Queen Victoria over England, and was produced during the industrial revolution. This was the first type of furniture to be produced on a mass scale, but it is still stunning artwork, with intricate carvings on the pieces.

Furniture does not always have to be named after a person however, styles such as the Art Deco are named after the style that was popular at the time, during the 1920, and Scandanavian furniture is so named as most of that design comes from that area of the world.

So, as you can see, something does not have to be traditional art to be considered an art form, and art can blend art, science and mathematics, and truly spectacular progress is made.