The History of Different Architectural Styles Around the World

Architecture transcends any single time period or region. Its origins trace back to one of humanity’s earliest needs—the search for shelter. This art form, as an integral part of civilization, reflects the changes in how people think, live, work, and advance. These shifts are mirrored in the evolution of decoration, design, and the construction of buildings throughout history. The evolution and expansion of societies can be traced through global architectural developments. As you continue reading this article, you will observe how each era of structural design gradually melts into the next.

What Is the Origin of the Word Architecture?

The word architecture is derived from the Latin term “architectura” or the Greek term “arkhitekton.” In Greek, “arkhi” means chief, and “tekton” refers to builder. The product of architecture is often buildings, and historical landmarks are typically considered its achievements.

Architectural styles are characterized by changes in the style and design of buildings throughout history. There are sub-styles of architecture that point to new innovations or unique design features. Occasionally, new structural design styles emerge alongside historical changes, triggering waves of new ideas in design, construction, and building.

Important Ancient Periods

The timeline of this style dates back to 2.5 million years ago up to 1200 BCE (including the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age), with a prominent example being Stonehenge.

Ancient Architecture

During prehistoric times, structures were formed by layering stones, bones, and natural terrain features, all without any mortar or binding substances. This period lasted from approximately 11,600 BCE until around 3,500 BCE.

Prehistoric Architecture

The prehistoric era is characterized by buildings or spaces constructed through the stacking of stones, bones, and natural land features without the use of mortar or binding agents. This period dates back to 11,600 BCE to 3,500 BCE.

The Etruscan Period

The Etruscan architectural period (900 BCE – 27 BCE) is marked by the transition to the use of stone, wood, and earthen works.

Babylonian (Mesopotamian) Architecture

The Babylonian and Mesopotamian periods merge to showcase the integration of masonry and art. This style dates back to ancient times, where bricks were made from clay and fired in kilns to enhance durability. Adding colors to tiles and bricks allowed this civilization to elevate its architecture and decorate structures according to their beliefs. This style, with Egyptian influence, emerged around 4000–1250 BCE.

Egyptian Architecture

Egyptian architecture features materials such as limestone, sand, gravel, and mud bricks due to a scarcity of wood. The Egyptian architectural era encompasses a range of styles and designs, from the pyramids to ornate columns, with its timeline spanning from 3050 BCE to 900 BCE.

Major Pre-Columbian Architectural Periods

Pre-Columbian (Mesoamerican)

The Pre-Columbian era is distinguished by incredible stone carvings and stone decorations. Constructing religious buildings, pyramids, entertainment structures, and government facilities from stone and rock was a hallmark of Mesoamerican architecture. This period spans from 1000 BCE to 1000 CE, with the ruins of Palenque standing as a notable example.

Incan Architecture

The most remarkable feature of Incan architecture, which dates from 1400 to 1533 CE, is the use of square or rectangular stones for the creation of roads, buildings, and walls. Buildings during this time were created by piling carved stones or mud bricks, often shaped into squares or rectangles.

Mayan Architecture

Mayan architecture flourished between 250 and 900 CE. Maya built large structures adorned with intricate stone carvings, staircases, and plasterwork featuring paintings. Chichen Itza, with its iconic pyramid and nearby structures, stands as the finest example of Mayan architectural achievement.

Major Western Architectural Periods

Western architecture should be recognized for its diverse styles, varied designs, and extensive use of different materials. This era marked a shift in building styles toward the Industrial Revolution and the mass production of construction materials.

Significant advancements were made in the design, shape, and decoration of both home interiors and building exteriors. During this time, arches, stained glass windows, buttresses, vaulted ceilings, and domes became prevalent. One notable example of Western-style architecture is St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Greek Style

The most distinctive features of Greek architecture are its columns. Greek columns, whether sculpted or painted, are placed at least at the four corners of the structure. There may be numerous columns throughout open spaces, or carved stone sculptures at the front or back of the structure used as decorative elements rather than supports. The history of Greek architecture dates back to 700–323 BCE. To explore this style, you can look at the Acropolis of Greece.

Roman Architecture

Roman architecture elevated Greek design by incorporating arches. Essentially, Roman arches were used to support domed ceilings and served as decorative elements between traditional columns. The Roman arch became a distinctive feature in architecture and building design due to its uniqueness and ability to distribute weight. The Roman architectural period dates from 44 BCE to 476 CE, with the Pantheon as a notable example.

Byzantine Architecture

The Byzantine architectural style integrated domes with arches in buildings. Featuring a large central dome and halls with rooms branching out in various directions, the windows and doors reflect the influence of Roman arches. This style flourished between 527–565 CE, with the Fethiye Museum as a representative example.

Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque architecture began in medieval Europe and consisted of semi-circular rooms with conical ceilings. Semi-circular arches above doors enabled the design of round rooms and windows, evoking traditional Roman aesthetics. The Romanesque period lasted from 800–1200 CE, with the Holy Trinity Monastery as a prime example.

Gothic Architecture

This style bridges Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, spanning from 1100–1450 CE. Influences from both architectural styles are apparent during this transitional period. Large rooms with pointed arches leaning against building walls for support are characteristic of this style. However, the key distinguishing features are the colorful stained glass windows and ribbed vaults that support these astonishing spaces. Westminster Abbey exemplifies this design.

Renaissance Architecture

The significant features of Renaissance architecture may seem familiar due to the revival of Greek and Roman classical building styles. These styles combined domes, columns, and classical arches, reflecting their ancient origins. This era lasted from 1400–1600 CE, with Tuscan architecture as a representative style.

Baroque Architecture

Baroque architecture is an incredibly ornate style of buildings, design, and art that originated in 17th-century Italy, spread across Europe, and eventually reached the United States. Elaborate designs, extensive use of marble, bold decorative elements, and vivid colors are defining features of this architectural style. The bright colors of Baroque architecture symbolized the splendor of the Roman Catholic Church. The architectural timeline of this style ranges from 1600–1830 CE, with the Palace of Versailles as a notable example.

Neoclassical Architecture

Neoclassical architecture is characterized by its grand scale, simplicity of geometric forms, Greek details—particularly Doric or Roman elements—the striking use of columns, and a preference for plain walls. The Neoclassical era spans from 1730–1925 CE, with the United States Capitol being a prime example.

Victorian Architecture

Structural design styles often included eclectic interpretations and revivals of historic styles. “Victorian architecture” gets its name from the tradition in Britain and France of labeling styles after the current monarch. This naming and classification system followed Georgian architecture and later regal architecture, with Edwardian architecture succeeding it. The Victorian period lasted from 1837–1901 CE, with Westminster Palace and Big Ben in London being notable examples.

Art Nouveau

Emerging in the late 1800s, Art Nouveau developed as a global movement in both architectural and design disciplines. This style is defined by “sinuous lines and organic shapes inspired by plant forms” and flourished mostly between 1890–1910 in Europe and the United States. Casa Batlló is an example of Art Nouveau.

Art Deco

Art Deco architecture represents a building style that is chic but not minimalist. Architects of the era were innovative in their approach to design, aiming to create structures that were fresh, modern, and distinct from previous revival styles. Art Deco buildings are undeniably unique, embodying a period that centered on the Machine Age. This style’s timeline ranges from 1925–1937 CE, with the Chrysler Building serving as an exemplary structure.

Modern or Modernist Architecture

Modernist architecture is a movement or style rooted in new and innovative construction technologies, particularly the use of glass, steel, and concrete. This style has persisted from 1900 CE to the present, with the Sydney Opera House standing as a distinguished example.

Modernist Architecture

Major Periods of African and Middle Eastern Architecture

African Architecture

A diverse range of materials—such as thatch, wood, mud, bricks, earth, and stone—are employed in traditional African architecture. The choice of construction materials varies by region: in North Africa, rammed earth and stone are common; in the Horn of Africa, stone and mortar are used; in West Africa, mud and adobe dominate; in Central Africa, thatch, wood, and perishable materials are prevalent; and in Southeast and Southern Africa, stone, thatch, and wood are preferred. The Great Mosque of Djenné is an example of this style.

Ethiopian Architecture

Axumite architecture flourished from the 4th century BCE onward in the region. This style persisted even after the transition from the Axumite dynasty to the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th century, as evidenced by the numerous Axumite influences in and around the medieval churches of Lalibela. The Gondar Castle exemplifies this style.

Persian (Iranian) Architecture

Notable features include: “Iranian architecture makes extensive use of geometric symbols, employing pure forms like circles and squares abundantly. Floor plans are often symmetrical, featuring courtyards and rectangular halls. Sasanian architecture is adorned with carved stone reliefs or stucco and uses colorful stone mosaics. The Jameh Mosque is a striking example of this style.”

Islamic Architecture

Some features of Islamic architecture have been inherited from pre-Islamic designs in the region, while others, like minarets, muqarnas, geometric arabesque motifs, pointed arches, layered arches, onion domes, and pointed domes, developed later. The Dome of the Rock is an example of this style.

Major Periods of Asian Architecture

Indo-Islamic Style

 Islamic architecture includes a wide range of building styles tied to the Islamic world, covering both religious and non-religious structures from Islam’s early beginnings up to modern times. Islamic architecture was developed to fulfill Islamic religious ideals—for instance, minarets were designed to help the muezzin reach specific areas with their voice. One of the finest Asian representations of Islamic architecture is the Shah Rukn-e-Alam mausoleum.

Indian Architecture

India’s architecture is profoundly influenced by its historical legacy, cultural richness, and religious traditions. Among the various styles and traditions, Hindu temple design and Indo-Islamic architecture are the most prominent historical styles. Within each, especially the former, there exist several regional sub-styles. An early example of urban planning is Harappan architecture from the Indus Valley Civilization. During that era, people lived in cities with baked brick houses, grid-pattern streets, complex drainage systems, water supply systems, granaries, citadels, and an array of large non-residential buildings.

Many ancient Indian styles were made of wood, which has not survived. During the British colonial period, European styles, including Neoclassical, Gothic Revival, and Baroque, spread widely across India. The blending of Indo-Islamic and European styles led to the creation of a modern style known as Indo-Saracenic. A world-famous illustration of Indian architecture is the Taj Mahal, admired for its beauty and craftsmanship.

Chinese Architecture

Key characteristics of Chinese architecture include bilateral symmetry, enclosed open courtyards, horizontal layouts, and the incorporation of feng shui principles such as spatial orientation and hierarchy and references to cosmology, mythology, or other symbolic concepts. Hai Si Gong Yi serves as a notable representation of traditional Chinese architectural design

Japanese Architecture

 In prehistoric Japan, the first architectural expressions appeared in the form of basic homes and storage buildings.

Traditional Japanese architecture (日本建築, Nihon kenchiku) is known for its wooden construction, raised flooring, and roofs made of tiles or thatch. Sliding doors (fusuma) were used instead of walls, and people traditionally sat on cushions or directly on the floor. Since the 19th century, Japan has incorporated many Western, modern, and postmodern architectural designs and is now a global leader in architecture and design. Japanese pagoda temples are iconic examples of this style.

In this article, we have examined various styles across different periods. In your opinion, which style is the most appealing?