In determining the architectural style of the building, a number of different factors are taken into account. The totality of different forms of architecture, the purpose of construction, the level of its artistic value, in addition, the territory of location, the climatic conditions of the region and many other features are important. As we see, it's not enough to look at the building, to say that it is built in the style of late Renaissance or flaming Gothic. The architectural style should be determined on the basis of strict criteria and references to analogs.
Scientific formulations for the classification of architectural styles were introduced relatively recently, in the 18th century, and it was made not even by an architect. He deduced the theory of how the architectural style, the German archaeologist Johann Winkelmann, should be determined. In accordance with his method, the definition of the property of a building must begin with a study of the mechanism of style formation, continue with a comparison with already existing examples and end with a statement of identity. Complex and confusing, although any theory has a right to exist.
In favor of the fact that the architectural style does not need such a deep scientific approach, the fact that before the appearance of Winckelmann with his theory there were several styles, and they were recognizable. Gothic cathedral of the 12th century AD You will not be confused with the building built in the Baroque style in the first half of the 18th century, and the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture will not be mistaken for the buildings of early classicism. Architecture, like any other genuine art, does not need German dryness and pedantry, it is original enough to freely exist and please its beauty.
The most liberated architectural style of all existing is modern. Fundamental signs of modernity - the refusal of direct. Smoothing angularity immediately leads the building closer to naturalness, if you like, closer to nature. The most significant collection of masterpieces of architecture in the Art Nouveau style are the houses and park-landscape structures of the architect Gaudi. Its buildings are so organically fit into the surrounding natural environment that they seem to be not the hands of man, but of nature itself.
The Art Nouveau style appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Many were not accepted because of their unusual and provocative novelty, but still took their place in the world architecture and this place will not give way. A fairly shocking modernist creations of Gaudi adorn and decorate one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Barcelona, making a visit to this city by the dream of all tourists. A very beautiful Art Nouveau building is located in St. Petersburg, on Nevsky Prospekt. This is the former "Singer House", now it houses the Book House. Zinger's house is one of the most elegant buildings in the northern capital.
To the buildings in the Art Nouveau style in St. Petersburg is also the Vitebsk railway station. And in Moscow, the architectural style of Art Nouveau is represented by the magnificent Ryabushinsky mansion, built by Shekhtel. The same talented architect built the Yaroslavsky Railway Station in Moscow. Also in Moscow, on the Theater Square is the Metropol hotel, the architect Valkota - one of the most significant architectural monuments in the Art Nouveau style.
The predecessor of modernism was the architectural style of classicism. He is his severity in his forms and a feat to the development of modernity. Just as baroque and rococo began to evoke in society an association with "whipped cream" and smoothly passed into classicism, the style without excesses and strict classicism was replaced by the freer architectural style of modernism. Nothing stands still, it's about architecture. But before its decline, classicism was in demand by architects for almost two hundred years. In itself, this style is correct, rational and at the same time not without grace. Classicism tends toward symmetry, harmony of form, simplicity and solidity, that is, fundamental.
All these signs can be found in the ancient architecture. From there, a minimum of decorativeness and a maximum of geometricity in planning not only buildings but whole cities were taken. The aesthetics of classicism for many was attractive, and new cities were built in the spirit of this architectural style.