11 Important and Distinct Architectural Styles

This article gives a general definition of the main architectural styles, Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern, High-Tech and Postmodern, so you can get to know them better.

Classical style

The Classical style can be considered the mother of all architectural styles. With its heavy, dignified and luxurious façades and its graceful, well-judged proportions, it laid the ground for new ideas and later developments.

The landmarks and temples of the Roman and ancient Greek civilisations were created in the Classical style.

How to recognise the Classical style

Its most important signs are rounded forms and the use of curved patterns and designs, large, extensive buildings, columns and walls of prominent buildings with hand carving, and, in most cases, unique decorative elements attached to them.

Romanesque style

This style has rounded masses and thick columns. Romanesque is one of the architectural styles of the Middle Ages; most buildings that followed it were heavy, large and simple.

Durham Cathedral in England, most of the buildings of San Gimignano in Italy and the Tower of Pisa are among the main examples of Romanesque.

How to recognise Romanesque

Any building with rounded masses and thick columns follows this style.

Gothic style

Slender, thin columns together with many arches and curves are hallmarks of the Gothic.

Pointed arches are the most important sign of the Gothic style in architecture, and they were used above all to build churches.

Westminster Abbey in London, Cologne Cathedral in Germany and Notre-Dame de Paris are examples of the Gothic style.

Signs of the Gothic style

The essential features of the Gothic style are slender columns, pointed arches and curves, intricate spires and arched main piers.

Renaissance architecture

Respecting the classical rules of the Greeks in art, this style gave their architecture a new look.

The Renaissance can be seen in the Louvre in Paris, the cathedrals of Florence and Milan and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Features of the Renaissance style

Columns of classical form, paving and domes that went far beyond the Classical style are its most essential features.

Baroque style

Baroque architecture has ornament that captivates everyone.

The Baroque shone beautifully until the late 18th century, and with its countless, magnificent details it captivates its viewers.

Features of the Baroque style

The use of light and lighting, painted ceilings and abundant, captivating decoration are the main features of Baroque architecture.

Neoclassical style

Like the Renaissance, the Neoclassical style imitates the classical architecture of Greece and Rome, except that in some respects it applies the rules of classical architecture more strictly.

St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Trevi Fountain in Rome and the Palace of Versailles in France are examples of the Neoclassical style.

Hallmarks of this style

Buildings with fresher, newer façades whose paving, columns and domes follow their original architecture faithfully.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau architecture is inspired by the forms of nature and plants.

Art Nouveau drew its ideas mostly from the forms of nature and plants. Curves and bends were among its features. The style was short-lived, but in that short time Paris made great use of it; even the entrances of the Paris Métro and the Lavirotte Building use Art Nouveau.

How to recognise this style

The decorative use of plant-like forms is one of its essential features.

Art Deco

With its precious, elegant components this style was highly captivating; somewhat simple, yet very luxurious in appearance. After a while, however, Art Deco lost its popularity because it was so expensive.

The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are among the most important buildings in this style.

How to recognise Art Deco

Lively, warm colours and the abundant use of geometric patterns are the most important and essential features of Art Deco.

Modern architecture

Rectangular buildings and frames and the use of large windows are seen everywhere in modern architecture.

Important examples of modern architecture: Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Boston City Hall and the Barbican in London.

How to recognise the Modern style

Rectangular structures and simple forms are the features that tell us a building was designed in the modern style.

High-Tech style

The High-Tech style took all the services and equipment that used to be hidden inside a building and moved them onto its exterior.

Outstanding examples of the High-Tech style

The HSBC building in Hong Kong and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

Features of High-Tech

Great attention to lighting, and pipes and other equipment shown on the building’s exterior.

Postmodern style

Postmodern architecture transformed all the rigid aspects of the Modern style. The Portland Building is one of its most important examples.

How to recognise the Postmodern style

Strange, surprising forms and clear, bright colours are the most essential features of postmodern architecture.