4. Architecture as an art form

Architecture is one of the oldest forms of art, expressing in religious and public buildings the worldview of the people in a specific historical era, a certain artistic style. ARCHITECTURE (Latin architecture, Greek architecton - builder), architecture - buildings, other structures or their complexes that form a material , an artistically organized environment for human life. Also, the art of shaping this spatial environment, creating a new reality that has functional significance, brings benefits to humans and provides aesthetic pleasure. The term covers the design of the exterior of a structure; organization of internal space; selection of materials for external and internal use, design of natural and artificial lighting, as well as engineering support systems; electricity and water supply; decorative design. Each of the buildings has a specific purpose: for life or work, recreation or study, trade or transport. All of them are durable, comfortable and necessary for people - these are their mandatory properties.

Types of architecture

There are three main types of architecture:

The architecture of three-dimensional structures. It includes religious and fortified buildings, residential buildings, public buildings (schools, theaters, stadiums, shops, etc.), industrial buildings (plants, factories, etc.);

Landscape architecture related to the organization of garden and park space (squares, boulevards and parks with “small” architecture - gazebos, fountains, bridges, stairs)

Urban planning, covering the construction of new cities and towns and the reconstruction of old urban areas.

Architecture styles

Architecture is closely connected with the life of society, its views and ideology. Ancient Greek architecture is based on the idea of ​​a perfect, physically and spiritually developed person. Ancient architects built all their buildings according to the proportions of the human body, embodying harmony, opposition to the elements of nature, majestic clarity and humanity. “The style of the era” (Romanesque style, Gothic, etc.) arises mainly in those historical periods when the perception of works of art is different comparative inflexibility, when it still easily adapts to changes in style.

The great styles - Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, classicism, empire / variation of late classicism / - are usually recognized as equal and equivalent. The development of styles is asymmetrical, which is externally expressed in the fact that each style gradually changes from simple to complex; however, it returns from the complex to the simple only as a result of a leap. Therefore, changes in styles occur in different ways: slowly - from simple to complex, and abruptly - from complex to simple. The Romanesque style was replaced by the Gothic style for more than a hundred years - from the middle of the 12th century. until the middle of the 13th century. simple forms of Romanesque architecture gradually transform into a complicated Gothic style. Within the Gothic style, the Renaissance then matures. With the emergence of the Renaissance, a period of ideological quest began again, the emergence of an integral system of worldview. And at the same time, the process of gradual complication and disintegration of the simple begins again: the Renaissance becomes more complex, and behind it comes the Baroque. Baroque, in turn, becoming more complex, transforms into rococo in some types of art (architecture, painting, applied art). Then again there is a return to the simple, and as a result of the leap, classicism comes to replace baroque, the development of which in some countries has replaced the empire style.

The reasons for changing pairs of styles are as follows: reality does not choose a style among existing ones, but creates a new style and transforms the old one. The created style is the primary style, and the transformed style is the secondary style.

Architecture of the native land

Architecture of the Grodno region

Borisoglebskaya (Kolozhskaya) Church, a monument of ancient Russian architecture of the second half of the 12th century.

Mir Castle, included in the UNESCO List, Lida Castle (XIV–XV centuries)

Architecture of the Minsk region

Archcathedral Church Holy Virgin Mary (second half of the 17th – early 18th centuries)

Church of Saints Simeon and Helen (Red Church) - a monument of neo-Gothic architecture with Art Nouveau features (1908 – 1910)

Nesvizh palace and park complex (XVII–XVIII centuries)

Bernardine Church in the village of Budslav, Myadel district, a monument of Baroque architecture (XVIII century)

Architecture of the Vitebsk region

St. Sophia Cathedral, an architectural monument of the 11th – 18th centuries.

Spaso-Evfrosinevskaya Church, a monument of ancient Russian architecture (1152 – 1161). Unique frescoes have been preserved on its walls and columns.

Literature:

1. Gerchuk Yu.L. Fundamentals of artistic literacy. –M., 1998

2. Danilov V.N. Methods of teaching fine arts and artistic work. Mn., 2004

3. Kasterin N.P. educational drawing. –M.: Education, 1996

4. Lazuka B. Slounik terminology on architecture, revealed decaratine-practical art. – Mn., 2001

5. Nemensky B.M. Pedagogy of art. –M.: Education, 2007

Architecture

Architecture is the art of construction, the ability to design and create cities, residential buildings, public and industrial buildings, squares and streets, gardens and parks. In many cities of our country you will find ancient kremlins and churches, palaces and mansions, modern buildings theaters, libraries, youth palaces, in front of which you will want to stop and take a closer look.

The same way you would stand in a museum in front of interesting picture or sculpture. This is because buildings and streets, squares and parks, rooms and halls with their beauty can also excite the imagination and feelings of a person, like other works of art. Masterpieces of architecture are remembered as symbols of peoples and countries. The whole world knows the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the ancient Acropolis in Athens. However, unlike other arts, people not only contemplate works of architecture, but also constantly use them. Architecture surrounds us and forms a spatial environment for people's life and activities. These are the houses where you live; schools, technical schools, institutes where you study; in theaters, circuses and cinema - you have fun; in gardens, parks and courtyards - relax. Your parents work in factories and institutions; shops, canteens, train stations, and subways are constantly filled with visitors. It’s hard to even imagine how you can do without these and many other structures.

The diversity of architecture depends not only on the creative imagination of the architect (as the architect was called in Rus'), but also on the construction conditions: warm or cold climate, flat or mountainous terrain, the capabilities of construction equipment, wooden, stone or metal structures, aesthetic tastes of residents and much more. . Construction uses the labor of people of many professions - masons, designers, scientists and artists. They all work under the guidance of an architect. (Architect in Greek means "chief builder.") A person in this profession must have great technical and artistic knowledge. Admiring the Gothic cathedral, the Moscow Kremlin or the bicycle track in Krylatskoye, we admire not only the unique beauty of these structures, but also the work and skill of the builders.

Even in ancient times, the tasks of architecture were determined by three qualities - usefulness, durability, beauty. Each building must be useful and meet its intended purpose. This is manifested both in its external appearance and in the character of its internal premises. Residential building, theater and educational institution- three different types structures. Each of them has its own purpose, and each building must be comfortable: in one case - for housing, in another - for showing performances, in a third - for study. It is also important that each of them is durable and strong. After all, buildings are created not for one year, but for a long time. But architecture would not become art if the third important requirement was ignored - beauty.

The well-known human desire for beauty inspires the creative imagination of the architect to search for ever new unusual architectural forms, the uniqueness of the appearance and the brightness of the artistic image of the building. So we see a variety of buildings, both ancient and modern. Take, for example, multi-story residential buildings: one is tall, like a tower, another is in the form of a long straight plate, the third bends in a circle. They have the same purpose and similar designs, they are designed for the same climate, they are located in the same city, but the architect’s imagination for each of them found its own form, its own color scheme. This is how structures arise with their own individual features, by which we recognize them. And each building makes its own impression: one has a solemn, festive appearance, another - strict, the third - lyrical. Architectural monuments related to different eras and countries, differ from each other in appearance or style, just as the living conditions and artistic tastes of the people of those times differed. Look at the pictures and you will see for yourself.

A bright period in the history of Russian architecture was the mid-18th century. This is the time of rapid construction of palaces, large temples, the heyday of the Baroque style. The largest architect, who largely determined the style of buildings of that time, was V.V. Rastrelli (1700-1771). The facades of its buildings, painted in white, blue and gold, are unusually elegant. The enfilade of halls, richly decorated with stucco, and the wooden mosaic floors of rare beauty are magnificent. The best buildings of V.V. Rastrelli - Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo (now the city of Pushkin), Winter Palace and the Smolny Monastery in St. Petersburg, the Grand Palace in Peterhof. On the island of Kizhi in Lake Onega, the wooden Transfiguration Church (1714), the bell tower (1874) and the Intercession Church (1764), built without a single nail, have been preserved. Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was designed in the mid-19th century. engineer Gustave Eiffel. Originality, boldness of design and architectural form made the tower famous.

Architectural style reflects common features in the design of building facades, plans, shapes, and structures. Architectural styles were formed under certain economic and social development society under the influence of religion, government structure, ideology, architectural traditions and national characteristics, climatic conditions, landscape. The emergence of a new type of architectural style has always been associated with technological progress, changes in ideology and geopolitical structures of society. Let's consider some types of architectural styles that served as the basis for various trends in architecture in different periods of time.

Archaic architecture

Structures erected before the 5th century BC are usually classified as archaic architecture. Stylistically, the buildings of Mesopotamia and Assyria (states of Western Asia) are related to the buildings of Ancient Egypt. They are united by simplicity, monumentality, geometric shapes, and the desire for large sizes. There were also differences: Egyptian buildings are characterized by symmetry, while the architecture of Mesopotamia is characterized by asymmetry. The Egyptian temple consisted of a suite of rooms and was stretched horizontally; in the Mesopotamian temple, the rooms seem to be attached to each other randomly. In addition, one of the parts of the temple had a vertical orientation (ziggurat (sigguratu - peak) - a temple tower, a characteristic feature of the temples of the Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations).

Antique style

Antiquity, as a type of architectural style, dates back to Ancient Greece. Greek buildings were built in the likeness of the “megaron” residential building of the Cretan-Mycenaean era. In the Greek temple, the walls were made thick, massive, without windows, and a hole was made in the roof for light. The construction was based on a modular system, rhythm and symmetry.

Megaron means " big hall» - a rectangular house with a hearth in the middle (early 4th millennium BC)

The ancient architectural style became the basis for the development of the order system. There were directions in the order system: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. The Doric order appeared in the 6th century BC, it was distinguished by its severity and massiveness. The lighter and more elegant Ionic order appeared later and was popular in Asia Minor. The Corinthian order appeared in the 5th century. BC Colonnades became a hallmark of this type of architectural style. The architectural style, the photo of which is located below, is defined as antique, Doric order.

The Romans, who conquered Greece, adopted the architectural style, enriched it with decoration and introduced an order system into the construction of not only temples, but also palaces.

Romanesque style

Type of architectural style of the 10th-12th centuries. - received its name “Romanesque” only in the 19th century. thanks to art critics. The structures were created as a structure from simple geometric shapes: cylinders, parallelepipeds, cubes. Castles, temples and monasteries with powerful stone walls with teeth. In the 12th century towers with loopholes and galleries appeared at castle-fortresses.

The main buildings of that era were the temple, the fortress and the castle. The buildings of this era were simple geometric shapes: cubes, prisms, cylinders, during their construction vaulted structures were created, the vaults themselves were made cylindrical, cross-rib, cross. In the early Romanesque architectural style, walls were painted, and by the end of the 11th century. Three-dimensional stone reliefs appeared on the facades.

How does art relate to fine arts and stands on a par with painting, sculpture, etc. But at the same time, unlike painting and sculpture, architecture is functional and necessary.

Architecture as an art form lies at the intersection of art and science itself. It is impossible to become an architect without knowing physics, chemistry and mathematics (especially geometry), but at the same time it is also necessary to have an aesthetic sense, the ability to see, feel, understand and create beauty, the ability to grasp the beauty in surrounding objects and phenomena.

Architecture as an art form develops not only in the form of painting houses and wood carvings, but also experiments on the shapes of buildings. The broad cultural background for architecture as an art form is the aesthetics of Christianity and Islam, the aesthetics of feudalism, chivalry, the bourgeoisie, the peasantry, Soviet proletarian aesthetics, and so on ad infinitum.

Architecture(Greek αρχη - here: warp, origin; and lat. tectum- house, shelter) is the science and art of design and construction. Architecture is a system of buildings and structures that is an artistically organized space. This is a “stone chronicle”, “music in stone”.

Specifics of architecture as an art form:

1) The duality of architecture as a synthesis of the material and artistic sides, because it performs not only an aesthetic function in people’s lives, but also a practical one. The ancient Roman architect Vitruvius called them: strength, benefit(functional purpose) and beauty(creating an artistic image). The unity and harmony of these three factors creates architecture. Architecture is art, engineering, and construction, requiring enormous concentration of collective efforts and material resources.

2) Architecture as an art form is static and spatial. Although the time factor is also important for its perception, because It is impossible to see the interior and exterior of a building at the same time with a single glance.

3) Architectural buildings have two “artistic dimensions” - internal (interior) and external (exterior, external facade). Their images are connected to each other by a certain artistic logic.

4) Architecture tends to be ensemble-like. Its structures skillfully fit into the natural (natural) or urban (city) landscape.

5) Architecture does not reproduce reality pictorially, but is expressive in nature. It does not depict reality, but expresses some abstract ideas.

6) It is closely connected with the social environment, vividly and prominently reflects the era and at the same time creates its style.

Features of the architectural image.

1) Architecture does not depict nature, it depicts an idea- the idea of ​​a certain artistic image. (For example: ancient architecture - the idea of ​​measure, harmony, this measure is man; the Gothic temple - the idea of ​​striving for God, for the divine world). Architecture strives to embody not the individual qualities of a person, object, phenomenon, but the most general social and philosophical ideas time.

2) Artistic image is created not in a visual way, but with the help of specifically expressive means. Rhythm, ratio of volumes and masses, shapes, colors, lines, planes, connection with the surrounding landscape are means of expressiveness of architecture.

3) The architectural image is related to the landscape and climate. (For example: wide streets, large windows near houses in northern countries, on the contrary, narrow streets, small windows in southern cities.)

Types of architecture:

1) architecture - artistic design and construction of all possible buildings;

2) architecture of small forms - artistic design of objects surrounding buildings - lamp posts, kiosks, fence bars, etc.;

3) architecture of large forms - monumental objects (bridges, obelisks, triumphal arches etc.).

The materials of architecture are wood, stone (granite, marble, limestone, boulder, etc.), brick, glass, iron and concrete.

Architectural style is a set of characteristic features and attributes of architecture.
Characteristic features of a certain time and place, manifested in the features of the functional, constructive and artistic sides: the purpose of buildings, building materials and structures, methods of architectural composition - form the architectural style.

Architectural styles - full list:

≡ Navigation 40 styles

English façade: solid and durable

A modern English house combines several subtypes of style: Georgian, Victorian, Tudor.
The main features of such buildings are two floors, a steep roof slope, brickwork (usually red), a balcony with a balustrade, lattice windows, the presence of wild stone and forged parts in the decoration.
Signs of a home in English are an indispensable lawn at the entrance, as well as ivy or picturesque grapes on the walls. The British set up garages separately, under awnings. British design style is all about restraint, solidity and durability.

Barnhouse: simple but stylish

Barnhouse (from English - “barn house”) is an architectural style of the 20th-21st centuries.
The fashion for barnhouses originated in Western Europe - at the intersection of minimalism, loft and bio-tech. Externally, such a house looks simple: rectangular, gable roof (often without overhangs), laconic exterior decoration, no frills. At the same time, it is quite practical and convenient for life.

Baroque in the exterior: monumental splendor

Michelangelo is considered the trendsetter of Baroque fashion. In any case, Baroque houses are grandiose and pompous, like his sculptures. The scope, sinuosity, unity of construction and meticulous decoration - this is a brief overview of Baroque architecture.
Such a house requires space and funds, because the style includes bay windows with balconies, pilasters, recessed ceilings, arched openings, and even towers. And also rich decoration: molded rosettes, garlands, wreaths.
Windows in Baroque houses are often semicircular in shape, and the doors are framed by columns.

Victorian style: prestige and elegance

Architecture, popular in the 19th century in Foggy Albion and in the colonies, does not lose ground today.
Victorian houses have 2-3 floors, asymmetry, a complex, multifaceted roof, an attic, often a round turret, a spacious porch, trimmed with carved wood or metal, white or beige color.
However, the Victorian style has many variations, depending on the time and place of its penetration into a specific cultural environment.

Gothic in architecture: minted mystery

The style is legendary, historical, reminiscent of knights and fights. It is characterized by pointed, fan-shaped vaults, ribbed and vertical lines rushing to the sky, arches turning into pillars, coffered ceilings, elongated, often stained glass windows.
The Gothic style house has a sharp "skeleton"; its colors are yellow, brown, red, blue.
Both stone and wood are used as building materials, because the style was formed in different circumstances.
A house with a Gothic “face” is strict, graphically clear and darkly solemn!

Dutch style: unpretentious peace

Dwellings in kingdom of tulips and windmills– real hearths: comfortable, practical and durable. And all thanks to the conditions: unsteady, swampy soil forced the architects to be pedantically thorough, and the lack of space forced them to search for maximum utility and functionality of housing.
The qualities of Dutch house-building are a symmetrical layout, high gables, a sharp roof with wide hip ribs, windows with wooden shutters, light plastered walls and a base trimmed with stone.
The Dutch House is an ideal “haven” for those seeking privacy.

Deconstructivism: not like everyone else

The style of deconstructivism leaves no chance for any of the architectural absolutes. It is introduced into any environment with flashy broken shapes and structures that are difficult for visual perception.
Deconstructivism is not called the direction of architecture, but its negation, however, deconstructivists still have a foothold - constructivism and postmodernism.
Architects deliberately distort the principles and compositional motifs of these styles and end up with a dynamic and individual building project.

European Style: Popular Versatility

Conservative, solid and suitable for any landscape, the European house, for the most part, has a square shape and is built in 2-3 floors.
Features - a hipped, tiled roof, a plinth lined with stone or tiles, not very large, rectangular or arched windows, a balcony or bay window, a door in a contrasting color.
The decor is spare and rational, for example, wrought iron porch and balcony railings...

Italian architectural style: refined drama

Smooth, “swan” lines, arched windows, vaulted ceilings, pretty balconies and a natural palette of the facade (from gray to brown), here are the signs of this style.
Italian-style houses are built from stone and wood, and in the budget version - from brick and timber. The number of floors is from one to four.
The courtyard plays a key role in creating the image of a magnificent Italian villa: it must have paved paths, living fences, several sculptures, and a fountain. The fence is usually made of textured stone.

Country style house: warmth and soulfulness

This style has many faces and is based on local customs: for example, in France “rural” houses are made of stone, and in Canada they are made of logs. In any case, country style involves traditional and natural raw materials.
Distinctive touches of such an exterior are rusticity (cladding the external walls with faceted stones), inclusion of objects handmade(this could be forged door handles or a horseshoe at the entrance), the color of the facade, reminiscent of shades of clay, wood, sand. The yard is decorated with appropriate archaic elements: bird nests on poles, flower beds on carts, a model of a mill.

Classic style in the exterior: imitation of the best

Classical architecture is based on ancient canons, on the best examples Italian Renaissance, English Georgianism or Russian architecture.
Classicism in the exterior is the symmetry of the building (the main entrance is the axis around which the extensions are located), the presence of columns, triangular pediments, porticos, balustrades, balusters and other accessories of a particular architectural era.
Classic-type houses are decorated with pilasters and moldings. The preferred material, of course, is stone, however, nowadays decorative elements are well made from plaster or polyurethane.
Classic mansions are often two-story, light in color...

Colonial Exterior: Understated Charm

Wealthy immigrants and planters built their households, combining “imported” capital and comfort with local exoticism. This is how the colonial exterior came into being.
Houses in this style are monumental, with two floors. The layout is rectilinear, the entrance is supported by a colonnade. They are erected from stone, plaster neutral color. The door is massive, wooden. There is almost always a terrace available. The buildings feature large, panoramic windows that offer views of the garden or wildlife.

Perhaps the most famous subtype of colonial exterior is a bungalow, a one-story or attic mansion, with a spreading veranda along the entire width of the pediment.
Its color is traditionally white, reflective, because bungalows were built in the tropics, combining the features of a traditional English cottage, army tents and oriental tents.

Constructivism in architecture: simplicity as art

Houses in the constructivist style are highly functional and artistic expression which is achieved not through decorative elements, but through shapes and materials.
Laconic geometry and high expediency inherent in constructivism are intertwined today with naturalness, naturalness, an abundance of light and space in interior spaces.
The main building materials are: concrete, glass, metal, plastic and other modern raw materials.

Loft: fashionable fundamentality

The idea of ​​the style is to transform technological premises, factory floors, garages or hangars into bohemian, luxury apartments.

A loft-style house is a very spacious, tall, distinctly geometric building, usually with a minimum number of internal partitions.
The main building materials are brick and concrete.
The loft façade does not require any finishing, nor does it require siding.
The roof is often flat, but can be hip, pitched or gable. Panoramic windows.

Art Nouveau house: delightful chic

Once upon a time, this style became the banner of the movement for a new architecture, in defiance of the “boring” classics: with stately, curved lines, variety of shapes and decorations.
Since then, the contours of the openings in a modern house are necessarily rounded, the windows are decorated with wavy, elaborate grilles or stained glass, glazed tiles, mosaics, paintings are used in the decoration of the facade...
In general, “any whim,” since the goal of Art Nouveau is to show the individuality of the homeowner, emphasizing the originality of his nature.

Minimalism in architecture: freedom and light

Elementary and three-dimensional form, flat roof, huge windows, abundance of glass - this is what a cottage looks like in business, minimalist style.
Glass fragments are even mounted on the roof, and light plaster, stone or wood siding are used to decorate the facade.
Common colors are calm, natural: white, beige, olive, gray.

German-style houses: fabulous originality

These houses seem to have “jumped out” from the fairy tales of Hoffmann and the Brothers Grimm. They are compact and very neat in appearance.
The German style is characterized by laconicism, efficiency, lack of intricate decoration and natural color facade.
Such a dwelling has a square or rectangular shape, the base is covered with stone, and the gable roof is covered with red tiles.
A German house is decorated with a balcony or attic, as well as tinted boards - elements of half-timbered wood.
An original detail is the windows, separated by lintels and protected by shutters. The door is painted in a color that stands out against the background of the house.

Norwegian style: compact and environmentally friendly

A traditional Norwegian house is usually built from a carriage, that is, from half-hewn logs.
Single-story, squat, with small windows, it is nevertheless spacious inside, helped by the lack of a straight ceiling.
The decor of the exterior is primarily the texture of the building material. Color also contributes to aesthetics: Norwegian houses are painted in bright and rich colors - cherry, orange, rich green.
A common occurrence is a grass roof. This is not only a folklore “twist”, but also additional protection from heat and cold.

Postmodernism in architecture

Irony and paradox, theatricality and complex figurative associations - all this is about postmodernism, whose representatives present familiar forms in an unusual context and advocate that anything can be art.

Architecture in the Provence style: rustic romanticism

Why does this style know no boundaries?
— Because Provence is the embodiment of both brilliance and naivety, and also a symbol family values. It is believed that the name of the style was given by the French region, but “Provence” means “province”: pastoralism, simplicity, leisurely and measured - these are its main “trump cards”.
In the south of France, houses are mainly built from wild stone, making extensive use of pebbles and slate. In other places they resort to imitation, gypsum panels and slabs. But the roofs are always tiled, often multi-layered, of various levels.
The northern wall is necessarily blank. The windows on the lower floor may differ in size from the rest; they are often supplemented with sashes.
Natural colors are preferred: milky white, grass, straw. Extensions are welcome - verandas, terraces, kitchens, barns. The door is wooden, weighty, with forged hinges and a viewing window. The yard is covered with paving stones.

A house in the Provencal style is unthinkable without a plot with herbs, simple flowers and lavender in terracotta pots...

Prairie style (Wright style): harmony and functionality

“Frank Lloyd Wright is an innovative American architect. He had a huge influence on the development of Western architecture in the first half of the 20th century. Created "organic architecture" and promoted open plan architecture."

Wright-style houses blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape and decorate it.

Ranch style: thrift and thoroughness

This exterior is one of the most popular in “one-story” America. Having absorbed the nuances of other styles, features of bungalows and “prairie buildings,” it finally took shape at the beginning of the last century.
Low-rise ranch houses are “spread out” in width, complicated by extensions, plastered and painted with light colors.
The appearance of a ranch-style house reminds us that farmers began to build such housing: harsh, unpretentious people who value work, but also good rest!

Rococo in architecture: unbridled luxury

Such houses were preferred by French aristocrats. The classical order system on the basis of which they were erected is almost invisible due to the abundant, ornate decor.
The walls of the Rococo house are literally drowning in through patterns and lace details - curls, rocailles, cartouches.
Playful arches, slender colonnades, graceful cornices and railings add idleness to the premises and a pleasant lightness to life. Artistry and mannerism permeate the Rococo building like the sun through a crystal shard.
Traditional colors are soft pastel colors.

Romanesque style in architecture: my home is my fortress

The origins of this trend lie in the Middle Ages, when citadel castles arose everywhere. Their characteristic features – primitiveness silhouette, massiveness and brutality, because protection and shelter were main task similar monasteries.
The main building material was (and still is) stone. The construction of apses, towers with domes and arched vaults was diversified.
The window openings were narrow, like loopholes.
Of course, in the modern version, the Romanesque mansion does not look as trivial and rude as in ancient engravings.
The windows have become significantly larger, and the wild stone has been replaced by elegant stylization. But the principle remained unshakable: mansions in romanesque style should be large, heavy and unapproachable in appearance.

Russian architectural style: toy house

Exterior design in the Russian style is not as monotonous as it might seem. These are also houses typical of Slavic wooden architecture, and mansions in the style of Russian merchants, and noble estates.
Wood, of course, rules the roost.
A house in the Russian style rarely exceeds two floors, the roof is gable, the windows are small, covered with platbands, and a covered porch is highly desirable. Balconies, stairs, turrets will give the mansion a resemblance to fairytale hut, and the intricate carved decoration, the open veranda on figured supports - with boyar mansions.

Scandinavian style in the exterior: Nordic character

Among the features of this direction are: natural building materials, minimal decor, glass doors, huge windows (or an entire transparent wall), which is dictated by the lack of sunlight.
Scandinavian houses are covered with either white plaster or wooden paneling, which also fulfills an aesthetic mission: doors and windows are edged with dark wood, walls are sheathed with light wood, or vice versa.
The roof can be either flat or gable.

Mediterranean style house: glamor and bliss

Residences that could only be admired on the warm coast were also included in the design encyclopedia.
Their peculiarity is their light and joyful color (white, cream, pink); flat, tiled roof; half-open verandas covered with greenery; spacious balconies and rotundas; the presence of a swimming pool and, of course, a patio.
The building may consist of several parts flowing into each other. Windows and doorways are often horseshoe-shaped.
Preference is given to natural stone, ceramics, and wood.

Modern architectural style: freedom of choice

Its value lies in democracy. This design accepts any building materials, including the latest ones.
Such a house is distinguished by its simplicity and relevance. It does not need decoration or any stylistic tricks.
A gable roof, sufficient space, panoramic glazing and energy efficiency - perhaps all that is required...

Tudor style: noble heritage

The Tudor house is the material embodiment of a truly English character. He is imposing and a little old-fashioned, like a 100% gentleman.
Formed in the 16th century, combining touches of Gothic and Renaissance, Flemish and Italian motifs, the Tudor style still remains in demand.
Its attributes are thick walls, high chimneys, turrets, lancet openings. Well, of course, half-timbered- outer frame.
In the old days, such houses were built from stone and wood, but today they use aerated concrete, panels and blocks. Beams, cornices and shutters stand out as before dark color.
The main facade almost always contains a bay window, sometimes in the form of a turret.
It is impossible not to mention the roofing: Tudor roofs are complex, with long hips and high gables, with small dormers.
The entrance is in the form of an arch, lined with stone and decorated with the family coat of arms.
The area around the house is decorated with stone sidewalks, paved paths, wrought-iron fences and, of course, an English lawn.

Half-timbered houses: ancient flavor

Glimpses of this style appeared in the 15th century in Germany. Several centuries later, half-timbered wood “captured” the whole of Western Europe. They still turn to him today.

In essence, the half-timbered technique is a frame construction method. Its basis is fastenings made of wooden beams, racks, crossbars, and braces. They were once made of oak, intricately joined together with “secret” notches and wooden pins. The voids between the beams were compacted with clay, pebbles, and straw. The walls were plastered, whitewashed, and the frame was painted brown, cherry or black. It served as an ornament to the façade, dividing it into clear segments. Houses lined with wooden patterns are still called half-timbered.

Today, in the construction of modern half-timbered houses, insulated panels, double-glazed windows are used, and large panoramic windows are installed. Thus, combining ancient crafts and new technologies, they create an exclusive image of the home.

Farmhouse style: maximum air

This exterior is a broad category: its English modification differs significantly from the Italian one, and the Italian one from the North American one. Let's look at the general details.
Farm houses are often one-story, light in color, with unobtrusive decor. A notable feature is a large porch or open veranda, which, if space allows, can stretch along the perimeter of the house.
For finishing, either wood or materials imitating it are chosen. The windows are large, with a good view, the door is often also glass...

Finnish style: scent of wood

Another type of wooden exterior.
For façade cladding, Finns use clapboard or planken.
The height is one and a half to two floors. The roof is gable, ceramic tile. There is often a terrace in front of the house, and above it a glazed balcony.
The color of the facade is wood shades or light paints: blue, gray, beige.
The highlight of a Finnish home is, of course, the sauna.

Fusion style: harmony of contradictions

This amazing style sweeps away laws and rules.
The architect and designer are free to use any materials, shapes, textures... And even principles!
Unlike eclecticism, which interweaves individual details of similar exteriors into a whole, fusion is a daring attempt to combine diametrically opposed things. For example, industrial design(loft) and baroque fragments. Or gothic with ethno.
In addition, the style involves the use of a complex color scheme, a variety of decor... And, of course, a subtle artistic flair that will not allow you to slip into architectural cacophony And design heresy.

High-tech in architecture: on the verge of fantasy

Such houses are a challenge to traditions and a demonstration of scientific achievements.
High-tech real estate is noticeable from afar thanks to wind generators and solar panels. The layout assumes significant home sizes and cubic shapes.
The walls are absolutely flat, the structure is smooth, the materials are concrete, glass, metal and plastic.
Color scheme – white, black, silver, shades of various metals.
High-tech - houses are also different large area glazing.
The terrace may be open, but the central door is also glass and sliding. Roofs are often flat, in the form of flat platforms that are easy to adapt for recreation. The facades are equipped with lighting.

Czech house: a secluded place

The design of Czech cottages echoes European ones architectural traditions. Czech mansions are distinguished by their regular geometry, squatness, high and multifaceted tiled roofs, and stone foundations.
However, instead of tiles, they are sometimes covered with straw, which harmonizes with the rural landscape. Windows and doors are streamlined, rounded...

Chalet style houses: reliable protection

It's hard to believe that in the past, the chalet was just a shepherd's house at the foot of the mountains. Cut off from civilization, this shelter had to be resilient, invulnerability, have the required level of comfort.
The foundation and first floor were built of stone, the attic was built of logs. The roof of Alpine houses is gable, flat, with significant projections turning into awnings.
The facade faces east, living rooms to the south. The chalet has at least one spacious balcony.

Chalet in modern form– not only stone and wood, but also brick and concrete, as well as panoramic windows and a large terrace...

Chateau style house: noble nest

Actually, that's what they were called country estates French nobles, consisting of a castle, a park and, often, a winery. The famous Versailles is essentially a chateau.

The style of this exterior is determined by classical proportions, large number lancet windows decorated with sash, multi-pitched roof, graceful gables, wide terraces, spacious balconies with forged, filigree railings and bay windows.
The walls can be finished with rusticated stone, brick, or decorated with stucco.
The base is usually made of natural stone, and the roof is made of tiles.
The chateau-style façade is a proud sign of family nobility.

Swedish style: sweet naturalness

Part of the Scandinavian style, Swedish domestic architecture continues the tradition of dramatic simplicity.
The peculiarity of the Swedish cottage is its contrasting color: its walls are painted red, and the corners, window frames and doors are highlighted in relief with white.
The buildings are often wooden, the windows are large, because sunlight It is especially valued in these parts.

Ethnic style: from tower to wigwam

National style is the soul of ethnic style. This could be a house resembling a Russian log house, built using timber and topped with a ridge on the roof. Or a mansion with an oriental “accent” in the form of Arabic ornaments, Persian grilles and tiles. In other words, there are as many cultures and building traditions as there are sources that feed the diverse ethno-exterior.

Japanese style in architecture: laconicism and lightness

Japanese country houses can be seen not only in the country Rising Sun. This is because Japanese style is incredibly organic.
Its strengths are clarity, perfection, and unpretentious lines.
The materials are stone, glass and wood, the palette is restrained.
Sliding doors in such a house are on each side; the central entrance is often complemented by a stepped deck, reminiscent of a porch and bridge.
The house can have a covered veranda with a wide view, and an open terrace.
The continuation of the Japanese home is an authentic landscape: a mini-pond, several picturesque boulders and a couple of dwarf pine trees will turn even an ordinary home into a philosopher’s refuge.