Architectural Styles Vocabulary

reviving ancient Greek and Roman forms

“Neoclassical government buildings evoke democratic ideals.”

Origin: From neo- (Greek neos `new`) + classical

medieval style featuring pointed arches and ribbed vaults

“Gothic cathedrals reached unprecedented heights.”

Origin: From Goths, Germanic tribes; originally pejorative

1920s-30s style with bold geometry and rich colors

“The Chrysler Building exemplifies Art Deco.”

Origin: From French Arts Décoratifs, from 1925 Paris exposition

functionalist German design school emphasizing form following function

“Bauhaus principles still influence modern design.”

Origin: German Bauhaus `building house`, from bauen `to build` + Haus `house`

style featuring raw concrete and massive geometric forms

“Brutalist buildings divided opinion but made bold statements.”

Origin: French béton brut `raw concrete`, coined by Le Corbusier

rejecting modernist austerity in favor of ornamentation and irony

“Postmodern architecture playfully references historical styles.”

Origin: From post- (Latin `after`) + modern

architecture using local materials and traditional methods

“Vernacular cottages reflect regional building traditions.”

Origin: Latin vernaculus `domestic, native`, from verna `home-born slave`

style using the fewest possible elements

“The minimalist house featured clean lines and open spaces.”

Origin: From minimum (Latin minimus `smallest`) + -ist

design harmonizing with the natural environment

“Fallingwater exemplifies organic architecture.”

Origin: From organic (Greek organikos `of an organ`) + architecture

style featuring fragmented, distorted forms

“Gehry's Bilbao museum is deconstructivist.”

Origin: From deconstruction (philosophical term) + -ist