Over the past century, the world of architecture has undergone significant changes. These developments can be categorized into two main types: traditional architecture and modern architecture.
Each of these styles has its own positive and negative features, influencing the formation of living spaces and even the culture of societies.
Modern architecture emerged between the 1930s and 1960s, first in Western Europe and later in North America. This style was essentially a response to classical and historicist architecture, beginning with a fundamental question: How should we live today? From this perspective, new ideas such as modern villa designs, family apartments, and contemporary furniture emerged, gradually transforming the face of architecture worldwide.
The roots of these changes can be traced back to the industrialization of societies. Before that, many people lived above their workplaces or shops, but with the rise of urbanization and technology, the need for independent family spaces increased. This shift led to the emergence of new housing design styles, including modern villas with open layouts and natural lighting.
Today, modern architecture has reached a stage where it offers an intelligent combination of functionality and aesthetics.
Modern architecture cannot be confined to a single style or form. This movement has evolved over time in response to social and technological changes. Modernism was originally a reaction to ornate and historic styles such as Baroque and Gothic, which were prevalent in the 19th century. This new approach was influenced by artistic and philosophical movements like Cubism, Dadaism, and Futurism. Renowned architects such as Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe are known for the concept of buildings as ‘machines for living,’ and both had experience designing factories before they began designing residential spaces.
This movement quickly led to transformations in construction methods. The demand for new materials such as concrete, steel, and glass increased—materials that later became the primary components in building modern villas and contemporary homes. The use of these materials allowed architects greater creativity in designing and executing both residential and commercial projects.
Another outcome of modern architecture was the expanded use of prefabricated components. This innovation influenced not only construction but also furniture design, reaching its peak with the rise of mass production in the second half of the 20th century. A prominent example is flat-pack furniture, which was easy to assemble and reflected the modern emphasis on functionality and simplicity.
Today, architects and contractors, in addition to using modern materials, also employ digital tools such as construction time management apps. These technologies help them manage modern villa designs and other building projects with greater precision, optimize scheduling and workforce allocation, and make the construction process more transparent. Just as flat-pack furniture brought new order and speed to interior design, these tools have introduced fresh accuracy and efficiency to the architecture and construction industry.
Traditional architecture has developed throughout history and across the world, drawing its main inspiration from nature. A key concept in this approach is the belief that ‘nothing is entirely new.’ As a result, examples of this architecture can be seen from Ancient Greece and Rome to Victorian England. Traditional architecture is essentially an attempt to recreate or emulate previous styles; buildings were designed with grandeur, comfort, and immense scale to inspire awe. These structures were primarily constructed for palaces, government buildings, and churches, setting a precedent for building forms over the centuries. Famous temples like the Parthenon in Greece and the Colosseum in Rome have inspired centuries of architectural design. Arches and columns, hallmark elements of this architecture, were present in almost every building until the 19th century, when new technologies and movements began to reshape the course of architecture.
Traditional architecture can be divided into different periods. From Ancient Greek and Roman architecture to medieval architecture, each period is recognized as an independent style, yet all are connected within a shared historical and cultural context. This categorization includes styles such as Ancient Egyptian architecture, Roman architecture, and Islamic architecture, each possessing its own distinct features and symbols.
Ancient Greece is recognized as one of the most influential cultures of the Classical era and is often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization. Democracy, philosophy, science, art, and literature flourished during this period, and Greek architectural works continue to be inspirational. The Romans, meanwhile, left a lasting legacy with iconic structures such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Trajan’s Column—buildings that still stand today and have had a profound impact on the history of architecture worldwide.
One way to tell if a building is Islamic or not is by looking at its main feature that you cannot find in Christian churches: the mihrab. This formal niche that points towards Mecca indicates where worshipers must pray and is typically located in the main prayer hall. There are several different styles of Islamic architecture including Egyptian, Persian, and Mughal.
This era was also known for its advancements in engineering and technology, particularly in Venice and Genoa where ships took on a new design that included stern posts raised higher into the air to help with steering. It allowed sailors to go faster by cutting through the water instead of pushing against it. This new design led to even more trade routes being set up between Europe and Asia.
The first-generation industry was coal mining, which began during the Industrial Revolution around the 1760s. Coal was used as fuel to power machines like steam engines that were able to take on bigger tasks like cutting and shaping metals to aid in the production of iron.
This era also enabled mass production. Machines such as the spinning jenny and power looms increased factory productivity, shifting production from homes to large factories. This change forced farmers to migrate to cities in search of employment in factories and workshops. Architecture, in turn, shifted from residential buildings toward commercial structures such as train stations, warehouses, and office complexes.
The architectural language of this period consisted mainly of rectangular shapes, with flat roofs and square windows. Decorative elements were added later, once architects became more confident with steel structures and sought to enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings.
Today, we see a resurgence of certain classical architectural elements, but modern architecture is moving toward complexity and sophistication. This international style emphasizes simplicity, order, functionality, and material expression. Modernism avoids unnecessary ornamentation, favoring functional elements found in nature, such as concrete, steel, and glass. However, there are no limits to architects’ creativity, and combining styles can create a fresh and contemporary appearance.
Towards the end of this era, architects started using new technologies like computers to make buildings more complex without making them look too busy. The International Style wasn’t meant to last forever, though, as advancements in technology made it possible for architects to explore other possibilities through different materials like wood, bricks, stone, and copper.
Today, architecture around the world encompasses a wide variety of styles, with architects designing based on local context, culture, and historical background. They are also well-versed in building safety standards and specialized inspections, such as the 40-year recertification. For this reason, fully contemporary structures can be found alongside historic buildings, such as at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Architecture has undergone many changes throughout history and continues to evolve. In the first generation of industry, coal mining formed the foundation of the industrial economy, and building materials shifted from wood and brick to concrete, steel, and glass.
Buildings were mostly rectangular, and traditional styles lost their popularity until modern materials enabled greater creativity and innovative experimentation.
Today, architects leverage advanced technologies and modern tools to design projects with diverse styles and forms that were not possible in the past, while always remaining in harmony with the local context and environment.