WHY DO WE STUDY HISTORY of

ARCHITECTURE ?

Architectural history is the discipline that records, studies and

interprets architecture.

It studies its forms, purposes, and most importantly its

EVOLUTION.

Studying architectural history enables us to understand the society Studying architectural history enables us to understand the society

and culture they represent AND THEIR INFLUENCE, which is

very useful when working as a contemporary architect. So,

It teaches us to understand how and why each era since the

beginning of time formed its own unique style.

The ''why'' is what really

must be understood in

order to produce the kind

of a architecture our

contemporary society

needs because

architectural should

reflect the philosophies

prevalent at any given prevalent at any given

time. For example,

FORTS were built with

not only defense in

mind, but also to allow

civilians and livestock to

come inside during a

time of war;

whereas GOTHIC

ARCHITECTURE was

designed in order to inspire

awe in the minds of the

congregation every time

anyone saw them. This awe

lingers with us even today.

The study of architectural

history can also be a good way

to inspire modern day

architects into trying new

forms of design.

SO,

Which qualities abstracted from tradition will best meet the

forms suggested inherently by new materials and

construction technology ?

What are the mistakes architects made because they did not

research the history of style and mechanics already used in research the history of style and mechanics already used in

other projects?

However, architectural history, like any other form of

historical study, is subject to the limitations and

subjectivity of history as a discipline.

Concept of space

and space-making,

the behavioral

patterns,

impressions people

have about scale,

grandeur and

perception of built

form - all these form - all these

have been shaped

by history and have

a direct bearing on

the architectural

design of the

present.

But by far the most important

aspect of history is the responses

to the issues to ecology &

sustainability in the architecture

of the past and the reverence

shown towards the gifts of the

nature by all the ancient

civilizations of the world

4.4 mya Earliest evidence of pre-human hominid species

4-2 mya Hominid species-in Ethiopia

1.8 mya Nutcracker Man discovered in Tanzania by Mary Leakey

1.8 mya Homo habilis or tool-making man

1.7 mya Homo erectus or erect man

TIME LINE

1.7 mya Homo erectus or erect man

~1 mya Homo erectus begins to migrate to Europe and Asia

100,000-

40,000Neanderthal Man, in Africa and Europe

100,000+ Homo sapiens, or wise man

10,000-

6,000

Shift from Hunter Gatherer to food producer in

some areas (West Asia initially, Egypt by 6,000)

c.5000-3000 Yangshao culture in China