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Arts & architecture

ARCHITECTURE

The art of designing and constructing buildings.

pyramid

Construction with a square base and four triangular faces; it served as a tomb for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, represented here by the pyramid of Cheops.

Greek theater

Open-air structure, often built on a hillside, where theatrical performances were staged during antiquity.

Greek temple

Building that, in antiquity, was dedicated to a divinity and featured a statue of that divinity.


Greek temple [1]	Greek temple [2]	plan

architectural styles

The architectural styles, or orders, of ancient Greece are distinguished by rules of proportion that govern a building’s columns, entablature and pediment.


Ionic order	Doric order	Corinthian order

Roman house

For wealthy Romans, family life unfolded in spacious luxurious houses whose rooms were arranged around open-air spaces.

Roman amphitheater

Oval or round building composed of an arena surrounded by tiers; it was used mainly to stage gladiator fights.


Roman amphitheater	underground

castle

Fortified residence of a feudal lord, designed to protect against assailants.

Vauban fortification

Star-shaped military fortification developed by the Frenchman Vauban in the 17th century.

cathedral

The main church of a diocese, the site of the bishop’s see.


Gothic cathedral	vault	façade

plan

pagoda

Place of worship for Buddhists of the Far East, usually made up of a series of stories, each with its own roof.

Aztec temple

Pyramid-shaped religious edifice of pre-Columbian Mexico featuring one or several temples.

elements of architecture

Collective term for the components used in the construction of buildings.


semicircular arch	examples of arches	examples of roofs [1]

examples of roofs [2]	examples of roofs [3]	examples of roofs [4]

examples of roofs [5]	examples of windows	examples of doors [1]

examples of doors [2]	examples of doors [3]	examples of doors [4]