Frequently Asked Question
What are the most famous architectural styles?
“Aside from the historic styles (Greek, Roman, Baroque, Rococo, etc.), International Style, Art Deco, Brutalism, Art Nouveau, are prominent styles,” say Kaminski and Pew. Midcentury modern is also famed, according to Schwert. “Midcentury modern is a very famous style, and I find it particularly interesting as it was such a clear manifestation of the zeitgeist of the mid-20th century,” Schwert says. “There is an embrace of innovation, functionality, and a rejection of traditional form, ornament, and construction.”
What was the first architectural style?
Prehistoric architecture is largely the oldest “architectural style,” but it is not a defined aesthetic in the same way Art Deco or midcentury modern are viewed. According to Kaminski and Pew, ancient Egyptian architecture is among the first frameworks that mirrors what we’d think of as a style today. “Egypt features some of the oldest surviving buildings in the world, and as a result ancient Egyptian architecture is widely considered one of the first architectural ‘styles,’” the pair explain.
What is the newest architectural style?
It might be too soon to name a new architectural style—distance and time is often required to truly see a movement take shape, says Kaminski and Pew. “Some argue the democratization of information [through the internet] has led to an overwhelming sameness and cultural stagnation,” they say. “Others believe that the siloed nature of social media allows many styles to flourish contemporaneously.”
