How do you identify the architectural style of a building?

2 Step 2: Examine the details and decorations

The next step to identify the architectural style of a building is to examine its details and decorations. Look at the ornaments, the patterns, the colors, and the materials. What are they made of? Are they natural or artificial? Are they plain or elaborate? Are they geometric or organic? How are they applied and distributed? For example, a Baroque building may have a lot of curves, scrolls, and gold, while a Renaissance building may have a lot of classical motifs, such as columns, pediments, and domes.

3 Step 3: Compare and contrast with other examples

The final step to identify the architectural style of a building is to compare and contrast it with other examples. Look for similarities and differences among buildings that belong to the same or different styles. How do they relate to each other? How do they reflect their historical and cultural contexts? What are their influences and innovations? For example, a Modernist building may have a minimalist and functional design, while a Postmodernist building may have a playful and eclectic design.

4 Tip 1: Use online resources and tools

If you are not sure about the architectural style of a building, you can use online resources and tools to help you. There are many websites, blogs, books, and videos that explain and illustrate different architectural styles and their features. You can also use online tools, such as Google Lens, to scan and search for images of buildings and get information about their styles.

5 Tip 2: Visit and experience the buildings

Another way to identify the architectural style of a building is to visit and experience it in person. By walking around and inside the building, you can get a better sense of its scale, proportion, and atmosphere. You can also notice details and elements that you may miss from a distance or a picture. You can also learn more about the building's history, purpose, and meaning from plaques, guides, or exhibitions.

6 Tip 3: Ask questions and learn from others

A final way to identify the architectural style of a building is to ask questions and learn from others. You can ask experts, such as architects, historians, or professors, who can provide you with more insights and knowledge about the building and its style. You can also ask fellow civil engineers, who can share their opinions and experiences about the building and its design. You can also ask yourself, what do you like or dislike about the building and its style? How does it make you feel? What does it tell you about its creators and users?