British Architecture The Middle Ages AngolSaxon architecture Architecture

British Architecture

The Middle Ages Angol-Saxon architecture Architecture of the Anglo-Saxon period exists only in the form of churches, the only structures commonly built in stone apart from fortifications. Anglo-Saxon churches are typically high and narrow and consist of a nave and a narrower chancel; these are often accompanied by a west tower. Some feature porticus (projecting chambers) to the west or to the north and south, creating a cruciform plan.

The famous saxon church at Earls Barton Church, Northamptonshire (England)

Norman architecture The Normans destroyed a large proportion of England's churches and built Romanesque replacements, a process which encompassed all of England's cathedrals. Romanesque churches are characterised by rounded arches, arcades supported by massive cylindrical piers, groin vaults and low-relief sculptural decoration. Distinctively Norman features include decorative chevron patterns.

Norwich Castle: round arches are characteristic of the Romanesque style

Gothic architecture The Gothic architectural tradition originated in France in the mid-12 th century and spread rapidly to England. The Gothic style arose largely from the introduction of large windows, often filled with stained glass and subdivided by decorative stone tracery. Other distinctive features of the style: pointed arches, rib vaults, buttresses and pinnacles.

Wells Cathedral

Vernacular architecture Most buildings were built on timber frames, usually with wattle and daub infill. Roofs were typically covered with thatch; wooden shingles were also employed, and from the 12 th century tile and slate came into use in some areas

Alfriston Clergy House

Other buildings of the Middle Ages White Tower

Durham Cathedral

Haddon Hall

King's College Chapel

Tudor transition The Tudor period constitutes a transitional phase, in which the organic continuity and technical innovation of the medieval era gave way to centuries in which architecture was dominated by a succession of attempts to revive earlier styles. Characteristic features of the early Tudor style included imposing gatehouses (a vestige of the castle), flattened pointed arches in the Perpendicular Gothic manner, square-headed windows, decoratively shaped gables and large

Montacute House

Hampton Court Palace

Longleat House

Hardwick Hall

Styles of the 17 th century a world turned upside down

During the 17 th century the continuing advance of Classical forms overrode the eclecticism of English Renaissance architecture, which gave way to a more uniform style derived from continental models, chiefly from Italy. The style was typified by square or roundheaded windows and doors, flat ceilings, colonnades, pilasters, pediments and domes. Classical architecture in England tended to be relatively plain and simple in comparison with the contemporaneous Baroque architecture of the continent, being influenced above all by the Palladian style of Italy. This was first introduced to England by Inigo Jones and typified by his Queen's

Other Buildings of the 17 th century St Paul's Cathedral

Blenheim Palace

Buildings of the 18 th century Chiswick House

Kedleston Hall

Strawberry Hill

Victorian architecture The 19 th century saw a fragmentation of English architecture, as Classical forms continued in widespread use but were challenged by a series of distinctively English revivals of other styles, drawing chiefly on Gothic, Renaissance and vernacular traditions but incorporating other elements as well. The first great ideologue of this movement was Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, who together with Charles Barry designed the new Houses of Parliament, the grandest work of Victorian Gothic architecture.

The Gothic revival drove a widespread effort to restore deteriorating medieval churches, a practice which often went beyond restoration to involve extensive reconstruction. The most active exponent of this activity was also the most prolific designer of new Gothic buildings, George Gilbert Scott, whose work is exemplified by St Pancras Station.

Other Victorian buildings Red house

Castell Coch

Glasgow School of Art

Modern architecture International Style: emerged as a reaction against the world before First World War, including historical architectural styles. Stylistically it was functional, drawing upon objects that were designed for a specific purpose such as Oceanliners. Brutalist architecture: The reconstruction that followed the Second World War had a major impact upon English architecture. Significant "New Brutalist" buildings were the Economist Building, the Hayward Gallery, the Barbican Arts Centre and the Royal National Theatre.

National Theatre Hayward-gallery Barbican Arts Centre and lakeside terrace

High-Tech architecture: emerged as an attempt to revitalise the language of Modernism, it drew inspiration from technology to create new architectural expression. Hightech architecture is mostly associated with non -domestic buildings, perhaps due to the technological imagery. The two most prominent proponents were Lord Rogers of Riverside and Lord Foster of Thames Bank. Rogers' most iconic English building is Lloyd's Building, situated nearby is Foster's most famous English building Swiss Re Buildings

Lloyd's building Swiss Re Building

Postmodern architecture: also emerged as an attempt to enrich Modern architecture. It was especially fashionable in the 1980 s, when Modernism had fallen from favour, being associated with the welfare state. Many shopping malls and office complexes for example Broadgate used this style.

Other buildings of the 20 th century Civic Centre

The De le Warr Pavilion

The Royal Festival Hall