"Architectural theory is the act of thinking, discussing, and writing about architecture."
The study of the written works by architects and theorists of the Renaissance, which documented and analyzed the principles and practices of the era's architecture.
Humanism: A philosophical movement that focused on the potential and achievements of human beings, as well as their ability to discover and create knowledge.
Vitruvius: A Roman architect who wrote the influential De architectura, a treatise on architecture that served as a template for architectural conventions for many centuries.
Alberti: An Italian Renaissance humanist author, architect, and artist, portrayed as the embodiment of the Renaissance ideal of the universal man. He wrote extensively on art, architecture, and philosophy, including the influential De re aedificatoria.
Palladio: An Italian architect who revived the classical architectural style in the Renaissance, he wrote The Four Books of Architecture that codified classical orders and design principles that would have a long-standing influence on architecture.
Andrea Palladio: An Italian architect known for his work on public buildings and villas, he is considered one of the greatest architects of the Renaissance, Palladio wrote a treatise, I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura.
Brunelleschi: A Florentine master of various arts, including architecture, his work on the development of linear perspective, and the construction of the dome for the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral in Florence, marks him as one of the greatest architects of the Renaissance.
Classicism: A stylistic and philosophical movement that emphasizes the ideas and forms of ancient Greece and Rome, the principles of balance, symmetry, and proportion that are derived from classicism have had a lasting impact on architecture.
Order: The systematic arrangement of architectural elements such as columns, pilasters, architraves, and entablatures according to the classical orders, Greek and Roman conventions that dictated the proportions and details of columns, capitals, and bases.
Geometry: The branch of mathematics that deals with the measurement, properties, and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids, geometry informs the principles of composition, proportion, symmetry, and harmony that underpin classical architecture.
Symmetry: The quality of being balanced and proportionate on each side of a central axis or plane. Symmetry creates a sense of order, harmony, and balance in architecture, as it ensures that all parts of the building are in proportion.
Proportion: The relationship between the various parts of a building, in particular, the relationship between the height, width, and depth of its components. Proportion harmonizes spatial relationships and the visual language of buildings.
Ornament: The decorative detailing of buildings, ornament plays a significant role in classical architecture, where it is used to emphasize and embellish the buildings' geometry, proportion, and symmetry.
Perspective: The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and scenes on a flat surface, perspective enables architects to represent buildings in a realistic and accurate way, and to create a sense of depth and distance within the building's form.
Typography: The art and technique of arranging typefaces and fonts to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. Typography is a significant element of architectural treatises, as it allows architects to present their ideas in a clear, concise, and visually appealing way.
Treaty: A written agreement between two or more parties, treaty texts play a key role in the transmission of architectural knowledge and ideas, by codifying and standardizing architectural practices and principles.
Treatises on Classical Architecture: These treatises discuss the elements of classical architecture such as columns, entablatures, and pediments.
Treatises on Proportions: These treatises explore the rules of proportion used in Renaissance architecture.
Treatises on Building Techniques: These treatises explain the methods of construction used in Renaissance architecture.
Treatises on Perspective: These treatises illustrate the use of perspective in architectural drawings.
Treatises on City Planning: These treatises discuss the planning and design of cities and urban spaces.
Treatises on Garden Design: These treatises explore the design of gardens and outdoor spaces.
Treatises on Ornamentation: These treatises discuss the use of ornamentation in architectural design.
Treatises on Architectural Theory: These treatises explore the principles and concepts behind Renaissance architecture.
Treatises on Mannerism: These treatises discuss the artistic style of mannerism and its influence on Renaissance architecture.
Treatises on Vitruvian Architecture: These treatises are based on the works of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius and explore the principles of architecture he wrote about.
"Architectural theory is taught in all architecture schools."
"Architectural theory is practiced by the world's leading architects."
"Some forms that architecture theory takes are the lecture or dialogue, the treatise or book, and the paper project or competition entry."
"Architectural theory is often didactic."
"Theorists tend to stay close to or work from within schools."
"It has existed in some form since antiquity."
"As publishing became more common, architectural theory gained an increased richness."
"Books, magazines, and journals published an unprecedented number of works by architects and critics in the 20th century."
"Styles and movements formed and dissolved much more quickly than the relatively enduring modes in earlier history."
"It is to be expected that the use of the internet will further the discourse on architecture in the 21st century."
"Architectural theory is the act of thinking, discussing, and writing about architecture."
"Architectural theory is taught in all architecture schools."
"Architectural theory is practiced by the world's leading architects."
"Some forms that architecture theory takes are the lecture or dialogue, the treatise or book, and the paper project or competition entry."
"Theorists tend to stay close to or work from within schools."
"It has existed in some form since antiquity."
"As publishing became more common, architectural theory gained an increased richness."
"Books, magazines, and journals published an unprecedented number of works by architects and critics in the 20th century."
"It is to be expected that the use of the internet will further the discourse on architecture in the 21st century."