by Mark Waybill

Created on: October 12, 2009

Modern architecture differs from classical architecture in many ways as I will soon point out. First, however, let us define what we mean when we refer to 'modern' and 'classical' architecture. Modern architecture could be thought of as being contemporary architecture, and that is the definition I will use. Let us not confuse this with Modernist architecture, a style of the last century. I will also limit my definition of modern architecture to only recent styles and not those of the preceding century.

By classical architecture one could mean a variety of things. One could, for instance, refer to the architecture of ancient civilizations like Rome or Greece, to those styles influenced heavily by the former styles such as Renaissance architecture, or by old architecture in general. I will define 'classical' architecture as the varying styles used between the Greek civilization and the Gothic Revival of the 1800s.

The most obvious differences that come to mind are of course the visual ones, as seen when looking at the facade of a building. It does not take an expertly trained eye to note that an ancient building, say a palace or museum, has such features as columns, whereas a more modern building may have features such as flush glass walls and steel framing. But this is largely dependent on individual architectural style within an age, rather than the age in which it was built.

Thus the main differences between classical and modern architecture are not so much in style and form, as this varies widely even within an age or style, but in function and materials. Classical buildings were constructed using different materials to most modern buildings, and it was not until last century that the now familiar glass and steel structures became common. Also such inventions as escalators and lifts were not invented until quite recently.

However there are some common themes and forms had by classical architecture which most non imitating modern works usually lack. The use of columns has largely gone out of fashion since they serve little utilitarian purpose in this day and age of steel girders and reinforced concrete, and are only used in large buildings like shopping malls. The use of decorative designs has also gone out of fashion, and modern architecture is the domain of large bold areas of color and texture, rather than more intricate designs as was popular till quite recently. Art Deco is a good example of a style of architecture in the era of architectural and engineering revolution. It is complicated, but symmetrical and geometric, thus modern but decorative, as its name suggests.

But such styles as Brutalism, Modernism etc are more simple in plan and lack intricate decorative features. These days most contemporary designs use flat shapes and forms, and are simply decorated with large and simple shapes and forms, usually utilizing color and texture more than decoration to give effect and character.

There are of course a whole host of other differences between the two rather broad categories of design, and I have only touched the surface. However when considering imitation styles like Gothic Revival, and the variety of styles present in any era, classical and modern architecture are rather vague terms, and in my opinion it would be better to compare engineering practices, and the materials and methods employed in building, when contrasting the old with the new.

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