Architecture | Definition, Techniques, Types, Schools, Theory, & Facts

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Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/topic/architecture">Introduction</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref31795"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture#ref31795">Use</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31796"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-types">Architectural types</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31797" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-types#ref31797">Domestic architecture</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31798"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-types#ref31798">“Vernacular” architecture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31799"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-types#ref31799">“Power” architecture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31800"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-types#ref31800">Group housing</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31801" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture">Religious architecture</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31802"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture#ref31802">Places of worship</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31803"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture#ref31803">Shrines and memoria</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31804"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture#ref31804">Funerary art</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31805"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture#ref31805">Governmental architecture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31806" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture#ref31806">Recreational architecture</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31807"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theatres">Theatres</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31808"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theatres#ref31808">Auditoriums</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31809"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theatres#ref31809">Athletic facilities</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31810"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theatres#ref31810">Museums and libraries</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31811"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theatres#ref31811">Architecture of welfare and education</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31812"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theatres#ref31812">Commercial and industrial architecture</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31813"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning">Architectural planning</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31814" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning#ref31814">Planning the environment</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31815"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning#ref31815">Orientation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31816"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning#ref31816">Architectural forms</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31817"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning#ref31817">Colour</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31818"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning#ref31818">Materials and techniques</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31819"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Architectural-planning#ref31819">Interior control</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31820" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Planning-for-use">Planning for use</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31821"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Planning-for-use#ref31821">Differentiation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31822"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Planning-for-use#ref31822">Circulation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31823"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Planning-for-use#ref31823">Facilitation</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31824"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Planning-for-use#ref31824">Economic planning</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref31825"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Techniques">Techniques</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31826"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Techniques#ref31826">Materials</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31827"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Techniques#ref31827">Stone</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31828"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Brick">Brick</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31829"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Brick#ref31829">Wood</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31830"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Iron-and-steel">Iron and steel</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31831"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Iron-and-steel#ref31831">Concrete</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31832"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Methods">Methods</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31833" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Methods#ref31833">Wall</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31834"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Methods#ref31834">Load-bearing wall</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref31835"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Methods#ref31835">Nonbearing wall</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31836"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Post-and-lintel">Post-and-lintel</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31837"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Post-and-lintel#ref31837">Arch</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31838"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Vault">Vault</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31839"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Vault#ref31839">Dome</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31840"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Vault#ref31840">Truss</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31841"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Framed-structures">Framed structures</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref31842"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Framed-structures#ref31842">Expression</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31843"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Framed-structures#ref31843">Content</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31844"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Symbols-of-function">Symbols of function</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31845"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Expression-of-technique">Expression of technique</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31846"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Expression-of-technique#ref31846">Form</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31847"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Space-and-mass">Space and mass</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31848"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Space-and-mass#ref31848">Composition</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31849"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Scale">Scale</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31850"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Scale#ref31850">Light</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31851"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Texture">Texture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31852"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Texture#ref31852">Colour</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31853"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Texture#ref31853">Environment</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31854"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Texture#ref31854">Ornament</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31855"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Mimetic-ornament">Mimetic ornament</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31856"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Mimetic-ornament#ref31856">Applied ornament</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref31857"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Mimetic-ornament#ref31857">Organic ornament</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref31858"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theory-of-architecture">Theory of architecture</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31859"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theory-of-architecture#ref31859">Distinction between the history and theory of architecture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31860"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Theory-of-architecture#ref31860">Distinction between the theory of architecture and the theory of art</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31861"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Functionalism">Functionalism</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31862"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Functionalism#ref31862">The art of building</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref31863"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/architecture/Commodity-firmness-and-delight-the-ultimate-synthesis">“Commodity, firmness, and delight”: 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Author of <em>Changing Ideals in Modern Architecture; Concrete: The Vision of a New Architecture </em>and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Peter Collins</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/James-S-Ackerman/12" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">James S. Ackerman</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Arthur Kingsley Porter Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts, Harvard University. Author of <em>The Architecture of Michelangelo; Palladio.</em></div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> James S. 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-08T00:00:00CST" >Feb 8, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/architecture/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Shelley-McNamara" topicid="2165382">Shelley McNamara</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Florence-Knoll" topicid="2233427">Florence Knoll</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Walter-Netsch" topicid="1496286">Walter Netsch</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Yvonne-Farrell" topicid="2165381">Yvonne Farrell</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Alexander-Girard" topicid="2249362">Alexander Girard</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/art/Western-architecture" topicid="32952">Western architecture</a></dd> <dd><a href="/art/Latin-American-architecture" topicid="719165">Latin American architecture</a></dd> <dd><a href="/art/Japanese-architecture" topicid="719164">Japanese architecture</a></dd> <dd><a href="/art/Chinese-architecture" topicid="719162">Chinese architecture</a></dd> <dd><a href="/art/Egyptian-art" topicid="180644">Egyptian art and architecture</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/architecture"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref405490"></span>architecture</strong>, the art and technique of designing and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/building" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">building</a>, as distinguished from the skills associated with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/construction" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">construction</a>. The practice of architecture is employed to fulfill both practical and expressive requirements, and thus it serves both utilitarian and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="aesthetic" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetic" data-type="MW">aesthetic</a> ends. Although these two ends may be distinguished, they cannot be separated, and the relative weight given to each can vary widely. Because every society—settled or nomadic—has a spatial relationship to the natural world and to other societies, the structures they produce reveal much about their <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/environment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">environment</a> (including <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/climate-meteorology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">climate</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/weather" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">weather</a>), <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/history" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">history</a>, ceremonies, and artistic sensibility, as well as many aspects of daily life.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="292227" data-asm-type="video"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="video" video-id="249825"><a data-id="249825" class="gtm-assembly-link d-flex justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9" href="/video/Jeanne-Gang-architect-Studio-Gang/-292227"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/25/249825-138-1C8028AD/Jeanne-Gang-architect-Studio-Gang.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop" alt="Jeanne Gang on the future of architecture" loading="lazy"><script type="application/json"> { "sources": [ { "file" : "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/cYNA0EUP.m3u8" } ], "image": "https://cdn.britannica.com/25/249825-138-1C8028AD/Jeanne-Gang-architect-Studio-Gang.jpg" ,"tracks": [ { "file" : "//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/fVzQrFrr.vtt", "label": "English" } ] ,"adfile": "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/isPxB6iW.m3u8" } </script><div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em></div></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><span class="md-assembly-title font-weight-bold mr-5 d-inline font-sans-serif md-video-caption" video-control="249825">Jeanne Gang on the future of architecture</span><span>Designer of Aqua Tower, the St. Regis Chicago, and the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk, Jeanne Gang is one of the best-known contemporary architects in the world.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div><a class="font-14 mt-10 d-inline-block" href="/topic/architecture/images-videos">See all videos for this article</a></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="characteristics" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/characteristics" data-type="EB">characteristics</a> that distinguish a work of architecture from other built structures are (1) the suitability of the work to use by human beings in general and the adaptability of it to particular human activities, (2) the stability and permanence of the work’s construction, and (3) the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/communication" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">communication</a> of experience and ideas through its form. All these conditions must be met in architecture. The second is a constant, while the first and third vary in relative importance according to the social function of buildings. If the function is chiefly utilitarian, as in a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/factory" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">factory</a>, communication is of less importance. If the function is chiefly expressive, as in a monumental tomb, utility is a minor concern. In some buildings, such as churches and city halls, utility and communication may be of equal importance.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The present article treats primarily the forms, elements, methods, and theory of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="architecture" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/architecture" data-type="EB">architecture</a>. For the history of architecture in antiquity, <em>see</em> the sections on ancient <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Greece</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Rome" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rome</a> in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Western architecture</a>; as well as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Anatolian-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anatolian art and architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Arabian-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Arabian art and architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Egyptian-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Egyptian art and architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Iranian-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Iranian art and architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Mesopotamian-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mesopotamian art and architecture</a>; and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Syro-Palestinian-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Syro-Palestinian art and architecture</a>. For later historical and regional treatments of architecture, <em>see</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/African-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">African architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Chinese architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Japanese architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Korean-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Korean architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Oceanic-art" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Oceanic art and architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Western architecture</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Central-Asian-arts/Visual-arts#ref59430" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Central Asian arts</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-arts/Visual-arts#ref61827" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Islamic arts</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/South-Asian-arts/Visual-arts-of-India-and-Sri-Lanka-Ceylon#ref65277" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">South Asian arts</a>; and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Southeast-Asian-arts/The-Philippines#ref29552" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Southeast Asian arts</a>. For a discussion of the place of architecture and architectural theory in the realm of the arts, <em>see</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/aesthetics" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">aesthetics</a>. For related forms of artistic expression, <em>see</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/city" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">city</a>; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/interior-design" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">interior design</a>; and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/urban-planning" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">urban planning</a>.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref31795"><h2 class="h1">Use</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The types of architecture are established not by architects but by society, according to the needs of its different institutions. Society sets the goals and assigns to the architect the job of finding the means of achieving them. This section of the article is concerned with architectural <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="typology" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/typology" data-type="EB">typology</a>, with the role of society in determining the kinds of architecture, and with planning—the role of the architect in adapting designs to particular uses and to the general physical needs of human beings.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":23,"pageId":32876,"pageLength":480,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.9"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.9' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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