Historical Dictionary of Architecture (2nd edition)

摘要

Architecture is an interesting subject to classify and is often included as a subject of study within the arts, particularly history. Yet, at the same time, it is a subject that relies heavily on technology to be practiced. It is a subject that needs to collaborate, it is affected by trends in society and politics, determining what will be built, how, its style, format and more besides. Architecture is therefore a complex subject which requires a multi-faceted approach and needs to be approached with a wide viewpoint across the ages, periods of history and societies. As a result, this dictionary takes a historical approach to its subject. Beginning in Ancient Egypt moving through the Near East, Greek and Roman histories, it then addresses periods in history which are striking and well known for their architecture: the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. To bring it right up to the present, the dictionary also gives consideration to post-modern and high-tech architecture, although these may not yet be historical practices, it will not be long before they are superseded by new innovation, and are thus considered to be historical.