A comparison among English Spanish and Italian Architecture

English Architecture in a nutshell

Prehistoric architecture

The earliest known examples of architecture in England are the megalithic tombs of the Neolithic. The Neolithic henges of Avebury and Stonehenge are two of the largest and most famous megalithic monuments in the world. Although their purpose is unknown with any certainty, suggestions include ceremonial use and interpreting the cosmos.

Roman architectureThe Roman period brought the construction of the first large-scale buildings in Britain, but very little survives above ground besides fortifications. These include sections of Hadrian's Wall. In most cases, only foundations, floors and the bases of walls attest to the structure of former buildings. The more substantial buildings of the Roman period adhered closely to the style of Roman structures elsewhere, although traditional Iron Age building methods remained in general use for humbler dwellings, especially in rural areas

Norman architectureAfter 1066, The Normans destroyed a large proportion of England's churches and built Romanesque replacements, a process which encompassed all of England's cathedrals. Most of the latter were later partially or wholly rebuilt in Gothic style, and although many still preserve substantial Romanesque portions, only Durham Cathedral remains a predominantly Romanesque structure (along with St Alban's and Southwell, abbey churches in the medieval period)

Gothic architectureThe Gothic architectural tradition originated in France in the mid-12th century and spread rapidly to England, where it remained the prevailing style for well over 300 years. Certain features were distinctive to English Gothic churches, particularly cathedrals or abbeys such as Bath Abbey, throughout their development. They tended to be longer than continental equivalents but also lower and narrower, a fact which facilitated the construction of grand, structurally ambitious towers over the crossing, an almost ubiquitous feature of English cathedrals but virtually unknown elsewhere

Italian Architecture in a nutshell

Ancient Greece and the EtruscansEtruscan buildings were made from brick and wood. The Etruscans strongly influenced Roman architecture, as they too used to build temples, fora, public streets and acqueducts. The heavy pillars and porches created by the Etruscans, and their city gates were also a significant influence on Roman architecture. A relevant example is the remains of Agrigento, Sicily, which are currently UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tempio di Giunone

Ancient RomeThe Romans were inspired by Etruscans who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics and in the construction of arches. The use of vaults and arches together with a sound knowledge of building materials, for example, enabled them to achieve unprecedented successes in the construction of imposing structures for public use

Gothic ArchitectureThe Gothic architecture appeared in Italy in the 12th century. Italian Gothic always maintained peculiar characteristic which differentiated its evolution from that in France where it had originated and in other European countries. In particular, the architectural innovative solutions and technical innovations of the French Gothic cathedrals never appeared: Italian architects preferred to keep the construction tradition established in the previous countries. Aesthetically, in Italy the vertical development was rarely important. The most famous example is the Milan Cathedral dating back to the late Gothic period

English Housing

The main types of houses in England are:

•Detached •Semi-detached (two houses joined together) •Terrace (several houses joined together) •Flats (apartments) •A bungalow is a house which is only on one floor, no stairs. It may be joined to another bungalow or might stand alone. The bungalow pictured below is made from white wooden planks. It is called a weatherboarded bungalow•Oast house: Oast Houses were not originally a building where people lived. They were part of farm buildings and were where hops (a plant from which beer is made) were layed out and dried

Detached House

This is a house not joined to another house

Semi-detached House

In this case two houses are joined together

Terrace House

Several houses are joined together

Flats

Block of apartments

Bungalow

It is only on one floor, no stairs. It may be joined to another bungalow or might stand alone. The bungalow pictured above is made from white wooden planks

Oast House

They were not originally a building where people lived. They were part of farm buildings and were where hops (a plant from which beer is made) were layed out and dried

Survey• Almost half of London's households are flats, maisonettes or

apartments.• The report undertaken by the Centre for Economics &

Business Research for Bradford & Bingley compares the UK property market to Germany, France, Italy and Spain. It reveals British living space per home is 12 percent smaller than the average Spanish home, 14 percent smaller than in Germany and 16 percent smaller than in France.

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/interactive/2011/sep/10/inside-home-architecture

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiCtbuVYon0 (NZ)

Italian Housing

VillasThe villa is a home made for country life or for a retreat from life in the city. These houses were traditionally built for the wealthy and members of the upper class. Contemporary villas, however, no longer adhere to this rule. Villas were first influenced by traditional Spanish architecture: the roofs are usually flat or gabled, there are hood ornaments and the windows are tall and arched. The property surrounding the villa usually has a garden and grass.

Chalet

Chalet style is a popular type of house in Italy's mountainous regions. These houses are made of wood with exposed beams on the outside and the houses are surrounded by artistically designed rails. In the interior, you can expect to find a high ceiling and a spacious open floor. A chalet is built to weather the cold and trap heat. While typically used for winter snow vacations, chalets are also used for urban getaways and residential homes

Mediterranean StyleMediterranean style housing has transcended its Italian roots to become popular worldwide. Stucco walls, arches and enclosed patios are the most common characteristics. The roofs are typically made of red tile and clay and are most known for absorbing heat, reducing the temperature inside. Mediterranean style housing is popular in warmer environments because it naturally cuts electricity costs