THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ARCHITECTURE

History of Architecture
- is a record of man’s effort to build beautifully. It traces the origin, growth and decline of
architectural styles which have prevailed lands and ages.

Historic Styles of Architecture

- the particular method, the characteristics, manner of design which prevails at a certain place
and time.

The book “Architecture for Beginners,” written by Louis Hellman enumerates at least Five (5)
Factors: Needs, society, technology and climate.

Influencing Factors
- the particular design of a building, from planning to walling, columns, openings as in doors and
windows, roofings, mouldings and ornaments, all of these designs are influenced by the
following factors:

A. STRUCTURAL FORCES

1. Geographical Pinpoints the Location of a particular country.

It describes whether it is near the sea, an
island, on the mountains, deserts and others.

2. Geological Describes the Materials found in the locality;

The character, the composition of earth and the
contour of the ground. Materials like stones,
trees, reeds, bamboos, clay for bricks, marble,
metals, all influence the character of the
 building.
3. Climatic The prevailing Weather in the country, if there
is much sunshine or little rain, if there are
winters with much snow, these affect the
character like example the roofing of a country
with snow should be steep to ward off the snow,
while the windows in cold climates should be
wide to permit light to enter and warm the
rooms.

B. CIVILIZING FORCES

4. Social & Political Governed. Whether they are hostile, friendly, ruled
How the people Lived and by a king, or under democratic rule.

5. Religious The Emotional temperament and Spiritual

tendencies of the people in a particular country.
If they are pagans, they build temples for
numerous gods; if they are Christians they build
churches with altars; Muslims build mosques.

C. AFFECTED BY HISTORICAL EVENTS WHICH MAY ALTER OR VARY THE

FOREGOING

6. Historical The background of the people as a whole. Where

there wars from the past? If so, buildings would
have been ruined and new structures built.

7. Cultural The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a

particular nation, people, or
other social group.
 *8. Technological Building Technology, The application of technology
to the design of buildings.

*9. Sustainability The ability of the society, ecosystem, or any such

ongoing system to continue functioning into the
future

*10. Imagination & Style

The visualization techniques of the architects. *Updates on the Influencing Factors of

Architecture