You can read buildings like stories. That is the most important lesson I learned during my studies of architectural history. The language of the stories is comprised of symbols, structures, and layouts. The stories refer to the past but serve the present.
Renaissance architects played with history. For example they could use different columns styles on different floors. Ancient Doric columns were suitable for the ground level, Ionic for the middle story, and Corinthian at the top. This practice, however, was rediscovered from ancient Romans. The Romans in turn had played with historic Greek architecture.
A more recent example is from the 19th century neoclassical Helsinki. The two buildings on opposite sides of the Senate Square seem to be quite like each other. However, the University building has Ionic columns and the Senate building has Corinthian ones. Why? Ionic columns symbolize civilization, arts, and Apollo. The Corinthian order symbolized the power of the state.
Fortunately we got rid of the compulsive use of ancient architectural motifs. But have modern architects abandoned playing with history? Certainly not! Instead of using column orders they make references to 20th century functionalist architecture. If you know your Corbusier, Bauhaus, and Aalto, you will certainly spot quotations from the past masters. Compare the facade of the Bauhaus building from 1926 by Gropius with some more recent projects. It is not hard to see the similarities.
Photo: iStockphoto
