List of architectural styles

**Historical Architectural Styles**:
– Ancient Greek 776–265 BC
– Roman 753 BC–663 AD
– Etruscan 700–200 BC
– Classical 600 BC–323 AD
– Byzantine 527–1520

**Medieval Architectural Styles**:
– Latin Armenian 4th–16th centuries
– Anglo-Saxon 450s–1066 (England)
– Pre-Romanesque c. 700–1000
– Visigothic 5th–8th centuries (Spain)
– Carolingian 780s–9th century

**Architectural Styles of the Early Modern Period and European Colonialism**:
– Renaissance began in Italy
– Baroque style by the Catholic Church
– Neoclassical forms developed post-Renaissance
– Victorian Era saw technological advancements
– Industrial Revolution led to new structural frames

**Regional and Vernacular Architectural Styles**:
– Dragestil 1880s–1910s, Norway
– Dutch Colonial 1615–1674 (New England)
– Dzong Architecture in Tibet and Bhutan
– Egyptian Revival architecture 1809–1820s
– Soft Portuguese style 1940–19

**Colonial and Revival Architectural Styles**:
– Portuguese Colonial Architecture
– Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture
– Spanish Colonial Architecture
– Mudéjar Architecture
– Romanesque Architecture

An architectural style is characterized by the features that make a building or other structure notable and historically identifiable. A style may include such elements as form, method of construction, building materials, and regional character. Most architecture can be classified as a chronology of styles which change over time reflecting changing fashions, beliefs and religions, or the emergence of new ideas, technology, or materials which make new styles possible.

Frederick C. Robie House, an example of Prairie School architecture

Styles therefore emerge from the history of a society and are documented in the subject of architectural history. At any time several styles may be fashionable, and when a style changes it usually does so gradually, as architects learn and adapt to new ideas. Styles often spread to other places, so that the style at its source continues to develop in new ways while other countries follow with their own twist. A style may also spread through colonialism, either by foreign colonies learning from their home country, or by settlers moving to a new land. After a style has gone out of fashion, there are often revivals and re-interpretations. For instance, classicism has been revived many times and found new life as neoclassicism. Each time it is revived, it is different.

Vernacular architecture works slightly differently and is listed separately. It is the native method of construction used by local people, usually using labour-intensive methods and local materials, and usually for small structures such as rural cottages. It varies from region to region even within a country, and takes little account of national styles or technology. As western society has developed, vernacular styles have mostly become outmoded by new technology and national building standards.