Around the 14th century in Europe, the mind set of people started to change from a very barbaric middle age. This was the rise of the Renaissance movement. The meaning of Renaissance is rebirth and this is true because it sort of was a rebirth of classical art and intellectual pursuits.

People of the Renaissance were very particular with beauty. This is evident if you look at the numerous artworks done during this period. If you would travel to Europe, you’d be able to see remnants of captivating Renaissance architecture in all its glory.

Characteristics of Renaissance architecture

The difference of Renaissance and Roman architecture can be difficult to distinguish to the untrained eye. This is because Renaissance structures were revivals of Roman and Greek architecture. Elements of geometry, symmetry, proportion, and regularity was deeply stressed and was rooted in the school of ancient Roman architectural thought. You will notice the constant use of semi-circle arches, aedicule, and domes.

The Pioneer

The birth of Renaissance architecture can be attributed to the Italian architect and engineer Filippo Brunelleschi. You would see some of his first creations in Florence Italy. He is responsible for works of beauty such as the Dome of the Cathedral of Florence (where he is currently buried), Palazzo di Parte Guelfa, Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze, and the Pazzi Chapel (one of his last works).

We are at a point in time when we have to be more conscious about our environment. A lot of great civilizations have crumbled because of environmental problems (either directly or indirectly) and we should be able to learn from history. Mother Earth is now more in danger than it ever was. This is evident through odd climate changes, rapid melting of ice in the Polar Regions, and smog that covers cities. Soon enough, there won’t be enough for our grandchildren to live on if we don’t act now.

A recent change in attitude towards the environment has been exhibited by individuals and large corporations all around the globe. A lot of companies have been trying to develop eco solutions that would alleviate the problem of pollution and energy crisis. Alternative sources of fuel are being researched such as solar energy, wind energy, and electric energy. It is great that there even are buildings put up that are energy efficient. Green architecture really is the way to go.

Characteristics of Green Architecture

The main idea of this is to create buildings or structures that use energy efficiently. These structures save up on water and energy at a very high rate through different ways. What they also try to do is to reduce waste and pollution. There already are a lot of public bathrooms that make use of water-free urinals that save thousands of liters of water every year. Other buildings would have a lot of windows so that a natural source of light would be used during the day instead of eating up electricity during the day.

Advantages of Green Architecture

Although the cost of construction may be higher, the benefits of greening up a building would be bigger in the long run. Energy efficient buildings save up a lot on electricity and water, thus lowering their bills. Green architecture is also very conscious about the health of the occupants so it is less likely that lawsuits are going to be filed. Investing in this eco friendly technology is also advantageous because it seems to be the road to the future. If you notice, it is becoming a trend amongst a lot of businesses and you wouldn’t want to be left behind.