.Ancient civilizations are the root of everything we do today. From language to architecture, we can look back through history to see our influences and inspirations. Our ancestors did things for two very important reasons: Form and function. This is especially true in multifamily architecture where we can see the perfect meeting place of artwork and centuries of practical design reflected in the way we build today.
While modern architecture may feel very different from the huts, halls, and temples of the ancients, it is inspiring to see the lessons from ancient architecture that are still a profound part of how we build today. Ancient architecture has left an indelible mark on modern design, with principles that continue to shape contemporary buildings. From sustainability to aesthetics, here are some lessons we still use to this day.
Roman Concrete
There is no question that concrete is at the heart of modern construction, and we have understood it’s value since ancient Rome. The Romans perfected pozzolanic concrete, a unique formula which has kept their ancient structures standing for more than 2000 years. The pantheon and the remnants of the great Arena are both excellent examples, allowing Romans to build outside the limitations of carved stone.
Today’s architects have discovered an amazing variety of concrete formulas and are now exploring self-healing concrete and sustainable cement alternatives that are still inspired by ancient Roman techniques.
Hypocaust Heating
Another popular lesson from the ancient world of Rome and Greece is hypocaust heating. In the classical era, low fires would be maintained below the floor level of a home or bathhouse. The heat would rise to warm the tiles above, creating heated floors and a gentle smoke-free source of heating for our ancient ancestors.
This inspired the now much more efficient methods of creating heated floors like hydronic, air, and electric radiant floor heating where heating tubes are installed just below the flooring to create affordably luxurious spaces.
Columns, Vaults, and Arches
One of the signatures of ancient architecture from around the world is the enthusiastic use of columns and arches to create vaulted ceilings and airy spaces. It’s what makes visiting old architecture so inspiring. Today, we use the same mathematical principles as the original arches and support columns to create vaulted high-ceilinged spaces that feel uplifting. From grand plazas to high-ceilinged apartments to airy outdoor walkways, these architectural techniques are applied with every possible combination of material and design.
The fact of the matter is that humans love arches, vaulted spaces, and high ceilings. The math devised by our ancestors has allowed us to build sturdy structures with grand, open spaces for thousands of years.
Rooftop Eaves
Eaves are one of the first architectural inventions of mankind. From the earliest mud and straw huts of mankind, we have been building sloped roofs where the roof extends beyond the outer wall. This simple yet essential invention is necessary to keep the rain from washing down the side of the building. By projecting the roof beyond the ground-level footprint, it is possible to direct rain away from the structure of the building so it can flow to the ground and away.
We still rely on eaves for all slope-roofed structures and humans have a strong connection to them, having watched rain pouring from these specially designed roof ledges for as long as we have been building homes.
Pier and Beam Foundations
Pier and beam foundations remain a common choice in regions with seasonal flooding. They are the evolution of stilt houses, which have existed for many thousands of years. Archaeologists discovered the oldest known stilt village in Albania, dating back to around 5800 BC. It’s incredible to see the evolution of architecture, which has grown from the simple necessity of building above the level of seasonal floods.
Humans inhabit diverse climates, including areas with heavy rain, ocean activity, flooding, and severe storms. Across the world, stilt houses have evolved into pier and beam foundations which combine modern materials like treated steel and concrete to keep homes high and dry.
Terrace Gardens
Looking into ancient South America, we will find the inspiration for many of the most beautiful gardens in the world: terrace gardens. This unique style also qualifies as architecture because the garden beds are built to prevent erosion and cultivate temperature-sensitive plants. Built into the sides of mountains, often, the ancient Mayans used the vertical temperature difference of a massive terraced farm like a natural greenhouse, which varied in temperature based on your vertical level.
We still use these methods today to create urban gardens, rooftop gardens, and incredible hardscaped green spaces.
Innovative Bricks
Lastly, let’s talk about bricks. Builders have used bricks in construction since 7,000 BC. Sunbaked mud clay bricks mimicked squared stone, requiring far less labor than chiseling regular shapes. Ancient civilizations worldwide crafted bricks using locally available materials, adapting to their unique environments. Some packed straw into their bricks for structure, some used ash in the mix.
Today, we are still innovating sustainable and sturdy bricks. We make bricks from recycled and reclaimed material, including recycled stone, glass, and plastic. Bricks are an excellent way to turn still-valuable materials into new constructions, honoring one of the oldest traditions of mankind.
Timeless Multifamily Architecture
The apartment building is also an ancient tradition dating back to the Roman insulae. At this time, fresh water would flow from the aqueducts above. Modern multifamily architecture honors ancient traditions while embracing innovation through new technology, materials, and architectural trends.
Embrace the past while creating the future of multifamily architecture with the help of Ted Trout Architects.
