A Comparative Study of Architectural Typology Concepts: Case Studies of Antoine-Chrysostome Quatremère de Quincy, Jacques Nicolas Louis Durand, and Gottfried Semper During the Age of Enlightenment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/bei.2025.14Keywords:
Architecture, classification, Type, TypologyAbstract
In the study of Western architecture, typological classification in architecture serves as an essential technical framework for understanding the categorization of architectural forms. It establishes a general conceptual structure that contributes to the explanation and critique of architecture while enhancing the architectural design process to effectively respond to contextual transformations. The concept of typology has undergone changes and evolution over time, with continuous refinements in principles and classification criteria to keep pace with shifts in architectural design processes at different periods. These developments reflect transformations in design philosophy aimed at addressing the changing demands of social contexts.
This article aims to explore the components underlying the emergence of typological classification in architecture by examining its development, which originated from other disciplines and was later integrated into architectural studies during the Age of Enlightenment. The study focuses on the theoretical contributions of three key thinkers and architects: Antoine-Chrysostome Quatremère de Quincy, Jacques Nicolas Louis Durand, and Gottfried Semper. The findings indicate that typological classification consists of two fundamental components: the abstract and the physical. These elements provide an academic basis for studying architecture within complex contextual conditions, such as postmodern and contemporary architecture, and serve as a foundation for value-based analysis in architectural conservation.
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