What you'll learn

This is a list of the things you will learn when enrolling for the History of Western Architecture course

  • Identify Architectural Characteristics: Recognize and distinguish the unique features of different historical architectural styles.

  • Understand Key Influences: Gain a deep understanding of how geography, technology, individuals, historical events, and philosophical ideas shape architecture.

  • Historical Context Insight: Discover the historical context behind architectural styles and how they evolved over time.

  • Comparative Analysis Skills: Develop skills to compare and contrast significant buildings, revealing how architecture progresses with societal changes.

Introduction to the History of Architecture

A general History of Western Architecture, 1CPD Sacap credit (Cat 1)


COURSE CONTENT

1. Understanding Architectural Influences: Key factors shaping architectural styles

2. The Pyramid at Giza vs. Tomb of Hatshepsut: Ancient Egyptian architectural comparison

3. The Parthenon vs. The Pantheon: Exploring Greek and Roman principles

4. The Theatre at Epidauros vs. The Colosseum: Ancient performance spaces

5. Hagia Sophia vs. Chartres Cathedral: Byzantine vs. Gothic architecture

6. Villa Rotonda vs. San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: Renaissance vs. Baroque styles

7. St. Peter’s Basilica – Then and Now: Evolution of an iconic structure

8. The Palace of Versailles vs. United States Capitol (1800): Royal vs. democratic architectural expressions

9. Palace of Westminster vs. Crystal Palace: Gothic revival vs. Victorian innovation

10. Barcelona Pavilion vs. Chrysler Building: Modernist vs. Art Deco styles

11. Fallingwater vs. Villa Savoye: Organic architecture vs. International Style

12. Unité d'Habitation vs. Pruitt-Igoe: Post-war housing projects and their impacts

13. Jewish Museum vs. Montecasino: Contemporary architecture reflecting history and resilience

This workshop is engaging and will involve a Q&A component. A CPD certificate of completion will be awarded to each attendee. 

COURSE INFO

CPD CREDITS AND CATEGORY

1 X Category 1 CPD Credit
DATE:
 24 June 2025
TIME AND VENUE:
 8AM-2PM (Full Day workshop) @ CPD Central online
PRICING:
 R1165 (Early Bird - ends 23 June at 12pm)
R1465 (Full Price)

IID member's discount
 10% email [email protected]
for your coupon


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Are you an architect or interior designer looking to refresh your knowledge of architectural history? This course is designed just for you! Many professionals find their understanding of architectural history limited to what they learned in university, which often feels outdated or irrelevant.

In this comprehensive course, you'll revisit the architectural principles of various historical eras and discover why buildings from different periods look the way they do. You'll explore how geographical, technological, individual, historical, and philosophical influences shape architectural styles.

By comparing pairs of significant buildings, you'll see how architecture evolves in response to societal changes. By the end of this course, you'll be able to identify architectural characteristics from different historical periods and understand the reasons behind their development, all while gaining insights into modern architectural trends.

Join us to deepen your understanding of architectural history and apply this knowledge to your current projects!

Reviews

See what others are saying about this course

5 star rating

What a Fantastic Course

Tanya Smythe

This course was extremely well presented. The lecturer is passionate about the topic and I felt like we were having a virtual tour around all the buildings t...

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This course was extremely well presented. The lecturer is passionate about the topic and I felt like we were having a virtual tour around all the buildings that were the topic of discussion. Thank you for a very uplifting presentation.

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5 star rating

Excellent and engaging

MARLETTE KRIGE

What a feat to cram in so much history is so little time. Nicole is a 5 star presenter. I would come back for more courses by her.

What a feat to cram in so much history is so little time. Nicole is a 5 star presenter. I would come back for more courses by her.

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5 star rating

Brilliant Workshop. Very interesting and enjoyable

Brigitte Lubbe - Carpenter-Kling

Presented very well and thorough.

Presented very well and thorough.

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Meet your instructor

Interior Designer/Lecturer Nicole Mason

Nicole Mason, with extensive experience in academia and industry, specializes in curriculum development for neurodivergent design students and managing creativity in business science. Since 2015, she has supervised Honours students in Brand Strategy, Communication, and Design Leadership, and lectured on Interior Design, Architectural Drafting, and Business Management. Her course development includes creating assignments and exams for various levels in design and architecture, ensuring rigorous academic standards. As a Module Discipline Leader, she has overseen lecturer performance and moderation. With 18 years in architectural practice, including director and associate roles in an international firm, Nicole has managed significant projects in South Africa and overseas. Her research includes developing a Quality Management System for architectural practice to achieve ISO accreditation. Currently, Nicole is an Honours Research Supervisor, Academic Navigator, and Curriculum Developer at Vega School Bordeaux. She has also lectured at Inscape Education Group and held directorial positions at DSA Architects, contributing to major hospitality and leisure projects. Nicole has a special interest in Western architectural history.

Ready to widen your understanding of the Western Architectural movements?

Enroll today and start building age old principals into your designs and planning!

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Africote

Workshop Sponsor

Africote originated in 1990 as Plastertech (PTY) LTD and was then responsible for the supply of 340 000m2 of internal and external cementitious colourful wall coatings used on the African Games Village, near Alexander Township in Johannesburg. It has also supplied cementitious coatings for various RDP housing projects throughout South Africa and also supplied finishing plaster to Monte Casino and the Liberty Life Building in Eastgate Office park, amongst many other prestigious projects.
https://africote.co.za/about/