To analyse architecture we must know some previous and basic concepts
Place
Place is definitely a huge influence when creating a space. This way, the relationship between the space and its surroundings can be of different types:
- Contrast: when a space is in contrast with its environment, it seems that it doesn’t seem right or it doesn’t fit in. Architecture either dominates the space or is alienated by it.
- Camouflage: perfect integration of the space with the environment.
- Organicism: there is a bond between tha space and the environment. It is adapted to it by the reinterpratation of elements. There is harmony.
- Contextualism: the relationship between the space and the surroundings is explained by its meaning.
Contrast architecture in San Francisco. Source: Tibco 
Camouflage architecture. Liquid glass pavilion in Portugal. Source:Domus 
Organicism. “La miniatura”, Frank Lloyd Wright. Source: Architectural Digest 
Contextual architecture. Olympic archery range, Barcelona. Source: Pinterest
Space
“Architecture is the studied construction of spaces. The continuous renovation of the architecture comes from the evolution of the concepts of space”
Louis Kahn, American architect (1901-1974)
Architecture is the creation of spaces, but also of their limits. Due to this, progress in architecture comes with a change of the concept of space. This way, throughout history, there have been different models of space:
Pantheon, Rome. Classical space. Source: History
- Classic space: a closed and compact space with usually massive walls. In the Renaissance period this space also becomes centralized and with one simmetry axis. In the Baroque period, they experiment with tension in the centralized space adding at least two axis of simmetry.
Villa Müller by Adolph Loos 
Plan of the Villa
- Uniform space: abstract, rational and without a centre. The modern Movement (20th century) first broke with the concept of classic space. Uniform movement breaks with “compactness” and allows horzontal and vertical connections. Besides, it is very much linked with functionality: a space only exists if used.
Contemporary space. Source: selfmade
- Contemporary space: the goal is uniqueness and confussion of public space and space of relation. Horizontal planes are twisted, deformed… creating the concept of free section.
Function
As the Utilitas of Vitruvius shows, the concept of functionality has always existed. Despite this, it has evolved throughout history of architecture:
- Mechanical functionalism: born in the Industrial Revolution and it is based in the conception of beauty as perfect mechanical efficiency.
- Organic functionalism: based in the adaptance of the form of the space to the activities developed in it. Functionalism determines the form. Also, since this functionalism is inspired by organicism, the space must be integrated in its surroundings.
- Moralistic functionalism: beauty is utility. In other words, a space will only be an expression of beauty when it is useful, when it serves a purpose or goal. This way, utility obtains a capital recognition and so it becomes a moral issue.
Mechanical functionalism 
Organic functionalism 
Moralistic functionalism
Form
To analyse the form of a space we must study all the elements that conform the whole composition. These elements are the following:
| Rhythm | Repetition of shapes |
| Axis | Linear elements that mark a direction and distribute the space or elements around it |
| Simmetry | Arrangement of elements around an axis, centre or plan |
| Hierarchy | Relationship of supremacy of an element among others or its environment. It can be of size, shape or orientation |
| Module | Unitary element that serves as a proportional element that is repeated on the same or different scales |
| Grid | Composition based in a grid of axes |
| Movement | Irregularity of forms and order to express movement |
| Unit | All elements of the composition seem a whole, nothing lacks or is excessive |
| Centrality | Organisation around a centre, not necessarily the geometric one |
| Balancing | Harmony, equilibrium. It can be static (if the elements are equal and symmetrical) or dynamic (if there is difference in colour, geometry…) |
| Limit | The edge of the elements of the composition, where there is a change |
| Light | “Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.”, Le Corbusier |
| Contrast | Opposition or difference of the elements of the composition |
| Colour | Chromatic of the representation |
| Texture | Surface of the building |
| Proportion | Harmonic relationship of dimensions according to mathematical rules |
| Scale | Relationship between the building size and the human’s |
Materiality and structure
Throughout history, there has been constant changes in materials and technology, resulting in progress and innovation. Although the materials are changing, they remain having the same concept as the first ones. In other words, new technological realities but reminiscent of the first ones.
Regarding to technology of construction, during the Roman period arches and vaults were the main covering elements and walls, the supporting ones. The main materials were lime concrete with formworks or as a filling between bricks, masonry or carved stones. This way the supports are solid enough for the vaults and other elements
Roman construction arches and vaults. Colloseum in Rome. Source: public domain pictures 
Types of vault. Source: Pinterest
During the Romanesque period barrel vaults reinforced by arches were used for the roof. Meanwhile, the walls had exterior buttresses to support them. Later, barrel vaults were substituted by groin vaults. Lastly, the final construction had clear loadbearing elements (arches, pillars and buttresses).
Romaneque church Saint Remi buttresses. Source: Dispatch from Metz 
Romanesque construction: Lessay abbey, France. Source: Wikipedia
In Gothic architecture, we had lighter and brighter spaces with more openings and less massive walls. This is thanks to some elements developed during the period: pointed arches, rib vaults, buttresses, flying buttresses and pinnacles. This way, they balanced forces instead of following the inert stability principle. They opposed compression forces to traction forces.
Pointed arches in Wells Cathedral 
Rib vaults in Raims cathedral 
Flying buttresses with pinnacles in Cologne Cathedral
Nowadays, CAD (Computer Aided Design) and BIM (Building Information Modeling) have revolutionated architecture. CAD allows new shapes and forms while BIM adds collaborative management to the project. Also, prefabriction has been a significant turning point in terms of construction. However, in my opinion it hasn’t allowed a revolution of architectural forms (yet, at least).
Scandinavian prefabricated house. Source: Pinterest
Bibliography and image sources
https://www.tibco.com/blog/2014/08/28/the-best-of-sf-architecture/
https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2018/01/09/portugal-a-camouflage-art-pavillion%20.html
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/wright-slideshow-102007
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/574349758731108713/
https://www.history.com/news/is-romes-pantheon-a-giant-sundial
https://gr.pinterest.com/pin/28077197655452320/
https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=258716&picture=inside-rome-coliseum
http://dispatchfrommetz.blogspot.com/2010/06/saint-remi-abbey-and-basilica.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lessay_Abbey