Morphology (Architecture and Engineering)

Morphology in architecture is the study of the evolution of form within the built environment. This broad concept references linguistics, history, sociology, physics, and biology to describe changes in the formal syntax of buildings and cities. Often morphology describes discursive processes, such as in the evolution of a design concept from first conception to production, but can also be understood as the categorical study in the change of buildings and their use through a historical perspective. Similar to genres of music, morphology arrives at definitions of architectural 'styles' or typologies. Architectural typologies are often described by the movements that gave rise to a certain aesthetic, the influences of which are usually cultural or philosophical in origin. Some examples are, indigenous architecture, classical architecture, baroque architecture, modernism, postmodernism, deconstructivism, and futurism. Recent advances in fluid and cross platform tools such as 3d printing, virtual reality, and building information modeling make the current contemporary typology formally difficult to pinpoint.