Øystein Holdø Nilssen

In this captivating presentation from the Norwegian Symposium on Beauty in Architecture 2025, PhD candidate Øystein Nilsen Holdø offers a deep dive into classical composition from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. He explores how concepts of beauty and architectural theory have shaped design practices across these periods. Holdø distinguishes between architectural morphology (single elements like column capitals) and syntax (the combination of elements in composition). He discusses the Renaissance's focus on restoring Roman architectural principles and the emphasis on proportions, contrasting it with the Baroque's shift towards visuality and immediate sensory pleasure. The talk also touches on the rise of Neoclassicism and its return to an "essentialist" theory of architectural aesthetics, exemplified by the idea of the "primitive hut". This presentation is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intellectual journey of architectural design and the timeless debate on beauty in built forms.

Recorded at third annual Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture conference in Oslo, May 2nd – 4th 2025.