The United States of America and European countries share a commonality in having architecture that has significant cultural ties. However, there are distinct differences between how cities are designed in each region and country. It is important to note that these differences have built over time, and may have shared roots, as immigrants in the United States have contributed to the architecture and development of its cities.

Initial Arrival And Early Influence

The United States would not look the way it does have it not been from colonization of the Europeans in the Americas in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the regions were populated by native aboriginals and indigenous people. The Europeans brought with them concentrated settlements that utilized technologies of architecture from their original European countries that had already been established for hundreds of years prior to colonizing and settling in North America. As time progressed, the largest of cities that you know today in the USA began development from small settlements. 

Developing Buildings And Architecture 

From the earliest settlements, throughout the industrial age, European immigrants have influenced American architecture over a great many years. Housing initially replicated many designs from the most popular cities in London, with many commercial buildings like banks and train stations also showing design inspiration from the structures across the ocean. 

 

Americans would slowly adapt their own designs, as different periods brought changes to many cities, from significant fires to war times, and eventually through the evolution and development of different technologies. To this day, you will however still see remnants of many older buildings that have been inspired by other countries and the people that came from them, as they established tight-knit communities on American soil. 

 

New York is a perfect example of this melting pot of communities and cultures. From Italians that have established restaurants and neighborhoods, to the Irish-American community, which has similarly grown in size with over 30 million Irish living in the states. There are a wide variety of cultures living in the many boroughs of the city, illustrating the impact of immigration on the country in a multitude of ways.

 

European Designed Interiors

In addition to exterior architectural designs that were inspired and influenced by Europeans, many immigrants also brought their craftsmanship and ideas to interior designs concepts as well as furniture. Consider the structures that contained high ceilings and tall pillars within its walls, mirroring the designs of royal structures and chapels. Etchings and carvings provide aesthetics to be found on ceilings and walls. 

 

And of course, furniture and fixtures would be important in accompanying these themes to complete the design choices. Many design pieces were similar to architectural themes of royalty and extravagance, incorporating many similar aesthetics that you would find on palace exteriors, columns, and pillars. 

A Shift Towards Modernism And Skyscrapers

One aspect that many buildings and homes differ in the USA from in many European countries is the prevalence of skyscrapers and tall buildings. This is due to the initial establishment of cities. 

 

As tall buildings rose in popularity as a means to house people in high-demand areas in the United States, the city layout of many European cities had already been established with balanced planning. Thus, buildings became a way for many Americans to live in places that were deemed to be valuable, maximizing the limitations of the space provided. With America growing into its own country, it sought to differentiate itself from its connections with Europe. Many European countries also chose to retain their traditions, which you notice in their city designs and building architecture. This became almost a rivalry of nations to choose to progress differently. 

 

Consider as well, that as time progressed, skyscrapers have grown taller and taller, changing not just the physical appearance but the architectural design as well. This is to accommodate the height, utilizing technology to ensure the safety of these giant structures. The older, European-influenced designs soon changed as designers wanted to adapt to more modern minimalism.

 

Many buildings in the United States of America were heavily influenced by foreign ideas and design, with many of those inspirations coming from the minds of European immigrants. It is important to remember that many of these structures still exist in their entirety today, while many designs still give inspiration to houses and buildings, even with a new modern take on them. This translates to the importance of immigration and the coming together of cultures to help build a country and its cities.