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When used as ornament in western architecture plants have generally been rendered naturalistically as if they grew on the buildings they adorned.
More... Architectural Ornament in Plant Forms
When we look at architectural ornament of heraldry and emblems, we see things associated with the aristocracy. Over time the aristocracy of business and commerce subsumed that of humans. Companies and corporations commissioned heraldic crests emblazoned on shields, which were displayed on the buildings they owned and occupied.
More... Architectural Ornament in Heraldry and Emblems
Modernism replaced ornament with a different vocabulary of details involving straight lines, right angles, and clean edges. Still, since we admire buildings from the time when ornament was popular, revealing the meaning of decorative motifs would broaden our understanding and increase out pleasure in passing by them. They contribute to the urban texture of our cities.
More... Architectural Ornament in Human Forms