Rococo architecture

The architecture of the Rococo period, roughly aligning with the reign of Louis XV in France from 1715 to 1774, was characterized by the use of rocaile motifs, including shells, curves, mascarons, arabesques, and other classical elements, as well as by the partial abandonment of symmetry of earlier Baroque styles in architectural design, including facades, cornices, and pediments, in favor of a more flexible and visually interesting design which still featured a degree of classical regularity. Light pastel colors, including blues, greens, and pinks replaced darker Baroque elements such as exposed limestone elevations and heavy use of gilding.

The iconography of Rococo architecture is most commonly associated with eighteenth century Europe, although the style influenced colonial designs and other styles across the other continents over the course of subsequent centuries, including Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Belle Epoque, Second Empire, Victorian, Art Deco and Art Nouveax architectural styles.