Measures of significant periods of time
Terms describing periods of time are often used in architectural history to describe certain timespans between significant cultural events and longer timespans between global events. There can be some confusion between terms for example era can be correctly used to describe a English architectural stylistic periods between two signifiant events, such as the Edwardian era, Victorian era and so on, the term is also used to refer to much longer periods in a geological scale.
Another term that might be be used in reference to the built environment, in particular in terms or ancient history might be Age, such as Iron age and Stone age dwellings. Finally in terms of sustainability or circular economic perspective is the term epoch might be used to describe the time frame which has been coined by the human age or the Anthropocene epoch or period. This is 'a proposed new geological epoch resulting from significant human-driven changes to the structure and functioning of the Earth System, including the climate system.’ Climate Change 2021, The Physical Science Basis, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2021.
Below is a list of the various categories of geological time frames.
- Eon: The largest unit of geologic time.
- Era: A subdivision of an eon, lasting hundreds of millions of years. (also used more generally)
- Period: A subdivision of an era, lasting millions of years to tens of millions of years. (also used more generally)
- Epoch: A subdivision of a period, hundreds of thousands of years to tens of millions of years.
- Sub-epoc: Thousands of years to millions of years
- Age: Thousands of years to millions of years.
[edit] Related articles on Designing buildings
- Anthropocene.
- Carboniferous.
- Cretaceous.
- Caledonian.
- Devonian.
- Eocene.
- Geological periods.
- Hercynian.
- Holocene.
- Ice age.
- Ordovician.
- Palaeozoic.
- Paleoclimate.
- Palaeolithic period.
- Permian.
- Pleistocene.
- Pliocene.
- Quaternary.
- Jurassic.
- Miocene.
- Mesozoic.
- Neogene.
- Silurian.
- Solastalgia.
- Symbiocene.
- Triassic.
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”