Note i am in no way an architecture master of knowledge. I only talk of what I remember when I did some research projects into the 12th - 14th century eras.

What I know is that half the reason we had the "gothic" style was due to the understanding of how powerful arches were in construction. The art style was, to my knowledge, due to the fact you could now make insides of buildings more "open" or "airy" due to the use of an arch for structure support. The more open the area the more you can "fill it" with better looking stuff.

While I agree the architecture in CoE is non-gothic that doesn't mean the community of builders in the game couldn't just...do such a thing ya know?

My guess for the other half:

Probably something about cost being more effective? Arches being more resistant to siege damage? Better stone molding/plastering? The protruding circles were probably because arches made it easier to structurally build so why not make the circles so you can fire in all directions (just about) when defending.

While I agree the architecture in CoE is non-gothic that doesn't mean the community of builders in the game couldn't just...do such a thing ya know?

100% true ... I am anticipating that the tech and skill in architecture would have to evolve progressively though. We are yet to see how these things will play out but I am hoping that we will start with the pre-gothic blueprints and have to advance our skill to "unlock" the advanced blueprints that would allow for the gothic period architecture to be constructed.

To be honest all it takes is someone "figuring out" that arches are stronger supports. To be more specific they hold the "weight" of the ceiling better than straight walls. It sorta counteracts the outward thrust of the walls due to the ceilings weight.

Well we have already "figured it out" because now we know. I think it is fair and reasonable to anticipate that there will be an evolution though. Like I said, a journeyman architect may only have access to pre-gothic blueprints whilst a master architect may have unlocked said vaulting structures. Purely speculation of course.

I think it will be realistic and in rare cases fantasy like.

Delete pls.

Building one of the larger castles will probably be horrifically expensive, but probably possible once an architect gets skilled enough to make it. As for the style, maybe different kingdoms or continents will have different styles, I guess we have to wait and see what they have planned.

I can't work out if I'm really impressed or horrified that you would even attempt it... I think I'll go with impressed... I was wondering if I could stretch my funds enough for a nice little villa...

I feel like the schematics should require a certain rank to discover and create, but can be shared and used by architects (or whatever other discipline, for their specific schematics) of a lesser skill threshold. For example: Assume a certain carpenter discovers the wheel at, say, master-level carpentry. He can then create schematics that a journeyman/adept carpenter can use to create the item. Those lower-rank carpenters can replicate the schematic by copying from it, but can't actually make the schema from scratch until they reach master level carpentry.

This would give value to high-level trade/profession knowledge and a reason to keep skilling up past the basics.

Slightly off topic, but I also like the idea of encrypting schematics, so that a master can pass down his techniques/schematics to his students without risking that others might steal his technology.

...Hrm, encrypted schematics..

I like encryption, like En's Mage's Cipher!

I vaguely recall some talk about patents in Q&A—so I think there are already methods in the works of controlling ownership of your creations (if someone could link that, that'd be great).

• What I really, really want in CoE architecture is to see the creation of unique monuments. I'd love, for instance, the novelty of a Colossus of Rhodes type structure—maybe even unique statue poses and props that architects can play around with?

I can imagine the interface now, just toying with positions, throwing in a shield, then placing these on rooftops like grotesques or gargoyles... maybe even having to read/see a creature to be able to recreate its likeness in architecture (involving some activity/role interplay)! Then playing around with the scale of the structure to be a tiny feature on the edifice, to something that sits in a garden, to something that towers over a cityscape (w/ scaling resource costs)!

Even w/ the current promises, this all seems fun, but I sure would love to see even greater breadth like the details above.

Hmmm ... imagine if there could be a cultural bonus for a architectual wonder (??)

Now THAT would be an ineresting mechanic. Just like the wonders in Civ V give bonuses.

Hmmm ... I like that idea alot.