Currently, one of the main factors influencing the formation of architecture is the functional purpose of the building, since it determines the essence of the architectural object. The purpose of the scientific work is to study the influence of building functions on the historical architecture of Europe and their impact on the development of modern architecture. This article sets the objectives of studying the classification of functional purposes of buildings, conducting a retrospective analysis of the development and formation of architectural styles in Europe, based on world design experience and the conducted research to identify the influence of the building function on its planning and volumetric-spatial solutions in the process of architecture development. The research method is the analysis of the historical architecture of Europe from the time of the inception of architecture to the present day, carried out on the basis of world design experience in different eras. In the course of the study, four main trends in the development of the functions of modern architecture were identified: integration with nature, creation of adaptive spaces, multifunctionality and development of new functions. It is concluded that the building function played the most important role throughout the entire period of architecture formation, which led to the emergence of a huge variety of building types today and made a significant contribution to the development of architecture of the XXI century.

Keywords: architecture, historical architecture, architectural style, functional purpose, European architecture, building type, retrospective analysis, function, influence, development