National identity: the sense of a nation as a cohesive whole, represented by distinctive traditions, culture and language120th century architecture was shaped by powerful social, economic and political forces. This resulted from the influence of war, different political regimes, national and international architectural movements, and technological development. Along with this architects and ideas have been able to travel around the world more than ever and from this emerged projects that sought to break with the past. Architecture that was once specific and local has now become global. It would seem that the national identity of the past has been sacrificed for the development of modernity. The beginning of modern globalization can be seen already in the First World War. It is from this point that we can begin for the range of narratives that would follow. Back then it was easy to distinguish between “British” architecture and “Saudi” architecture. However, through time, significant encounters between cultures and technological inventions, identity national that each country possessed seems to get lost in a universal architectural language. Gone are the days of originality in architecture and have instead been replaced by a uniformity of monumental structures and glass windows. The architecture has evolved into a unique modern aesthetic. It is sometimes difficult to see where the unique national characteristics and mentalities lie in these buildings, especially with the growing and ever-thriving international collaboration. The questions to ask are: what remains of national styles today and how did we get here? What is of particular interest is the way in which “British” architecture has abandoned...... middle of paper ......on in Architecture” Interpreted. Available at: http://rebarcollective.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/robert-venturi-complexity-and-contradiction-in-architecture-interpreted/ [Accessed 21 May 2014]Hugo,V,.1831. The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Wordsworth Editions Ltd.Jencks, C., 2014. La Strada Novissima: The 1980 Venice Biennale. Available at: http://www.domusweb.it/en/from-the-archive/2012/08/25/- em-la-strada-novissima-em--the-1980-venice-biennale.html [Accessed 22 May 2014]Thompson,M,. 2014. Architects Journal: London is poised for a skyscraper boom. Available at: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/london-set-for-skyscraper-boom/8660048.article [Accessed 22 May 2014]Venturi, R., 1984. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture . New York: Museum of Modern Art.Venturi,R.,1972. Learning from Las Vegas. Cambridge MA: MIT PressRobert Venturi- Learning from Las Vegas