
HISTORY OF COLUMNS
The earliest columns of record were
crafted in Egypt. Many Egyptian columns crafted in 2600 BC were
very large in size, narrowly spaced, and carved to resemble bundled
reeds. Architectural columns became more than a simple structural
element, gaining aesthetic and artistic value. Later columns located
in Persia possessed elaborately carved capitals, decorated with
bulls and animal figures. The Roman style column is among the most
popular. The Roman columns were derived from classic Greek designs.
Read
More
Columns were often combined with
arches and beams, creating a fluid sense of harmony. During Medieval
times, the flowing vines, leaves and foliate mask of the "green man " face design attached to the capital of a column became popular in churches.
The classic architectural columns of Europe are referred to as orders:
the Doric order, also known as the Tuscan order, is composed of one part,
the cylinder, and tapers toward its top. The Ionic order has a grooved
fluted design, with a scrolled capital. The Corinthian order is similar
to the Ionic order, but the capitol includes rows of acanthus leaves.
When designing a public building or a custom house, an architect is often
looking for opportunities to include unique design touches. While most
architects have to keep an eye on the budget like the rest of us, sometimes
they will turn to the use of architectural columns to provide some of those
unique qualities.
Architectural columns can be either decorative or load bearing, depending
on their designed purpose. What sets architectural columns apart is the
fact that, as a design component, often they are designed with style components
that can't be found in traditional column styles.
Architectural columns can be square
or hexagonal, may feature unusual bases and capitals (or tops) that
are a product of the architect's imagination. The many variations
of the traditional Tuscan, Ionic, Doric or Corinthian columns may
be set aside for something entirely unique in an architectural column.
What makes this possible is the wide range of raw materials that
are used for the manufacture of columns today. |
|
| |
 |
| |
Fluted
Columns |
The shaft is mainly cylindrical in shape and both long and narrow... |
|
|