If I could time travel to another period in history I would probably pick ancient Greece because of my interest in philosophy and appreciation for classical art. I’ve always been fascinated with Greek architecture and the way it relates to architecture today.
Many elements of design can be reflected in Greek architecture.
One of the key features of Greek architecture is its famous columns. The function of these columns is to “support a section of an entablature, which constitutes the upper horizontal part of a classical building” (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Each column consists of a base, shaft and capital, and can be characterized by three different types: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.
The Doric is the plainest of the three while the Ionic and Corinthian are more complex. The Ionic is notable for its scrolls while the Corinthian consists of both scrolls and elaborate shapes and patterns.
The Romans adopted a combination of these styles in the 1st century BC and such columns have been used ever since in Western architecture.
Today, we can still see examples of order of architecture and find these columns in modern day buildings, most commonly found in office buildings and supreme courts. Greek architecture has impacted and inspired works in the future and its legacy can still be seen today.
References:
column. (2018). In P. Lagasse, & Columbia University, The Columbia encyclopedia (8th ed.). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.capilanou.ca/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/column/0?institutionId=6884
“Five Beautiful American Buildings Based on Classical Greek Architecture.” USA.GreekReporter.com, 4 July 2018, https://usa.greekreporter.com/2018/07/04/five-beautiful-american-buildings-based-on-classical-greek-architecture/.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Order.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/technology/order-architecture.
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