Classic Design: The Language Allergic
From high-end luxury houses to the most basic spec-built residence, it appears that a traditionally designed home must have at least one column based on designs from antiquity.
Around 2,500 years ago, the Greeks invented what have become known as the classical orders. These orders (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) were adopted by the ancient Romans, who simplified the Doric to create their own order, the Tuscan. The Romans also united the Ionic and Corinthian to form the Composite, or fifth classical purchase. Each order had a different meaning. A building designed using the Doric order would have been rather different in tone than a building designed in the chronological arrangement.
Each sequence had a different meaning. A building designed using the Doric order would have been rather different in tone than a building designed in the chronological arrangement. The same holds true now. Even though a grand palace might warrant the Corinthian order, Tuscan might be more suitable for a small home.
What is a homeowner to make of this? Where would you use, say, a Doric in lieu of a Corinthian column? And are there principles for scale, proportion and detail? Below are some suggestions to help you sort it out.
Christopher A Rose AIA, ASID
1. Tuscan-style columns. America’s most popular classical order because the Colonial era has been the Tuscan. Developed by the ancient Romans as a simple, tidy and “virtuous” order, it’s no surprise that the colonials would use the Tuscan to add style and tradition for their buildings while maintaining those puritanical sensibilities.
Eric Stengel Architecture, llc
If you’re looking for some gravitas, pair the columns at mid-span and make a more three-column corner. This will work especially well when with larger houses where the columns need to compete with all the other structures.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
Tuscan columns often come factory-produced for lower cost and easy site meeting. Normally produced from a composite substance, the columns will be low-maintenance and continue a long time.
LDa Architecture & Interiors
Whether used on the exterior or the interior, the Tuscan order adds a little classical formality and conventional ” always been there” sense — minus the general stiffness of the Doric or the exuberance of the Corinthian.
Placing the columns in an opening between rooms makes the transition from one to the other all the more special.
1800Lighting
The Tuscan can be livened a bit with the inclusion of fluting and pedestals. Paired up, these columns act as points defining functional regions in what appears to be one big room.
Eric Stengel Architecture, llc
2. Doric: Distinctly Classical. The Doric was the easiest as well as the most masculine of the first Greek orders. There are minimal cosmetic elements and, in its initial form, no base.
Here, the Doric order is used to lend a distinctly classical, classic and proper quality to the project.
Eric Stengel Architecture, llc
Certainly the Doric order was not devoid of decorative embellishment. Fluting of the column shaft as well as some decorative elements in the capital can soften what can be a plain and virtually severe design.
Helios Design Group
3. Ionic: Large scale, higher style. Moving to the next sequence, the Ionic is a bit more lavish than the spartan Doric and Tuscan. Therefore, it’s best used where a bit more polish, higher design, and bigger scale is justified. Additionally, Ionic capitals visually ease the transition out of column to pediment. The way the capitals flatten and stretch out make for a wonderful transitional element.
The scale of the column also needs to be in tune with all the scale of the overall architecture. More often than not, classically motivated columns are too thin, making them seem like silly toothpicks instead of the strong reminders of antiquity they’re.
When in doubt, adhere to the 2,000-year-old principles for scale, among which is the column height ought to be seven days the column diameter.
Woodmeister Master Builders
In rooms with richly appointed finishes and details such as this wall using sconces and larger architectural moldings and trim — with a simpler Doric or Tuscan column would seem out of place, like a discordant note in a musical composition. The Corinthian (next) would be out of place here too, as its exuberant richness would detract from the elegance of the space.
Just Joh
4. Corinthian: Rational exuberance. The most extravagant and lavish of these orders would be the Corinthian and Composite. Seldom utilized in small houses, these dictates are richly detailed with plant-like capitals, fluted bottoms and richly detailed bases.
The Corinthian is the appropriate sequence in an area that exudes an intricacy of surface detail and a richness of complete.
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