03. greek-classical orders_23.07.10

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the

Classica

l Orders

2ndJuly 2010


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History of Architecture

Greek Architecture

Phase I (800400 BC)

Growth

Search for plan and forms

Regulation of the Classical discipline

Phase II (Hellenistic)

Development of architecture encouraged

Modification of the classical forms and structures

Evolution of Hellenistic architecture ended with the Roman

and the Western world

A more restricted framework: that of cities

Town planning philosophy based on building types:

religious, civic, private, etc


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Hellenistic Architecture

Development of the vault(hemispherical) and arcade(the archthe

monumental gateways)

Engaged orders in decorative compositions

A princely an monarchical architecture

Favored the use of the Ionic style

Doricremained the order of thestoas

Welcomed the introduction of the Corinthianorder

Spans of colonnades were widened and supports heighteneda

pictorial effectto accentuate the decorative value of the facades and

the interiors

A new aesthetic approach based on a system of mathematical

relations and proportions


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About 8 century B.C. in classical Greece,

post and lintel architecture was artistically

refined beyond structural needs.

Process of transition from wood tostone. If we see carefully most of

remains of monuments are

recognizably derived from a wooden

counterpart.


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A classical format: colonnade

supporting horizontal entablature

made up with three main parts

respectively architrave, frieze and

top known as cornice. The capitalsof columns are a principle mean in

distinguishing one order from other.

Early structures: the early Greek

buildings were temples, a box likestructure with colonnade of the

Doric or Ionic orders (to give

dignity) where length was double

the width. Naos a windowless

chamber for deity with a great (or

pair of ) doors, surrounded with

colonnade, which served as a

pathway. They also support tiled

roof and apediment (the front

central part for decoration)

The other architectural element to

mention is anta or antae = a design

of a column on the end of wall. The

plan of anta became rectangular

than

circular.The order later became an element for


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Doric order was extremely heavy

but as knowledge of capacities of

stone developed the order became

progressively lighter. However Doric

has hardly changed from first to

last.

The Greek Doric order of classical

time never became so slender to

require a base for a column. A

column shaft tapered upwards. Theshaft ornamented with vertical

shallow flutes (usually 16 or 20)

which meet one other on a sharp

edge.

The capital has two main simple

parts abacus square on plan

supported on a rounded echinus.

The distinguish feature of Doric

entablature are deep plainarchitrave, a large triglyph blocks in


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Ionic order: On the other side Ionic was

more slender. A female order. In case of

ionic order only columns were made in

stone while entablature used to be in

wood so that no extra burden of weight

was thrown on to column and they could

remain slender.

Ionic had two main parts architraveand

cornice. In the middle of 6thc. BC

wooden entablature turned into stone.Though none of the illustrations shown

the two parts entablature. Because of

slenderness the ionic column invariably

has a moulded base.

The ionic shaftfluted and flutes are

deeper and the normal is 24 (against 20

of the Doric). And instead of meeting on

a sharp edge they are separated by a

small plain band called fillet. Thecapitals are elaborated with scrolls. The


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The Ionic order relieved the

severity of the more monumental

and sober Doric order.

Close ties between the sculptors

and architectsIonic st le found more a ro riate

Western Greece (Sicily & South Italy):

remained loyal to the Doric style

Mainland Greece: proportions robust

but not massive, entablature lightened

by a mixture of materialsstone &terracotta, pediment begins its


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Tuscany Plans (quite identical to

Greek ones)

Terracotta-tiled roof at Tuscany

The Etruscans maintained their association with Greece and their own methods

of construction based on the influences from ancient Greece and national

(Italian) principles. However during Etruscans times this order never been

wholly translated in stone. Alike Greek Ionic masonry columns supported

wooden entablature protected and decorated with terracotta slabs. Tuscan was

truly authentic example but nonexistent in antiquity. It was always regarded as

Doric with certain elements omitted. This order was reco nized as a se arate

Tuscan order: Tuscan is nothing more than simplified

Roman Doric. The earliest known remains date from 8th

century B.C. or earlier maybe 9th century when colonists

from Lydia (from Asiamanor, Greece) settled in Etruria, a

state corresponding with the modern town of Tuscany.


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On the contrary to greek orders, the

columns of the lighter orders carried

heavier entablatures. Even the material

was very showy. Use of Italian colored

marble for column shafts. And to display

the fine quality of marble, the flutes

were omitted.

used columns in couples, in groups or

they were placed alternately at wide and

narrow intervals. The Significant usewas that the orders were used in tiers,

one above another.

Composite

Romans devised yet anotherorder, composite. Completing a full

historical total of five. Though until

renaissance it wasnt settled about what

its proper components were to be.

In roman times a composite order wasjust like its name.An assemblage of

elements which were already in use as

part of one or other order. The

distinguished feature was its capital, a

combination of Ionic scrolled volutes withthe lower foliated parts of the Corinthian

03. greek-classical orders_23.07.10

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