Be honest – most of the time when your next design or architectural project begs for classic design elements, particularly when involving architectural columns, don’t you dust off your old college text books looking for what to use, how to use it and where it should be placed? Don’t you spend lost hours trying to figure out proportion, scale, intercolumnation [what’s that?], how the entablature relates to the decorative columns and entry? Do you feel overwhelmed at all the options, rules and specs? You are not alone!

When designing a home or commercial building, architects and designers interested in utilizing classical design elements have many choices indeed, including which style of architectural columns and capitals should be used and where they should be placed. In order for the design of the project to blend well with the architectural columns and other elements being used, an architect may desire the assistance of an architectural products specialist who can advise on both overall style and how that style will work within the established Orders of Architecture.

The Orders of Architecture And Why They Matter

The classic Orders of Architecture are Roman Doric, Roman Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite styles which include not only element proportions but include specific design motifs. Additional styles of decorative capitals that don’t fall within this framework, but are still very popular today include Empire, Scamozzi, and Temple of Wind. The Orders of Architecture define not only the look of these ancient styles but also follow a particular set of mathematical rules that manages the actual proportions of the decorative columns.

Financial, educational and like institutions want their communities to perceive them as a substantial entity, with strength and a superb foundation. For architects needing to convey this message, the Tuscan and Greek Doric styles should be considered. Tuscan architectural columns are simple and elegant in design and have a powerful, clean appearance as they give the impression of supporting a great deal of weight. Greek Doric decorative columns are also very straightforward and substantial in design. The simple Doric capital combined with weighty fluting and no column base; convey a permanence and authority not found with other styles. In today’s marketplace, Tuscan architectural columns can be ordered in both wood and fiberglass while traditional Doric decorative columns can be found in wood.

Based on the rules of the Orders of Architecture, proportionally the diameter of a Tuscan column would be seven times the height of the column. The diameter of a Greek Doric column would be five and one half times the column height. This means that these architectural columns would be shorter, stockier, and more solid in appearance than other column styles, and work well with certain building styles, especially structures that are large in scale.

Additionally, an architect looking for decorative columns that are more graceful in appearance should consider the Roman Ionic and Roman Corinthian architectural styles. Roman Ionic and Roman Corinthian architectural columns are available in fluted and smooth versions, which lend themselves to many interior and exterior applications including luxurious residences, upscale retail, commercial and hospitality facilities.

The crowning element of these decorative columns, the capital can be enhanced with a number of decorative options including the Roman Ionic and Corinthian, the Greek Erectheum and Greek Angular Ionic in addition to Scamozzi, Empire and Temple of Wind style capitals. The grace and charm of these styles of architectural columns are self evident in their popularity and can be specified in either fiberglass or wood shafts, with the decorative capitals being available in a number materials including, FRP, foam, gypsum, and stone composites.

The diameter of a Roman Ionic column is based on nine times the height of the column, with the Roman Corinthian diameter at ten times the column height. These more slender proportions cause these styles of architectural columns to have a more graceful and elegant appearance.

Why Intercolumnation Is Important To You

Within the framework of the Orders of Architecture the architect/designer must also take into consideration intercolumnation, that is, the distance between architectural columns, measured between the bottoms of shafts. This is critical when several decorative columns are being used and are also the focal point of the building elevation. Even an untrained eye can pick up improper spacing of architectural columns that can throw off the entire design. Saint Peters Square in Rome, Italy is an incredible example of a perfectly proportioned intercolumnation design.

Also when considering intercolumniation proportions and spacing, bear in mind the location of windows and doors on the building and how the architectural columns relate to these architectural features. Poorly spaced decorative columns can block windows and entries or make elevations look unbalanced. Intercolumnation may be of more interest to homeowners and residential builders as decorative columns could block natural light streaming into the residence.

The proportions of intercolumnation are fairly complex and include the relationships between architectural columns, column heights and widths and the expanse of the elevation. One should consider consulting with a manufacturer’s or supplier’s architectural product specialist for expertise and guidance. These individuals are often not just experts on classic architectural elements, but can help to “translate” the Orders of Architecture to today’s best construction practices.

Working with the Right Supplier of Architectural Products

For architects, builders and designers to achieve the best possible outcome for a commercial building or private residence, one should consider working with a supplier of architectural products that has an in-depth understanding of classical architecture and how it relates to today’s home and commercial building styles. While many architects have a general understanding of classical styles and proportion, a manufacturer or supplier of architectural products that staffs architectural product specialists will be able to offer critical guidance throughout the design and building process.

Once one begins working with a knowledgeable manufacturer or supplier of architectural products, he or she will gain a better understanding about key design elements such as the transition of the capital at the top of the column, how the capital will translate to the soffit (without being too narrow or too wide), or how far the building’s overhang must reach so that the bases of any architectural columns used will not project past the edge of the concrete pad or porch, and why the proportion of the entablature in relation to the decorative columns is key.

Conclusion

The challenge for architects, builders and designers lies in locating a manufacturer or supplier of architectural products that truly understands classical design and how this translates to the overall aesthetics of the final project.

Even a skilled professional in classical design can benefit greatly from working with an experienced supplier or manufacturer of decorative columns and other architectural products. This partnership will help to ensure that proportions, balance and style of architectural elements enhance the exterior of residential and commercial buildings not compete with each other. When the design of architectural elements is managed appropriately, along with proper sizing and spacing of decorative columns based on classical rules, the building will have a harmonious and aesthetic appearance that remains timeless.

This article was provided by Timeless Architectural Reproductions, Inc. Danny Gonzales is the national sales manager for Timeless Architectural Reproductions, Inc. He has 23 years of experience in custom manufacturing, sales, marketing, and operations in architectural millwork products and in related industries. Gonzales enjoys assisting his clients by providing creative solutions that exceed their project requirements. For more information about decorative columns, balustrades, and other architectural details from Timeless, please visit www.timelessarchitectural.com .