CLASSICAL DETAILS AND ORNAMENTATION

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page 1
Table of Contents 2
Introduction 3
Content 4
Conclusion 6
Recommendation 7
References 7

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INTRODUCTION
"The architects and craftsmen that Phillip has featured in this wonderful
book all have a love for classical detail. The art is alive and well, as can be
attested to in these pages." — David Easton

THE ART OF CLASSICAL DETAILS “To this day the most modern of
“classical” architecture examples an appreciation of symmetry and attention to
geometrical precision and proportion that visually equates with the highest of
construction and design standards.” John B. Murray
The reason is because it was built and designed using classical proportions and
scale, something lacking in modern houses. A century ago, builders, craftsmen,
architects, and designers knew something that’s been mostly forgotten today: the
rules of classical design.

Before the age of production houses, everyone involved in the craft of

building homes understood and designed using classical rules on everything
from porches to interior trim. Classical details were understood and
natural, whether in a Georgian home or a Victorian mansion. In order to perform
proper restoration work today, it’s important to understand these classical rules-
they’re crucial to good design, and for getting missing details right in a historic
house.

The classical rules of design and proportion were established by the

Greeks and Romans, and reaffirmed during the Renaissance. The Greeks (and
then the Romans) looked to nature and man as a model for design, discovering
in both places a proportion so perfect they called it the golden ratio. It is best
realized in the golden rectangle, a mathematical ratio of roughly 3:5.

Ornamentation was confined to a particular style, given a clear definition,

implemented with a set of rules, and was produced and applied inconsistent
methodologies. The ornamentation seen in contemporary architecture surpasses

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the material realm, produced using the digital medium, and often exists in virtual
reality. It is manifested in either intrinsic or extrinsic forms, from graphic
compositions to three-dimensional sculpture construction.  It displays a great
incuriosity in the style of architecture, governed by a digital paradigm. This form
of ornamentation tries to achieve surface effects and dynamism. The design is
highly grounded on CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided
Manufacturing).

CONTENT
Classical architecture, architecture of ancient Greece and Rome,
especially from the 5th century BCE in Greece to the 3rd century CE in Rome,
that emphasized the column and pediment. Greek architecture was based chiefly
on the post-and-beam system, with columns carrying the load. Timber
construction was superseded by construction in marble and stone. The column, a
unit human in scale, was used as a module for all of a temple’s proportions.
The Doric order, probably the earliest, remained the favorite of the Greek
mainland and western colonies. The Ionic order developed in eastern Greece; on
the mainland, it was used chiefly for smaller temples and interiors. Both Doric
and Ionic orders are present in the Athens Acropolis, the greatest Greek
architectural achievement. By the late 5th century BCE, the orders were applied
to such structures as stoas and theatres. The Hellenistic Age produced more
elaborate and richly decorated architecture, with often colossal buildings. Many
of the great buildings were secular rather than religious, and the Ionic and
especially the newer Corinthian orders were widely used.
The Romans used the Greek orders and added two new
ones, Tuscan and Composite, but the Corinthian was by far the most popular.
Roman architects used columns not only as functional bearing elements but also
as applied (engaged) decoration. Though rigidly adhering to symmetry, the
Romans used a variety of spatial forms. Whereas Greek temples were isolated
and almost always faced east-west, Roman temples were oriented with respect

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to other buildings. Roman columns carried arches as well as entablatures,
permitting greater spatial freedom. The discovery of concrete
enormously facilitated construction using the arch, vault, and dome, as in
the Pantheon. Other public buildings included basilicas, baths, amphitheaters,
and triumphal arches. Classical architecture may also refer to architecture of later
periods that employs Greek or Roman forms.
Ornamentation, in architecture, applied embellishment in various styles
that is a distinguishing characteristic of buildings, furniture, and household items.
Ornamentation often occurs on entablatures, columns, and the tops of buildings
and around entryways and windows, especially in the form of moldings.
Throughout antiquity and into the Renaissance, and later for religious buildings,
applied ornament was very important, often having symbolic meaning.
The anthemion petal motif was especially popular on the moldings of
ancient Greek cornices. Other motifs from antiquity include the
Egyptian cartouche (oval), fretwork (banding) of capitals, fluting and reeding of
columns, bas-relief egg-and-dart moldings (with alternating oval and pointed
forms), and scrollwork such as that found on Ionic capitals and in the running-dog
pattern (or wave scroll). Brattishing refers to the continuous embellishment
around the top of a wall, common in the Gothic period. The diaper motif, an
allover pattern of small repeated shapes, was also often used in this period. The
use of strapwork (interlaced scrollwork), which originated with Islamic metalwork,
is characteristic of Mannerist architecture and furniture.
Ornamentation was confined to a particular style, given a clear definition,
implemented with a set of rules, and was produced and applied inconsistent
methodologies. The ornamentation seen in contemporary architecture surpasses
the material realm, produced using the digital medium, and often exists in virtual
reality. It is manifested in either intrinsic or extrinsic forms, from graphic
compositions to three-dimensional sculpture construction.  It displays a great
incuriosity in the style of architecture, governed by a digital paradigm. This form
of ornamentation tries to achieve surface effects and dynamism. The design is

5
highly grounded on CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided
Manufacturing).

There is an ever-increasing interest in ornamentation shown by architects,

mainly due to the potential that the form of ornament carries with it today, which
is contemporary in every sense. This fact is proved through the numerous
publications in literature and exhibitions held on the discourse of the meaning of
ornamentation today. There have been about 38 exhibitions held from the period
of 2005 to 2015 around the world, most of which took place in 2014 and 2015.

CONCLUSION

Classical architecture, architecture of ancient Greece and Rome,

especially from the 5th century BCE in Greece to the 3rd century CE in Rome,
that emphasized the column and pediment.

Greek architecture was based chiefly on the post-and-beam system, with

columns carrying the load. Both Doric and Ionic orders are present in the Athens
Acropolis, the greatest Greek architectural achievement. The Hellenistic Age
produced more elaborate and richly decorated architecture, with often colossal
buildings. Many of the great buildings were secular rather than religious, and the
Ionic and especially the newer Corinthian orders were widely used. The Romans
used the Greek orders and added two new ones, Tuscan and Composite, but the
Corinthian was by far the most popular. Roman architects used columns not only
as functional bearing elements but also as applied (engaged) decoration.
Whereas Greek temples were isolated and almost always faced east-west,
Roman temples were oriented with respect to other buildings. Roman columns
carried arches as well as entablatures, permitting greater spatial freedom.
Classical architecture may also refer to architecture of later periods that employs
Greek or Roman forms.

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 Ornamentation, in architecture, applied embellishment in various styles
that is a distinguishing characteristic of buildings, furniture, and household items.
Ornamentation often occurs on entablatures, columns, and the tops of buildings
and around entryways and windows, especially in the form of moldings.
Throughout antiquity and into the Renaissance, and later for religious buildings,
applied ornament was very important, often having symbolic meaning.

Other motifs from antiquity include the Egyptian cartouche (oval), fretwork
(banding) of capitals, fluting and reeding of columns, bas-relief egg-and-dart
moldings (with alternating oval and pointed forms), and scrollwork such as that
found on Ionic capitals and in the running-dog pattern (or wave scroll).

The ornamentation seen in contemporary architecture surpasses the

material realm, produced using the digital medium, and often exists in virtual
reality. This form of ornamentation tries to achieve surface effects and dynamism.
There is an ever-increasing interest in ornamentation shown by architects, mainly
due to the potential that the form of ornament carries with it today, which is
contemporary in every sense.

RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCES
Lane, D. (2014, February 14). Understanding Aesthetics - Classical Rules of
Design - OldHouseGuy Blog. OldHouseGuy Blog.
https://www.oldhouseguy.com/aesthetics-the-solution/

‌Ornamentation | architecture. (2019). In Encyclopædia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/ornamentation-architecture

Ornamentation in Contemporary Architecture - Rethinking The Future. (2020,

May 6). RTF | Rethinking the Future.

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https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architects-lounge/a819-ornamentation-in-
contemporary-architecture/