History of Columns



stone fluted columns The earliest columns of record were crafted in Egypt. Many Egyptian columns crafted in 2600 BC were very large in size, narrowly spaced, and carved to resemble bundled reeds. Architectural columns became more than a simple structural element, gaining aesthetic and artistic value. Later columns located in Persia possessed elaborately carved capitals, decorated with bulls and animal figures. The Roman style column is among the most popular. The Roman columns were derived from classic Greek designs.

Columns were often combined with arches and beams, creating a fluid sense of harmony. During Medieval times, the flowing vines, leaves and foliate mask of the "green man " face design attached to the capital of a column became popular in churches.

The classic architectural columns of Europe are referred to as orders: the Doric order, also known as the Tuscan order, is composed of one part, the cylinder, and tapers toward its top. The Ionic order has a grooved fluted design, with a scrolled capital. The Corinthian order is similar to the Ionic order, but the capitol includes rows of acanthus leaves.

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When designing a public building or a custom house, an architect is often looking for opportunities to include unique design touches. While most architects have to keep an eye on the budget like the rest of us, sometimes they will turn to the use of architectural columns to provide some of those unique qualities.

Architectural columns can be either decorative or load bearing, depending on their designed purpose. What sets architectural columns apart is the fact that, as a design component, often they are designed with style components that can't be found in traditional column styles.

Architectural columns can be square or hexagonal, may feature unusual bases and capitals (or tops) that are a product of the architect's imagination. The many variations of the traditional Tuscan, Ionic, Doric or Corinthian columns may be set aside for something entirely unique in an architectural column. What makes this possible is the wide range of raw materials that are used for the manufacture of columns today.