The classical orders

Architecture is a language, and learning new architectural forms, especially the classical orders, allows us to recognize them everywhere. These orders, developed by the ancient Greeks for their temples, are the fundamental building blocks of Western architecture, used for over 2,500 years. The basic architectural system is post and lintel, exemplified by Stonehenge, where vertical posts support a horizontal lintel. The Greeks refined this system significantly with decorative elements, leading to the classical orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian (with lesser-known Tuscan and Composite orders).

The Doric order is the oldest, simplest, and most severe, dating back to the 7th century BC on mainland Greece. Key features include the pediment (the triangular space at the top of the temple), and below it, the entablature, specifically the frieze, which is decorated with triglyphs (three vertical marks) and metopes (spaces often filled with sculpture). Historically, triglyphs are believed to originate from the ends of wooden planks in earlier wooden temples. The Doric capital is simple, with a flare and a plain slab. The column shaft is fluted with shallow vertical lines and has no decorative base, resting directly on the temple floor. Doric columns also exhibit entasis, a slight swelling towards the center (widest about one-third from the base) to give a sense of liveliness and bear weight, making each column drum a unique, handcrafted piece.

The Ionic order emerged after the Doric and presents a more delicate and less massive aesthetic. Vitruvius, the ancient Roman architectural historian, associated it with a more feminine form due to its taller and thinner proportions. The distinguishing feature of the Ionic order is its capital, adorned with scroll-like shapes known as volutes. Ionic columns also feature a slightly different type of fluting compared to Doric and, importantly, include a decorative base at the bottom of the shaft.

The Corinthian order is the most decorative and complex of the three. Its distinguishing feature is its capital, which is elaborately decorated with leaf-like shapes, typically acanthus leaves. A popular myth suggests its origin from an acanthus plant growing through a basket placed on a grave. Corinthian columns also have bases and tend to be taller, similar to the Ionic. This order is the most intricate, incorporating both the Ionic volutes and the elaborate acanthus leaf forms, showcasing a high level of decorative embellishment. The video concludes by emphasizing that these Greek classical orders were foundational, serving as a genesis for Roman architecture and influencing subsequent classical traditions that continue to be borrowed from today.