OPTICAL CORRECTIONS
TO APPEAR AS IN FIGURE ‘E’ , THE COLUMNS &
STYLOBATE ( PLINTH ) HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED
ON SITE AS IN FIGURE ‘G’.
COLUMNS ARE MADE CONVEX
FOR STRAIGHT APPEARANCE
( DUE TO MORE HEIGHT )
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HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING IS MORE, THEN THE LETTERS AT THE TOP APPEAR SMALL.THEREFORE THE
LETTERS ARE WRITTEN AS SHOWN IN FIGURE A, TO APPEAR AS NORMAL IN THEIR HEIGHTS.
AXIS OF THE COLUMN IS KEPT INCLINED TO AVOID SAGIGNG APPEARANCE DUE TO MORE HEIGHT ( 34’ )
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GREEK ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER ---- Accepted as classic civilization & is beyond any criticism.
Early period known as Minoan or Micenean ( 3000 BC – 700 BC) -- Massive structures with
1. Cyclopian masonry 2.rectangular 3.Masonry & polygonal masonry.
Hellenic period followed the Micenean is recognized as Greek architecture. ( 700 BC – 146 BC)
Essentially columnar & trabiated style, which is simple& uncomplicated.
During development the columns became more graceful & mouldings became refined. Greek buildings
were designed with harmony & simplicity. Many refinements were practised to correct optical illusions .
The long horizontal linesof stylobates,architeraves, & cornices were formed with slightly convex outlines
to make them appear straight . Columns were placed closer to support the stone horizontal lintels. ( beams)
Fine grained & hard marble was used to treat the architecture & sculpture beautifully. Greeks developed
the Doric, Ionic & Corinthian column orders. The surfaces & facades were covered with Stucco. S
ometimes Lime stones were used for construction.
An ‘ ORDER’ in classic architecture consist of the upright support or column including base & capital
& the horizontal entablature or part supported.
The proportions of columns, entablature, mouldings & ornament vary in different “orders”.
EARLY PERIOD EXAMPLES ---
This includes town halls, palaces & tombs. Located near Acropolis @ 900’ above sea level. Palace of king
Minos
Was a remarkable structure which was later used by Romans for their palaces & camps.
The layout of palace was laid on 5 acres of land. The apartments are grouped around a central courtyard.
Several stories were reached by stairs Remarkable wall frescoes, coloured plaster for ceilings &
well developed terrra-cotta drains were prominent features. Ar. Maya Vaidya
GREEK CITIES ---
Many cities were upon the hills or in the vicinity, known as Acropolis or upper city. This formed the citadel where
for safety the principal temples & treasuries were erected. Acropolis at Athens foremost among world famous
building sites which is renowned for temples which are pride & crown of city of Athens. The old temple of Goddess
Athena was by the side of temple of Parthenon.
There use to be open air theatres along the slope of hill. Propylea was the graceful structure of entrance to Acropolis.
Portices were on either side with colonnades.
TEMPLES --
Temples formed the most important class of Greek buildings. They were built withspecial regard to the external
effects ( elevational treatments ) They were ornamented with finest sculpture in order to form fitting shrines
for the deities to whom they were dedicated. They generally stood in “Temenos” sacred enclosure & raised on
stylobate of three steps. The ‘Naos’ contain the statue of God or Goddess & treasury chamber besides front &
rare porticoes. ( colonnaded verandahs ) On the two end facades was a triangular pediment filled with
sculpture which is the end of the sloping roof. The roof was made of timber framing with Marble slabs by
overlapping one-another. The light was admitted through transparent Alabaster stone slabs in roof & also from
doorways & porticos & by lighting the oil lamps. ‘ Naos’ is followed by ‘Pro-Naos’ hall.
Doric order columns --- The most sturdy & without base. Height is 4 to 6 times of the diameter at the base.
Directly rests on Stylobate of three steps. Fluted circular shaft. The entablature is ¼ of the height of the order.
Ionic column order – Specially remarkable for it’s volute capital may have been derived from
Egyptian Lotus Might have been derived from Egyptian Lotus.
The entablature varies in height but generally 1/5 of the toal height of order.
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Corinthian order ---- Base & shaft resembles the Ionic. Generally 10 times it’s diameter in height.
And is placed on Stylobate. The capital is highly decorative & might be the combination of
Egyptian & Assyrian sculpture. This capital is of bell shape surrounded by Acathus leaves.
Greek theaters --- This consisted of an orchestra, auditorium & stage. These were generally
hollowed out of hill slope near city. These were open air theaters with tiered seats some times covered with marble.
The plans were complete circle. There were dressing rooms at the back of the stage. This was raised to a height.
Domestic buildings --- Greek houses resembled palaces in general arrangements. They were mostly single storied
& grouped around an internal court. Colonnaded Porticoes on three sides with chambers grouped around.
Public buildings ---
AGORA ---- Open air meeting places for transaction of business. These were the large spaces sourrounded by Stoa
Or colonnades giving access to the public buildings such as temples, basilicas, theaters & gymnasia.
STOA --- A feature in the open air life of Greeks. These were formed to protect pilgrims who come
to visit temples. They also act as shelters & connect different buildings & monuments.
HIPPODROME & STADION --- these are used for sports & national games.
Hippodromes were used for Horse racing .
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