Architectural Column Architecture - Columns and Bases
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General Architectural Base History
In modern architecture, almost every structural column, and
even those used solely for décor, has an architectural base. The
base of a column is located directly beneath the column’s shaft.
Consisting of a plinth block and base molding, or Torus,
a column base is designed in several different styles
and sizes. The three most common
styles of bases
in the architecture today are the Tuscan Base, the
Attic Base, and the Doric Base.
Tuscan Architecture
- Column Base
Architectural Tuscan Base History
The Tuscan Base, probably the most simplistic style of
base in architectural history, is actually a derivative
of the Doric style column. The Romans, desiring a style
of column all their own, adapted the simple nature
of the Doric column, and designed what we know today as the Tuscan
order. The Tuscan column is the only architectural
column that does not consist of flutes, or grooves that run the
length of the shaft. Consistent with the nature of
the column, the architectural base that accompanies this style
of column is also non-decorative.
Architecturally
Correct Specifications
When architecturally
correct, the base’s height is
exactly one-third the diameter of the shaft. There
are parts to a Tuscan base: the Plinth Block, the Torus, (also
known as the bull nose or base molding), and the Cincture.
Directly above the stylobate, or the platform on which
the architectural column bases sit, is the Plinth.
The Plinth is a square block that normally measures about one
half of the total base height. Located on top of the
plinth block is the base molding. This architectural base molding
protrudes like a bull nose and wraps around the bottom
diameter of the column’s shaft. Separating the
column from the base is the decorative Cincture. The
Cincture
is a thin strip of molding that blends an architectural
column’s shaft into its base. These
three pieces together make what we know today
as
the Tuscan Base.
Attic Base
Architectural Attic Base History
In contrast with the Tuscan base, the Attic base is more
commonly used with decorative columns, such as the Ionic
or Corinthian orders. Being a more decorative architectural
column base, the Attic is composed of six separate sections
as opposed to the three of the Tuscan base. Architecturally Correct Specifications
Similar to all architectural bases, the Attic Base is consists
of a Plinth Block which occupies the lower one third
of the total base height. Directly above the Plinth Block
is a decorative molding, or Torus. Being a more decorative
architectural column base by nature, the base has two
Fillets, (small strips of base molding), between the
lower, and larger, Torus, and an upper, and slightly
narrower Torus. Located directly above the top base molding,
is the thin Cincture. These several pieces form what
has become known as the most decorative base in column
architecture.
Doric Column
Base
Although
the Doric order does not normally consist of an architectural
column base, the Doric base
was established
as a legitimate architectural base and used in specific
decorative purposes. Very similar to the Tuscan Base
in design, the Doric reflects the size of the Attic
base, being the height of one half of the column’s
width. Like all bases, the Doric begins with a
square plinth
block that rests directly below the Torus. Unique to
only the Doric style architectural column base, there
is a thin strip of beading that rests atop the base
molding. Blending the column and the base together
to form one
consistent look is the Cincture. Together these four
pieces contrive the uncommon, but decorative Doric
style of architectural column bases.
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