Theory & History of
Interior Design
Lecture 2
Ancient World: Greek Civilisations…
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Greek Design
Design Lecture
2
3000BC – 150AD
1. Developed Order & Proportion
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
3 common basic orders
1st basic order
DORIC
Austere column - A stone shaft
Plain block capital
Height is 4-7 time diameter
No base
20 flutes is typical
Character
Strong, pure & Dignified
Derives beauty from pure form & proportion
1. Developed Order & Proportion
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
2nd basic order
IONIC
More slender than the Doric
Height is 9-10 times diameter
Moulded base for the columns
Spiral capital- Known as a volute
24 flutes is typical
Character
Feminine, gracious & charming
Less restrained then the DORIC
1. Developed Order & Proportion
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
3rd basic orders
CORINTHIAN
Fanciful
Similar to Ionic column except for the capital
2 rows of acanthus leaves & a top row with volutes
Decorative & Elaborate
No base
Character
Rich & Elaborate
Derives character from ornate carving & details
Shaft is slightly more slender then the ionic
1. Codified System
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
The codified system developed by the Greek-Order.
The name was based on the place of origin.
2. Logical & Rational Arrangements
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
The perfection of Form
Formal, Refined – reflecting a natural harmony
Parts related to each other & the whole – emphasized proportions
Base principles of repose, symmetry, stability & clarity
Buildings were surrounded by open porches - Porticos & rows of colonnades
3. Motifs & Molding
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
To express scale & proportion
Enhance aesthetics
Achieve harmony among parts
Articulated transitions
2&3. Codified System
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
Known for refinement of design & widely admired & imitated by Western
design
Greek architecture used very basic geometrical layout forms- circular, oval,
apsidal or rectangular
Commonly built temples to honour the various Greek gods & goddesses
One of the most
famous Grecian
ruins is the
Parthenon which is
in Athens
4. Caryatid
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
Mastered the art of carving marble
Carved supports & columns into human form
To represent soldiers or water bearers
5. Klismos Chair
Greek Style 3000 BC - 150 AD
Mortise & tenon joint connections
Outward-curving legs
Originally assembled with animal horns
Same design extended to the use of other
furniture
Early design of the Klismos had the back low
fixed between the back uprights
In later designs, the back were fixed on top of
the uprights