Architectural orders are the five classical architectural style systems from Greek and Roman antiquity that define the proportions, forms and ornamentation of columns, capitals and entablatures. Each order has its own character and was used for centuries as a guide in Western architecture — including in the Netherlands.
The five classical orders
| Order | Origin | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| **Doric** | Greece | Austere, powerful, no column base, simple capital |
| **Ionic** | Asia Minor | More slender, volutes (scrolls) on the capital |
| **Corinthian** | Greece | Most ornate, acanthus leaves on the capital |
| **Tuscan** | Rome | Simplified Doric, smooth and unadorned |
| **Composite** | Rome | Combination of Ionic and Corinthian |
Components of an architectural order
Each order consists of three main elements:
- Basement (substructure) — the plinth or pedestal on which the column stands
- Column — the pillar, consisting of base, shaft and capital
- Entablature (superstructure) — the horizontal part above the columns, comprising architrave, frieze and cornice
Architectural orders in the Netherlands
Dutch architecture has applied the orders on a large scale:
- Renaissance (1550-1650) — facades with pilasters in the Ionic or Corinthian order
- Classicism (1650-1800) — strict application of Doric and Ionic forms
- Neoclassicism (1800-1900) — rediscovery of Greek forms in public buildings
- Eclecticism — free mixing of orders in a single facade
Superposition
In multi-storey buildings, the orders are stacked from bottom to top in a fixed sequence: Doric (heaviest) at the bottom, Ionic in the middle, Corinthian (lightest) at the top. This is called superposition.
Relevance for the DIYer
Knowledge of architectural orders is useful for:
- Restoring facade elements on listed buildings
- Identifying the building period and style
- Choosing appropriate decorative mouldings, cornices or ornamental elements
Related terms
- Architrave
- Frieze
- Cornice
- Pilaster
- Column
- Basement