The classical orders are the five 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 guiding framework in Western architecture.
The five classical orders
| Order | Origin | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| **Doric** | Greece | Austere, powerful, no column base, simple capital |
| **Ionic** | Asia Minor | More slender, volutes (scrolls) on the capital |
| **Corinthian** | Greece | Most decorated, acanthus leaves on the capital |
| **Tuscan** | Rome | Simplified Doric, smooth and unadorned |
| **Composite** | Rome | Combination of Ionic and Corinthian |
Components of a classical order
Each order consists of three main elements:
- Base (basement) — the plinth or pedestal on which the column stands
- Column — consisting of base, shaft and capital
- Entablature — the horizontal element above the columns, comprising architrave, frieze and cornice
The classical orders in architecture
The classical orders have been applied on a grand scale throughout Western architecture:
- Renaissance (1550-1650) — facades with pilasters in 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 DIY enthusiast
Knowledge of the classical orders is useful for:
- Restoring facade elements on historic properties
- Identifying the building period and style
- Choosing appropriate decorative profiles, mouldings or ornamental elements
Related terms
- Architrave
- Frieze
- Cornice
- Pilaster
- Column
- Basement storey