Decorative columns
A column is a structural member of a building. It is a vertical element that takes the load of the structural members above, like beams ; ant transfers it to the structural members below, like the foundation . It takes compression part of the forces that are generated in a building. Sometimes, other compression carrying members are also referred to as columns because of this . Columns are used to support arches, vaults etc . One column may be from a single piece of the building material, like stone or wood . Such a column is called as monolithic. Or a column may also be made from compounded parts.
Columns are essentially tall in nature, which means that the proportion of their height to width is certain .
Decorative Features
The columns that are on the external part of a building, like entrance or courtyard etc, are decorated since they are seen by all . Such decorative columns can be traced back in history . They are found in every ancient architecture from Egyptian, Roman, Greek to Indus valley civilization. The decoration is done in a very thoughtful way. Some columns are of female figures standing with baskets on their head that are supporting the entablature . In another example, half of the human figures are male and half are female .
Coming back to the present, columns still remain to be an important part of our country houses . In a large farmhouse or country house, decorative columns are used at various places like at the entrance gate, the porch, the courtyard, the verandah and in the main structure . They can also be used inside the house for demarcating; without actually constructing a wall; the circulation area between the main hall and the informal area .
The style of such decorative columns must be matched with the style of the entire house . The architect or the planner will have to design these columns in detail, to the last nut and screw, before actually starting the building of the house . This will make the columns look in accordance with the whole house and not as separate features brought and placed afterwards.
Such columns have decoration mainly at the top and bottom. These are called as the crown and the base. If the at the ceiling, cornicing has been done, then Doric Order columns go well with it usually . Similarly, the style of decoration used for the ceiling will lead to the style to be adapted at the top of the columns .
The decoration at the bottom gives more freedom in the sense that, it is not visually connected to any other structural member, directly . Thus some new concept can be incorporated at while designing the base of the column. It may be a simple square and diminishing bands on it leading to a column or intrinsic ornamental work as well. In between, the top and the bottom, that is in the long body of the column, probably on flutings look decent . Any more of decoration work may only make it look cluttered.
Material
Presently, all sorts of materials are available for this purpose. Wood, fiber glass, FRP, PVC, polyurethane, all sorts of materials are available for choice . But only the structural engineer or the architect should take the final decision with material, as he knows better about the building than anyone else . The decoration type can be chosen by the owner.
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