Proportions: The Harmony of Classical Architecture
Beyond the individual orders, classical architecture is governed by principles of proportion and symmetry, which imbue structures with a sense of harmony and balance. The ancient Greeks and Romans recognized the inherent beauty of geometric relationships and sought to apply these principles to their architectural designs.
One of the most enduring concepts in classical architecture is the golden ratio, a mathematical ratio of approximately 1/1.618, which is believed to represent the ideal proportion. Architects used the golden ratio to determine the dimensions of columns, pediments, and other architectural elements, striving to achieve a sense of visual equilibrium and aesthetic perfection.
The human scale also played a crucial role in classical architecture, with architects often deriving proportions from the human body. For example, the ratio of the height of the crowning entablature to the height of a column of any order stays the same throughout all the orders, and is meant to mimic the ratio of a human’s head to their body height. Also, though classical temples could be enormous, the intricate detailing of the orders, always repeated, meant that there would always be architectural elements comprehensible on the human scale, even standing next to a 30 foot tall column.
