Understanding some architectural history can shed light on decisions that we still see today. Architecture is one of the oldest recorded professions, with the first architect being written in history in 2600 B.C. in the Egyptian’s ancient history. This honor goes to Imhotep, the royal architect for the Pharoah Djoser. He is credited with inventing the method of stone-dressed buildings and the use of columns in architecture. Both of these practices are still used today.
Vitruvian Architecture
One of the first written accounts of architecture was penned by Vitruvian in about 80 B.C. and was called The Ten Books of Architecture. One of his most profound contributions to architectural thinking is his Triad which is found in Book 1:3:2, which consists of 1. durability, 2. convenience, and 3. beauty.
Fast forward 2,000+ years and these three, durability, convenience, and beauty are still three pillars of every home. Vitriuvius references the Temple to Diana in his Ten Books on Architecture in Book 1:2:5. This temple was actually rebuilt three times and the grandest – which was also the last one – would be the one that existed during Vitriuvius’ time. The temple was built in Ephesus with the third iteration of it being funded by the Ephesians (7 Wonders).
This structure was constructed with Ionic columns, which dwelled on the spectrum between the masculine Doric and the feminine Corinthian columns (Virtuvius p. 15). Perhaps we could loosely propose they are more aligned with the liberated, durable, and dedicated women who birthed the women’s rights movement in the mid-1800s.
The two key elements here are the pitched roof and the repetition of the columns. Columns make clear spans possible. Here we see two columns supporting an archway leading from one area of the home to another. Removing walls and opening spaces provides a modern feel to a home while still harkening back to both Imhotep and Vitruvius.
In reference to the Triad, the durability of this monumental temple can be seen in the construction materials of marble. This Greek temple, in fact, was completely constructed of marble. The multiple columns evenly spaced throughout the structure provided sufficient support for the gabled roof (Temple of Artemis). Floor plans, even though depicted in 2D, are very enlightening as to the construction of the home. The columns are marked with the round circles on the plan.
Columns are still marked in a similar fashion in floor plans today. The next image is a log home plan that we advertise on Cowboy Log Homes. Notice the green circles in the center of the plan. These mark the location of support posts in the interior of the home. the circles towards the outer edges denote where the support posts for the covered porch are located. True to Vitruvian and our Egyptian friend Imhotep the columns are evenly spaced.
Regarding convenience, the Temple of Diana allowed for a free flow of traffic around the columns instead of having multiple solid walls to navigate. The interior spaces where the more sacred activities occurred were separated by some interior walls. This provided a public and a private composition to the building. Ease of access and added convenience was gained by the level site around the building and it could be accessed by the stairs that were present on every side. The evenly spaced columns exhibit symmetry and also played a role in convenience as they offered clear lines of sight down the building between the rows of columns on both an east-to-west and north-to-south arrangement (Roman Temple).
Today, we still separate our homes into public and private spaces. Columns make possible the open airy covered porches that everyone loves. This is our most public of spaces. Moving inside, the entryway and great room areas are the most public of our spaces. The private quarters are of course our bedrooms, office, bathrooms, and any private areas off of the master suite like a private patio. Are our homes convenient? I believe so. Making a home an enjoyable experience means that all of the rooms are accessible through inviting doorways and open transitions.
Durability of a home today depends on many things. One of the most durable in the face of diaster is a log home. The log homes with notched corners, like the one drawn above, forms a solid wall of logs that interlock. In one account of a flood many years ago, the log home was lifted off of its foundations, floated down the river, and got hung up on a bridge. The home was fished off the bridge, trucked back to the site, and placed back on its foundation. Other methods like having a home structurally engineered in the design phase helps to insure that it last well. Other choices like engineered lumber joists, metal roofing rated for 30 years or more, and thicker footers and foundation walls also help to increase the longevity of a structure.
And finally, the Temple of Diana can be viewed as beautiful. The white marble, fine carvings such as are visible on this column drum, and the impressive columns made this building a credit to the pagan goddess it was designed to honor (Temple of Artemis).
When designing your own home, think of beauty. To some logs are beautiful. To others, stone or stucco, wood or vinyl is inviting. The finish choices depend on what you prefer and also what is allowed by your county, city, or HOA. Often the allowable siding choices are influenced by what performs well in the climate where the house is built.
No matter what style or size of home is needed to meet your dreams, fit into your budget, and reflect your personal flair, we can still learn from history. Vitruvian’s triad of durability, convenience, and beauty are as relevant today as they were two millennia ago when they were first recorded in The Ten Books of Architecture. If you are only ever going to get to build a new home once, then it is important to do your research, plan diligently, and dream!
Works Cited:
7 Wonders, 7wonders.org/asia/turkey/izmir/temple-of-artemis/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
“Roman Temple to Diana in Mérida.” Spain.Info, www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/roman-temple-diana/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.
Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus, penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/greece/paganism/artemis.html. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.