Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Entablature

An entablature is the horizontal superstructure in classical architecture that rests directly on the capitals of columns, comprising three primary components: the architrave (the lowest beam-like section spanning the columns), the frieze (the middle band often featuring decorative elements), and the cornice (the uppermost projecting molding that caps the assembly).^[1] This arrangement forms the upper portion of a classical order, providing both structural support for the roof or pediment and aesthetic balance to the vertical columns below.^[2] In the five classical orders—Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite—the entablature varies in proportion and ornamentation to harmonize with the column style, adhering to established ratios such as a 4:1 relationship between column height and entablature height as standardized by Renaissance architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola.^[2] For instance, the Doric entablature features a plain architrave and a frieze alternating triglyphs (vertical grooved blocks) and metopes (decorated panels), reflecting its origins in ancient Greek temples for simplicity and strength.^[1] The Ionic and Corinthian orders, by contrast, introduce more elaborate moldings and volutes or acanthus-leaf capitals below, with friezes that may include continuous sculptural narratives rather than rigid patterns.^[2] Originating in ancient Greek architecture around the 7th century BCE, the entablature evolved through Roman adaptations that added bases to columns and richer detailing, influencing later revivals during the Renaissance and neoclassical periods.^[2] These elements not only defined temple facades like the Parthenon but also became foundational in Western architectural design, symbolizing order, proportion, and classical ideals of beauty.^[1]

Definition and Historical Context

Definition

In classical architecture, an entablature refers to the horizontal superstructure supported by columns or pilasters, positioned immediately above their capitals and below the roofline or pediment. It consists of three principal horizontal divisions: the architrave at the base, the frieze in the middle, and the cornice at the top, which together provide both structural support and decorative articulation to the building. This assembly bridges the vertical elements of the columns to the horizontal roof structure, embodying principles of proportion and order central to Greco-Roman design.^[3]^[4] The entablature's design evolved from earlier wooden beam constructions in ancient Greece, transitioning to stone in the 7th century BCE with the Doric order, and was later refined in Roman architecture as documented by Vitruvius. It serves dual purposes: structurally distributing loads from the roof to the columns while aesthetically defining the building's style through varying levels of ornamentation, such as triglyphs in the Doric frieze or volutes in the Ionic cornice. The term originates from the Italian intavolatura, meaning "something put on a table," alluding to its analogy with a tabletop resting on column "legs," derived ultimately from the Latin tabula for board or plank.^[5]^[6]^[7] As a hallmark of the classical orders, the entablature's proportions are strictly regulated—typically one-fourth the height of the column in the Doric order but more elaborate in Ionic and Corinthian variants—ensuring visual harmony and influencing its application in later revivals, from Renaissance palazzos to 19th-century neoclassical public buildings.^[2]

Origins and Etymology

The term "entablature" entered the English language in the early 17th century, specifically around 1611, as a borrowing from Italian intavolatura, meaning "panelling" or "boarding."^[8] This Italian word derives from the verb intavolare, "to cover with boards or panels," composed of the preposition in- (meaning "in" or "on," from Latin in-) and tavola ("table" or "plank," from Latin tabula, referring to a board or flat slab).^[9] The etymology evokes the horizontal, table-like structure of the architectural element, which rests atop columns like a boarded platform, and it was nativized through obsolete French forms before adoption in English architectural terminology.^[10] Related terms include tablature in music, also from Latin tabula, highlighting the shared root in flat, structured surfaces.^[11] Architecturally, the entablature originated in ancient Greek temple design, emerging as a standardized horizontal superstructure by the 6th century B.C. as part of the Doric and Ionic orders.^[12] It evolved from earlier wooden beam constructions, where the architrave represented the primary lintel or beam spanning columns, the frieze incorporated decorative elements mimicking structural joints, and the cornice provided an overhanging eaves-like projection.^[13] Early examples appear in structures such as the Temple of Apollo at Corinth (c. 540 B.C.) and the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina (c. 500–480 B.C.), where the entablature ensured proportional harmony and supported the roof while allowing for sculptural ornamentation.^[12] The concept was later adapted by the Romans, who refined it within their versions of the classical orders, integrating it into broader imperial architecture from the 1st century B.C. onward.^[13] This evolution maintained the entablature's tripartite division—architrave, frieze, and cornice—while allowing variations in proportion and decoration to suit monumental buildings like forums and basilicas, thus perpetuating its role as a hallmark of classical style.^[13]

Structural Components

Architrave

The architrave, also known as the epistyle, forms the lowest horizontal division of the entablature in classical architecture, resting directly atop the capitals of supporting columns and serving as the primary load-bearing beam that spans the space between them.^[14] It functions structurally to distribute the weight of the roof, frieze, and cornice evenly to the columns below, while aesthetically representing the main lintel in the post-and-lintel system derived from early wooden temple constructions.^[1] In its stone form, the architrave evolved from timber prototypes, where it concealed joints and beam ends, contributing to the overall stability and visual continuity of the superstructure.^[15] In the Doric order, the architrave is characteristically plain and robust, typically composed of three stacked, flat bands or fasciae that project slightly outward, emphasizing simplicity and strength.^[2] Unique to this order, it includes decorative elements such as regulae—short, vertical strips aligned beneath the triglyphs of the overlying frieze—and guttae, small, rounded peg-like projections (usually in rows of six) suspended below the regulae, evoking the wooden dowels and rain drips of archaic roofs.^[16] These features, as seen in the Parthenon at Athens, add subtle texture without compromising the order's austere profile.^[17] The Ionic order's architrave adopts a more refined and stepped form, divided into three unequal fasciae where each upper band projects beyond the lower one, creating a dynamic, ascending rhythm that enhances the order's elegance.^[18] Lacking the Doric regulae and guttae, it presents a smoother surface, and supports a continuous frieze without interruptions, as exemplified in the Temple of Athena Nike.^[2] This design balances structural integrity with graceful proportions, allowing for finer moldings at the edges. In the Corinthian order, the architrave mirrors the Ionic in its three-banded fasciae structure but integrates seamlessly with the more ornate capital, often featuring subtle elaborations to harmonize with the acanthus-leaf motifs below.^[19] Its height aligns closely with the Ionic, and it bears elaborate friezes in Roman applications, such as the Temple of Mars Ultor, where the flat abacus of the capital transitions smoothly into the architrave's bands.^[20] This configuration underscores the order's grandeur, prioritizing decorative unity over stark utility.^[2]

Frieze

The frieze constitutes the central horizontal band of the entablature in classical architecture, positioned between the architrave below and the cornice above, serving both structural and decorative functions by distributing loads from the roof while providing space for ornamental sculpture or plain surfacing.^[21] In its earliest Greek manifestations around the 7th century BCE, the frieze likely evolved from wooden beam-end decorations in temple construction, transitioning to stone as a narrative element depicting mythological scenes, processions, or abstract motifs to convey cultural and religious significance.^[22] In the Doric order, the frieze is characterized by an alternating pattern of triglyphs—vertical blocks with three grooves, symbolizing the ends of wooden beams—and metopes, the square panels between them often filled with carved reliefs such as battles or sacrifices.^[22] Vitruvius, in his De Architectura (c. 30–15 BCE), specifies that Doric metopes measure one and a half modules in height and one module in width, with triglyphs aligned over column centers to maintain optical harmony.^[23] A seminal example is the Parthenon in Athens (447–432 BCE), where the Doric frieze's metopes illustrate episodes from Greek myths, though the temple also incorporates an Ionic frieze internally around the cella walls depicting the Panathenaic procession.^[22] The Ionic order features a continuous frieze without triglyphs, allowing for unbroken relief sculpture that emphasizes fluidity and elegance, often portraying processions or floral motifs suited to its more ornate aesthetic.^[21] Vitruvius describes the Ionic frieze as sculptured, integrated with dentils below the cornice for added refinement.^[23] This form predominated in eastern Greek and island temples, as seen in the frieze of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athens Acropolis (c. 425 BCE), which combines Nike figures with victory scenes.^[22] In the Corinthian order, introduced later in the 5th century BCE and favored by Romans, the frieze mirrors the Ionic's continuous style but achieves greater elaboration through intricate leaf-and-scroll carvings or figural narratives, complementing the order's acanthus capitals.^[22] Vitruvius notes its sculptured nature akin to Ionic, underscoring its role in luxurious civic and monumental buildings.^[23] The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (c. 420 BCE) provides an early hybrid example, blending Doric structure with an Ionic frieze interior.^[22]

Cornice

The cornice is the uppermost division of the entablature in classical architecture, serving as a projecting horizontal molding that crowns the structure and provides protection from weather while adding decorative emphasis.^[5] It functions both structurally, by supporting the roof or pediment and directing rainwater away from the building's facade, and aesthetically, by creating a strong shadow line that defines the upper edge of the composition.^[24] The term "cornice" derives from the Italian cornice, meaning "ledge," which traces back to the Latin coronis and ancient Greek korōnis, referring to a curved line or flourish, reflecting its original role in mimicking the protective eaves of timber roofs.^[25] Structurally, the cornice typically comprises three main components: the bed moulding at the base, the corona in the middle, and the cymatium at the top. The bed moulding, often featuring dentils (small tooth-like blocks) in Ionic and Corinthian orders or mutules (projecting blocks) in Doric, transitions from the frieze below and includes profiles like quarter-rounds or coves separated by fillets.^[26] The corona forms a flat, vertical face that acts as a drip edge, casting a deep shadow to highlight the entablature's divisions.^[27] Topping it is the cymatium, an S-shaped or ogee molding that serves as a gutter-like finish, enhancing the cornice's ornamental flow.^[26] Historically, the cornice evolved from the wooden rafter ends and gutters of early Greek temples in the 7th century BCE, transitioning to stone in the Doric order for durability and grandeur.^[5] Roman architects refined it during the Republic and Empire, incorporating more elaborate carvings and integrating it into civic monuments, as described by Vitruvius in his De Architectura, where he links its form to tectonic origins in roof construction.^[28] In the Doric order, the cornice is relatively simple, with mutules aligned under triglyphs for rhythmic projection, as exemplified in the Parthenon (447–432 BCE).^[24] The Ionic order introduces dentils for a finer texture, complementing volute capitals, while the Corinthian features modillions (brackets) and richer acanthus-inspired detailing, seen in structures like the Arch of Septimius Severus (203 CE).^[27] These variations underscore the cornice's adaptability to each order's character, balancing proportion and visual weight based on human-scale modules.^[5] Beyond its practical role in shielding walls from moisture, the cornice holds symbolic importance, framing the building's "face" and contributing to architectural harmony, as noted by theorists like Alberti, who viewed it as essential for visual splendor and unity.^[28] In non-classical contexts, such as raking cornices on pediments or bracketed forms in later styles, it maintains this crowning function while adapting to diverse materials and scales.^[27]

Entablature in Classical Orders

Doric Order

The entablature in the Doric order represents the simplest and most robust form among the classical architectural orders, emphasizing structural integrity and minimal ornamentation while evoking the origins of wooden construction translated into stone. Originating in ancient Greece around the 7th century BCE, the Doric entablature sits atop sturdy, fluted columns without bases, forming a continuous horizontal band that caps the colonnade. Its design prioritizes proportion and rhythm, with the overall height typically equaling about one-fifth to one-fourth of the column's height, creating a balanced, sturdy appearance suited to temples and public buildings.^[29]^[30] The architrave, the lowest element of the Doric entablature, consists of a plain, unadorned horizontal beam, often stepped in profile without additional moldings to maintain a sense of plain functionality. In Greek examples, it features subtle banding or fascias that align directly with the column capitals, distributing the load evenly. Roman adaptations of the Doric order introduce a single, plain fascia for the architrave, making it slightly more refined but still austere compared to other orders. This simplicity underscores the order's emphasis on strength over decoration.^[30]^[29]^[31] Above the architrave lies the frieze, the defining feature of the Doric entablature, characterized by an alternating pattern of triglyphs and metopes that provides rhythmic visual interest. Triglyphs are rectangular blocks with three vertical grooves (V-shaped channels), symbolizing the ends of wooden beams in archaic construction, positioned directly over the column centers and half-columns at the corners. Metopes, the square panels between triglyphs, are typically plain in early Doric temples but often filled with carved relief sculptures depicting mythological scenes or battles in mature examples. This alternation not only decorates but also reinforces the entablature's structural narrative.^[30]^[29] The cornice crowns the entablature, projecting outward to shelter the structure below and featuring mutules—flat, rectangular blocks spaced above the triglyphs—that recall wooden rafter ends, each adorned with 18 small, cone-shaped guttae resembling pegs or nails from timber prototypes. In Greek Doric, the cornice lacks dentils, maintaining austerity, while Roman versions may incorporate subtle refinements but retain the mutules and guttae for continuity with tradition. The entire entablature's projection and these elements create a shadowed, emphatic top edge, enhancing the temple's monumental presence.^[29]^[30]^[31] Exemplified in the Parthenon (447–432 BCE, Athens), the Doric entablature achieves its iconic form with a frieze of 92 metopes featuring dynamic sculptures, triglyphs aligned precisely over columns, and a cornice that unifies the temple's facade. Roman Doric entablatures, as seen in structures like the Theater of Marcellus (23–13 BCE, Rome), adapt this Greek model with slimmer proportions and added bases, shortening the entablature relative to the column height for more vertical emphasis in urban contexts. These variations highlight the order's enduring adaptability while preserving its core principles of simplicity and proportion.^[30]^[29]^[31]

Ionic Order

The Ionic entablature represents a refined evolution in classical architecture, characterized by its elegant proportions and decorative elements that emphasize grace and intricacy compared to the more robust Doric order. Originating in the Ionian region of Asia Minor during the mid-sixth century BCE, it aligns with the feminine aesthetic Vitruvius attributes to the order, drawing inspiration from the slender and ornate qualities of female attire and proportions.^[23]^[32] The overall height of the Ionic entablature is typically one-quarter that of the column, contributing to the order's slender profile where columns stand nine-and-a-half times their diameter.^[32] The architrave, or epistyle, forms the lowest component and consists of three horizontal bands, or fasciae, each projecting slightly beyond the one below, creating a stepped profile that enhances visual depth without overwhelming the structure.^[32] Above it lies the frieze, a continuous band often adorned with sculptural reliefs, such as processional scenes, which contrasts sharply with the Doric frieze's alternating triglyphs and metopes; this unbroken surface allows for narrative decoration that unifies the facade.^[22] Vitruvius specifies the frieze's height as one module (equal to the column's lower diameter), underscoring its role in balancing ornamentation and structural clarity.^[23] Crowning the entablature, the cornice features prominent dentils—small, tooth-like blocks—that evoke the ends of wooden rafters from earlier building traditions, positioned below a projecting corona and cymatium for added shadow and emphasis.^[23] Unlike the Doric cornice's mutules, the Ionic version prioritizes these dentils for a lighter, more rhythmic appearance, with the entire cornice height measuring about one-and-a-half modules.^[32] This design not only provides protection from the elements but also amplifies the order's decorative sophistication. Prominent examples illustrate the Ionic entablature's application, such as the Erechtheion on the Athenian Acropolis (c. 421–405 BCE), where the frieze's continuous reliefs depict mythological figures, integrating seamlessly with the volute capitals below.^[22] Similarly, the Temple of Athena Nike (c. 427–424 BCE) employs an Ionic entablature with a frieze narrating Nike's victories, its dentilated cornice adding delicacy to the small structure.^[22] In the Roman era, Vitruvius's principles influenced designs like the upper order of the Theater of Marcellus (23–13 BCE, Rome), adapting the entablature for grander scales while preserving its proportional harmony.^[23]^[31]

Corinthian Order

The Corinthian order, the most ornate of the classical architectural orders, features an entablature that emphasizes elegance and intricate decoration, typically proportioned to harmonize with its slender columns. According to Vitruvius in De Architectura (Book IV, Chapter 1), the entablature of the Corinthian order generally follows Ionic proportions, with a sculptured frieze and a cornice incorporating dentils, adapting elements from earlier orders to suit its refined aesthetic.^[23] This structure rests atop columns whose height measures ten times the diameter of the shaft base, making the entablature approximately one-fourth of the total column height, or 2.5 diameters, to maintain visual balance and slenderness.^[2] The architrave in the Corinthian entablature consists of three horizontal bands, or fasciae, often adorned with subtle motifs such as egg-and-dart patterns, providing a smooth transition from the column capitals to the upper elements.^[31] Above it, the frieze serves as the primary decorative band, frequently featuring continuous sculptural reliefs of vegetal motifs, figures, or narrative scenes, which contrast with the metope-triglyph divisions of the Doric order and allow for more fluid, elaborate storytelling in architectural contexts.^[22] The cornice crowns the entablature, projecting outward with modillions—small bracket-like projections—under the soffit, multiple layers of egg-and-dart moldings, and dentil courses, enhancing the sense of height and opulence while protecting the structure below.^[31] Historically, the Corinthian entablature emerged in the late Classical Greek period, around the 5th century BCE, but gained prominence in Roman architecture for its adaptability to monumental and interior spaces. Vitruvius attributes the order's origin to a legendary Corinthian basket overgrown with acanthus leaves, symbolizing its feminine delicacy and profuse ornamentation, which influenced the entablature's decorative emphasis.^[23] A seminal example is the entablature of the Roman Pantheon (c. 126 CE), where the richly carved frieze and modillioned cornice encircle the vast rotunda, demonstrating the order's capacity for grandeur in curved applications.^[22] In later neoclassical contexts, such as the U.S. Capitol's Hall of Columns (completed 1857), the Corinthian order features column capitals incorporating American motifs like thistles and tobacco, lining the corridor while preserving classical proportions for symbolic authority.^[33]

Variations and Non-Classical Applications

Tuscan and Composite Orders

The Tuscan order, a Roman architectural development derived from the Doric but simplified for rustic or utilitarian structures, features an entablature characterized by its unadorned and robust design. The architrave consists of a plain, undivided band without the stepped fascias typical of more ornate orders, emphasizing structural simplicity over decoration.^[2] The frieze is entirely flat and unornamented, lacking triglyphs, metopes, or any sculpted reliefs, which aligns with the order's overall emphasis on plain surfaces.^[31] The cornice, while basic, may include a single band of dentils—small, evenly spaced rectangular blocks—beneath the corona, providing minimal projection and shadow without modillions or elaborate moldings.^[2] In terms of proportions, the Tuscan entablature's total height measures approximately 1.75 times the diameter of the column base, with the column itself standing 7 diameters tall, resulting in a low, sturdy profile suited to wooden or masonry construction.^[31] This configuration, first described by Vitruvius in De Architectura as an Etruscan-influenced form, was later codified during the Renaissance by architects like Andrea Palladio, who specified the entablature height as one-fourth of the column's height using a modular system based on 60 units per diameter.^[34] Palladio's version reduces projections like mutules to 3.75 modules, adapting Vitruvius's wooden beam aesthetics for broader application in large-scale, unpretentious buildings.^[34] Examples include Renaissance villas and colonial American structures, where the entablature's plainness conveys solidity and economy.^[2] The Composite order, an entirely Roman innovation emerging in the 1st century AD, integrates elements of the Ionic and Corinthian orders, resulting in an entablature that mirrors the Corinthian's elaboration while supporting the hybrid capital. The architrave often features multiple fascias with ornamental moldings, such as egg-and-dart patterns, providing a transition from the capital's volutes and acanthus leaves.^[35] The frieze is richly sculpted with continuous figural reliefs or motifs, allowing for narrative decoration akin to triumphal arches, which distinguishes it from the plainer Ionic frieze.^[35] The cornice stands out with its complexity, incorporating dentils, modillions (brackets enriched with acanthus carving), and a projecting cymatium, creating a dramatic overhang that enhances the order's grandeur.^[35] Proportionally, the Composite entablature reaches 2.25 times the column base diameter in height, complementing a column of 10 diameters, making it the tallest and most imposing among classical orders.^[31] This scale, formalized in Renaissance treatises, underscores its use in monumental contexts, differing from the Corinthian by accommodating the capital's larger volutes without altering the entablature's core structure.^[35] Historically, it symbolized Roman imperial victory, as seen in the Arch of Titus (AD 81–82) and the Arch of Septimius Severus (AD 203), where the entablature frames celebratory sculptures atop Composite columns.^[35] In later neoclassical applications, it adorns facades requiring ornate yet unified detailing.^[35]

In Renaissance and Neoclassical Architecture

In the Renaissance, architects revived the classical entablature as a fundamental element of proportional harmony and structural expression, drawing directly from ancient Roman sources like Vitruvius while adapting it to contemporary buildings. Filippo Brunelleschi pioneered its integration in the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo in Florence (1421–1440), where pilasters supporting a simplified entablature emphasized geometric clarity and spatial rhythm, marking an early shift from Gothic fragmentation to classical unity.^[36] Leon Battista Alberti further refined this approach in the Palazzo Rucellai (1446–1451), employing superimposed entablatures across three stories—Doric at the base, Ionic in the middle, and Corinthian at the top—to create a hierarchical facade that mirrored the layered orders of antiquity.^[36] Andrea Palladio's I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura (1570) standardized entablature proportions through detailed surveys of Roman ruins, such as the Basilica of Maxentius and the Temple of Venus Genetrix, establishing canonical dimensions for the Corinthian order that influenced generations of builders across Europe.^[37] Palladio's designs exemplified this revival in practice, as seen in the Villa Rotonda near Vicenza (begun 1567), where a pedimented portico features a precisely proportioned Corinthian entablature—architrave, frieze, and cornice—echoing the Maison Carrée in Nîmes and promoting ideals of symmetry and rustication.^[37] Michelangelo adapted the entablature innovatively in the Palazzo Farnese (1534–1589), introducing a bold frieze with garlands on the piano nobile level to add decorative vigor while maintaining classical restraint, influencing later Mannerist interpretations.^[36] These applications underscored the entablature's role not merely as a supportive beam but as a narrative band, often inscribed or sculpted to convey patronage or humanist themes, bridging antiquity and the emerging rationalism of the period. Neoclassical architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries intensified this revival through heightened archaeological fidelity, spurred by excavations at sites like Pompeii and Herculaneum, resulting in entablatures that adhered more strictly to Greek and Roman prototypes for public monuments and civic buildings.^[38] Thomas Jefferson exemplified this in the University of Virginia's Rotunda and pavilions (1817–1826), where Doric and Ionic entablatures formed a continuous horizontal band across the Lawn, evoking the Pantheon and reinforcing Enlightenment ideals of order and republican virtue.^[39] In Britain, Robert Adam blended neoclassical entablature with lighter ornamentation in Osterley Park House (1761–1780), using delicate modillions and dentils in the Ionic entablature to soften the severity of pure classical forms while preserving proportional accuracy.^[40] American neoclassicism prominently featured entablatures in federal-style structures, such as the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. (1836–1842), designed by Robert Mills, where a Greek Revival Doric entablature crowns colossal columns, symbolizing national stability and drawing from Latrobe's earlier innovations.^[41] In the American South, Drayton Hall near Charleston (1738–1742) incorporated a Doric entablature on its two-story portico, adapted from Roman models to convey planter aristocracy amid the plantation landscape.^[42] These entablatures often extended continuously across facades, with wide friezes for inscription or relief, distinguishing neoclassicism from Renaissance flexibility by prioritizing archaeological precision and monumental scale to evoke democratic antiquity in modern contexts.^[38]

Modern and Contemporary Uses

In postmodern architecture, the entablature was often reinterpreted through playful, eclectic references to classical forms, emphasizing symbolism and color over strict historical accuracy. British architect John Outram frequently incorporated entablatures as symbolic elements in his designs during the 1980s and 1990s. For instance, at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee (1985–1988), a concrete entablature elevates a painted classical landscape motif featuring cypresses, antique fragments, and umbrella pines above Egyptian-scaled columns, blending ancient motifs with modern polychromatic interiors where striped columns support vibrant entablatures under vaulted ceilings.^[43] Similarly, Outram's extension to the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge (1995) features an innovative "entablature of light" and "frieze of shadow," using projected patterns to evoke classical banding in a contemporary academic context.^[44] Contemporary architecture continues to adapt the entablature, often abstracting its components with modern materials to integrate classical proportions into sustainable or functional designs. In the Winery Přátelé Pavlova in the Czech Republic (completed 2022), designed by Atelier Štepán, the structure draws tectonic inspiration from ancient architrave and entablature; cast concrete pillars with limestone admixture support a massive wooden beam forming the entablature, creating a horizontal emphasis that harmonizes with the surrounding vineyards and reflects Mediterranean influences.^[45] Likewise, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill's (SOM) Fort Lauderdale Federal Courthouse in Florida, approved in 2022, employs fluted panels of metal and glass as a contemporary reinterpretation of Corinthian columns and entablature, providing a layered facade that nods to classical grandeur while prioritizing daylighting and energy efficiency in a public civic building.^[46] Beyond large-scale structures, entablatures appear in scaled-down forms in modern residential and interior architecture, enhancing perceived solidity and classical rhythm. In contemporary homes, full entablatures or their components—such as cornices and friezes—are integrated above windows, doors, and fireplaces to add depth and visual weight, mimicking the load-bearing role of traditional beams without structural necessity.^[47] They are also used to frame entire rooms or as mantel surrounds, employing materials like fiberglass or molded plaster for cost-effective replication of ornate profiles in new constructions.^[26] This selective application maintains the entablature's role in articulating horizontal divisions while aligning with minimalist or hybrid styles prevalent in 21st-century design.

References

[1]
Greek Orders and Parts of the Temple
Entablature- the group of horizontal member resting on the columns of the one of the classical orders. It is divided into three parts: architrave, frieze, and ...
[2]
Part 5.1 The Orders – The Design of the Built Environment
The column has three parts: the base, the shaft, and the capital. The entablature also has three parts: the architrave, the frieze, and the cornice (see figure ...
[3]
Entablature in Architecture | Definition & Styles - Study.com
An entablature is a horizontal element that is immediately above the columns of Greco-Roman Classical style buildings or similar structural supports in non- ...
[4]
Entablature - Buffalo Architecture and History
In classical architecture, the top of an Order, horizontally divided into cornice, frieze, and architrave, supported by a colonnade.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[5]
Classical Architectural Design And History: The Entablature
Oct 15, 2025 · The entablature joins the columns to the roof and the rest of a building's structure, while also helping to establish the character and style ...
[6]
Entablature - (Art History I – Prehistory to Middle Ages) - Fiveable
An entablature is a horizontal structure that rests on the columns of a building, typically consisting of three main sections: the architrave, frieze, and ...
[7]
entablature - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
Etymology: 17th Century: from French, from Italian intavolatura something put on a table, hence, something laid flat, from tavola table, from Latin tabula table.<|control11|><|separator|>
[8]
The Entablature Helps You Get That Greek Revival Look - ThoughtCo
Jun 2, 2019 · An entablature is the top part of a building that sits above the columns. Greek Revival architecture uses the entablature in designs, like the ...
[9]
entablature, n. meanings, etymology and more
entablature is a borrowing from Italian. Etymons: Italian intavolatura. See etymology. Nearby entries. ensuring, n.1665; enswamp, v.1702–1821; enswathe | ...
[10]
Entablature - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
word-forming element meaning "in; into," from French and Old French en-, from Latin in- "in, into" (from PIE root *en "in"). Typically assimilated before -p-, - ...
[11]
ENTABLATURE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of ENTABLATURE is a horizontal part in classical architecture that rests on the columns and consists of architrave, frieze, and cornice.
[12]
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grarc/hd_grarc.htm
[13]
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-an-entablature-3953692
[14]
Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture:Architrave
architrave: The lintel or flat horizontal member which spans the space between the columns; in classical architecture, the lowest member of an entablature.
[15]
Doric
### Summary of Architrave in the Doric Order
[16]
The Doric Order - Media Center for Art History - Projects
The projecting, uppermost horizontal member of a classical entablature. ... The middle division of an entablature, between the cornice and the architrave.
[17]
[PDF] THE ARCHITECTURE OF ANCIENT GREECE
Regula.—A narrow strip under the taenia of a Doric architrave,. iDeneath which the guttae are carved. Respond.—(1) The wall pilaster behind a column. (2) The.
[18]
Ionic
The entablature is usually one-quarter the height of the column and has an architrave or epistyle divided into three bands or fasciae, each projecting beyond ...
[19]
Corinthian Capital
### Summary of Architrave in Corinthian Order
[20]
Temple of Mars Ultor: Capitals
The Temple of Mars Ultor's capitals are Corinthian, with unique ornamentation, and are the finest examples of the order, supporting the architrave. Interior ...
[21]
Architecture in Ancient Greece - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The capitals are composed of two parts consisting of a flat slab, the abacus, and a cushionlike slab known as the echinus. On the capital rests the entablature, ...<|separator|>
[22]
Greek architectural orders - Smarthistory
The Doric entablature includes a frieze composed of triglyphs and metopes. The columns are fluted and are of sturdy, if not stocky, proportions.
[23]
LacusCurtius • Vitruvius on Architecture — Book IV
### Vitruvius's Descriptions of the Frieze in Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian Orders (Book IV)
[24]
Can we Trust Palladio? Antoine Desgodetz Details Palladio's ...
Jun 4, 2014 · A defining feature of its entablature is the frieze decorated with carvings of griffins, Roman candlesticks, and acanthus foliage. (Fig. 9) ...
[25]
Palladian Basilica - Buffalo Architecture and History
The Italian Renaissance architect/master builder, Andrea Palladio, 1508-1580 popularized this architectural motif. It is so called the Serlian Motif because ...
[26]
Top 25 Examples of Neoclassical Architecture
May 7, 2022 · There is a coffered ceiling, and an elaborately carved Frieze stretching across the entire drum of the dome. Today the U.S. Capitol Building ...
[27]
Neoclassical Architecture: Everything You Need to Know
Jun 16, 2023 · The Pantheón (Paris, France) An example of temple-style neoclassical architecture, the Pantheón in Paris was designed by Jacques-Germain ...
[28]
Frieze - Designing Buildings Wiki
Jun 21, 2021 · A frieze is a long and narrow sculptural band that runs along the middle of an entablature, used for decorative purposes.
[29]
The Frieze - One of Architecture's Hottest Elements - Laurel Bern
Mar 19, 2023 · The frieze is part of the classical entablature. It's a horizontal element underneath the cornice (crown) and architrave (if there is one) but above a picture ...Missing: applications Renaissance
[30]
For 2025, London's Frieze entrance pavilions flag reuse | Wallpaper*
Oct 17, 2025 · For 2025, London's Frieze entrance pavilions highlight an architecture that is sustainable and modular, centred on reuse.
[31]
Major Elements of Classical Architecture - World History Edu
Jan 10, 2025 · Cornice. A cornice is a projecting ledge or molding that caps the entablature. In classical architecture, the cornice is often elaborately ...
[32]
Cornice - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
Originating in the 1560s from French and Italian, cornice means an ornamental molding along walls or ceilings, derived from Latin and Greek terms for curved ...
[33]
The Magical Entablature - THISisCarpentry
Nov 23, 2012 · The entablature is essentially the horizontal build-up that is supported by the column. It is made up of three parts: the lowest is the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[34]
Cornice - Buffalo Architecture and History
A cornice is decorative trim located at the meeting point between walls and a roof or ceiling. Cornices are used on building exteriors and interiors.
[35]
The Cornice: The Edge of Architecture - Drawing Matter
Feb 21, 2022 · The cornice is often not quite architecture: too decorative, artificial, and always on the verge of escaping the realm of building proper to attach itself to ...
[36]
TYPES & VARIATIONS OF ENTABLATURE IN CLASSICAL ...
Oct 30, 2025 · The Doric column may be simpler than the other orders, but its entablature is quite complex. Its architrave is generally stepped but mostly ...
[37]
Greek architectural orders (article) | Khan Academy
The Doric order is the earliest of the three Classical orders of architecture and represents an important moment in Mediterranean architecture.
[38]
THE ROMAN ORDERS OF ARCHITECTURE EXPLAINED
The Architrave, Frieze and Cornice is common to all of the Classical Orders ... Classical Order as specified by the Roman architect Vitruvius. Does the ...
[39]
Ionic Order
The entablature, which is illustrated above, is usually one-quarter the height of the column and has an architrave or epistyle divided into three bands or ...
[40]
Corinthian Columns | Architect of the Capitol
Corinthian columns are the most ornate, slender and sleek of the three Greek orders.
[41]
[PDF] Palladio's Canonical Orders in the First Book of “I Quattro Libri dell ...
The nature of the capital and of the entablature is not divulged. Palladio mentions in his treatise that his version of the Tuscan order is after Vitruvius.
[42]
THE COMPOSITE ORDER | Chadsworth's 1.800.COLUMNS
Aug 10, 2015 · The Composite Order is classified by slender proportions and has a column height of 10 diameters. The column shaft can either be plain or fluted ...
[43]
19.2: Renaissance Architecture - Humanities LibreTexts
Oct 1, 2024 · During the Renaissance, architects aimed to use columns, pilasters, and entablatures as an integrated system. One of the first buildings to use ...Renaissance Architecture · Background · Forms and Purposes of Buildings
[44]
Palladio's Canonical Corinthian Entablature and the Archaeological ...
Apr 11, 2016 · The smallest size proposed is 34.7 cm, proposed by Howard, Deborah and Longair, Malcolm ('Harmonic Proportions and Palladio's Quattro Libri ', ...
[45]
[PDF] The Neoclassical style
Colonial Architecture,” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Vol. 59, No. 3 (September. 2000). McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to ...
[46]
[PDF] UVA Office of the Architect - The University of Virginia
Encircling the Lawn, the wooden balconies link the grand ensemble of unique brick structures. From any distance, the great band of the entablature combined ...
[47]
“Robert Adam's Neoclassical Chinoiserie” – W86th
The weighty horizontal tablet punctuated by polychrome tiles as entablature and pilaster decoration relates directly to Piranesi's work in England, ...
[48]
Models of Greek Revival Architecture | Greek Ann Arbor
Nov 22, 2016 · The U.S. Treasury Building (1836-42), built by Robert Mills, an architect influenced by Benjamin Latrobe (a great proponent of neoclassical ...
[49]
Drayton Hall, Labor, and Neoclassical Architecture
The laborers built an ordered façade with exterior details, including the Doric entablature copied from the antique, and created interior spaces adorned with ...
[50]
John Outram: the definition of British postmodern architecture
May 6, 2018 · A classical landscape of cypresses, antique fragments and umbrella pines is raised on a concrete entablature above Egyptian-scaled columns.
[51]
Book on postmodernist John Outram captures his eclectic stylings
Jul 14, 2022 · ... Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore. Farrell pointed out that ... The 1995 Judge Institute at Cambridge contains an “entablature of ...
[52]
Winery Přátelé Pavlova / Atelier Štepán - ArchDaily
Nov 17, 2022 · The tectonics of the building is inspired by ancient architrave and entablature. Pillars made of cast concrete with limestone admixture support ...
[53]
SOM's Fort Lauderdale Federal Courthouse receives approval
Feb 9, 2022 · "The courthouse's exterior will consist of fluted panels of metal and glass that are a contemporary interpretation of Corinthian columns and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[54]
For Homes That Look Solid, Entablature Is A Must - Builder Magazine
Jul 11, 2014 · A prime example is the table or beam—the entablature—that goes across the columns and holds up the roof. That bit of depth above the window head ...