Friday, May 6, 2016

The Best Example of Doric Architecture





As of late, The Conco Companies have been busy working on several modern day wonders such as providing concrete services on the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco and the Wilshire Grand Center in downtown Los Angeles.  Both buildings are slated to become the tallest structures in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River.  This has revived our interest in many of the architectural marvels built in ancient times.


We know that the three main orders of classical Greek architecture, the Doric, the Ionic and the Corinthian influenced Roman architectural styles as well as those of the Renaissance Period.  In addition it has continued to inspire many of our modern day structures. 


As to one of the best examples of Doric order architecture (featuring heavy fluted columns with plain, saucer-shaped capitals and no base), most experts agree that it would be the Temple of Zeus.  Built in the ancient city of Olympia, it was located in the Altis sanctuary and constructed between 472 and 456 BC.  The purpose of the temple was to house one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the great statue of Zeus. 


The architect on the project was Libon of Elis, who designed the Temple with an east-west orientation and in a “peripteral hexastyle with thirteen columns along the sides.”  Each column, constructed from local shell-limestone and covered in white stucco, was more than 32 ft. high and had a base almost 7.5 ft. in diameter.  The Temple’s roof tiles, pedimental sculptures and lion’s head water spouts were made of marble.  


The interior chamber of the Temple (the cella) was separated into three naves by two double rows of seven columns.  The statue of Zeus sat at the far end of the cella and was believed to be approximately 40 ft. tall.  What we know about the statue is that Zeus was holding a scepter in his left hand and a winged Victory in his right. 


Another architectural detail was in the east gable that had an inscribed block, which supported a gold shield in commemoration of the Spartan’s victory at Tanagra. The Temple of Zeus was badly damaged by fire in 436 AD and completely destroyed by a series of earthquakes in 551 and 552 AD.   


The Conco Companies are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the complete concrete package for the Levi’s Stadium along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.
Source: olympia-greece.org/templezeus.html    

No comments:

Post a Comment