Column Positioning for an Entry

Use columns to decorate a grand entry to a building  The center bay of two columns defines the main entry to a building.  For maximum effect position the center columns slightly wider than the other columns in the row.  This give greater prominence to a grand entry. 

 Column Bottom of Shaft:

 A Standard of Measure

       " the module "

 Column Entasis using PHI

Utilizing the golden rule of proportion (PHI), a Tapered column should follow the 1/3rd - 2/3rd rule. The taper starts at the top of the column shaft and graduates down to the 2/3rd mark and then the taper ends to become straight to the bottom of the shaft. This visual distortion follows the natural order of design - It simply look right !

 Design Theory: Tuscan Column Origins

  Source: Definitions by

 Vitruvius Pollio

 1st Centrury BC

 click Drawing to

 Enlarge the PDF

The Tuscan Order of Columns is the simplest of the classical styles originating from the Etruscan community in ancient Italy. The Tuscan Order of Columns stands alone from the three main Classical Greek orders of columns: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Tuscan was created by the Etruscans (6th Century BC).  Tuscan was later adopted as a primary order with the addition of the Composite order bringing the total to 5 orders of columns.

Imperial Productions® offers Tuscan columns with Tapered or Non-Tapered stylus or shafts.  Tapered shafts may have the correct taper or entasis (ie Taper 2/3rds down the stylus from the top. The last third is straight ending at the Tuscan Base. 

Imperial Productions® offers Tuscan columns both load bearing and decorative to wrap a load bearing posts or stand alone engaged against a wall to enhance a building's facade. Add Tuscan columns to legitimize any modern building.

Tuscan Load Bearing Columns support the Entablature of a Classical or Modern structure. Larger diameters can support up to 20,000 lbs without internal supports.

Decorative Tuscan columns can stand alone as a whole column or be specified to be split. Split Tuscan columns can be engaged or placed against a solid wall or specified to be split-to-wrap a load bearing steel or wood post.

Imperial Productions® has a vast selection of Tuscan Columns for commercial, residential, movie, garden and theatre applications. 

 Design Theory: Doric Column Origins

  Source: Definitions by

 Vitruvius Pollio

 1st Centrury BC

 click Drawing to

 Enlarge the PDF

The Doric Order of Columns has it's origins from the Dorian community in Greece during the 5th century. This sophisticated, yet simple Style has a modern appeal.  The capital has a graduated step on the abacus that is above the round echinus.  Doric columns always utilize Attic Bases with two convex Torus and a Square plinth.  In the case of the style Greek Doric there is no base and the column shafts are fluted.

Imperial Productions® offers Doric columns with Tapered or Non-Tapered stylus or shafts.  The shafts can be Fluted or Smooth. Tapered shafts may have the correct taper or entasis (ie Taper 2/3rds down the stylus from the top. The last third is straight ending at the  Attic Bases which is used on all orders except Tuscan. 

Imperial Productions® offers Doric columns both load bearing and decorative to wrap a load bearing posts or stand alone engaged against a wall to enhance a building's facade. Add columns to legitimize any modern building.

Doric Load Bearing Columns support the Entablature of a Classical or Modern structure. Larger diameters can support up to 20,000 lbs without internal supports.

Decorative Doric columns can stand alone as a whole column or be specified to be split. Split Doric columns can be engaged or placed against a solid wall or specified to be split-to-wrap a load bearing steel or wood post.

Imperial Productions® has a vast selection of Doric Columns for commercial, residential, movie, garden and theatre applications.

 Design Theory: Ionic Column Origins 

 Source: Definitions by

 Vitruvius Pollio

 1st Centrury BC

 click Drawing to

 Enlarge the PDF

The Ionic Order of Columns is one of the three main Classical Greek orders of columns: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Ionic always uses an Attic Base.

The Ionic order is typified by the Scrolls (volutes) that resemble a Rams Horn. The scrolls face forward with the sides remaining as an elongated tube. All works well until placement engages a corner, creating a dilemma as to which way to face the volutes.  The Romans created an angled Volute which was typified by Scamozzi in the Renaissance. Scamozzi is an Ionic Capital with 4 scrolls (ie Volutes - a design mimicking a spiral Ram's horn). The style was created by architect Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548 to 1616) and named accordingly referenced in his treatise of 1615.  The design solves the problem of Ionic capitals on the corners of a building whereby the tubular Ionic volutes on the sides extend from the front to the back of the capital making it difficult to complete a corner. With 4 volutes, the capitals transcend from the front to the sides of the building with ease.

Imperial Productions® offers Ionic columns with Tapered or Non-Tapered stylus or shafts.  The shafts can be Fluted or Smooth. Tapered shafts may have the correct taper or Entasis (ie Taper 2/3rds down the stylus from the top. The last third is straight ending at the Attic Base which is used on all orders except Tuscan. 

Imperial Productions® offers Ionic columns both load bearing and decorative to wrap a load bearing posts or stand alone engaged against a wall to enhance a building's facade.

Ionic Load Bearing Columns support the Entablature of a Classical or Modern structure. Larger diameters can support up to 20,000 lbs without internal supports.

Decorative Ionic columns can stand alone as a whole column or be specified to be split. Split Ionic columns can be engaged or placed against a solid wall or specified to be split-to-wrap a load bearing steel or wood post.

Imperial Productions® has a vast selection of Ionic Columns for commercial, residential, movie, garden and theatre applications. 

 Design Theory: Corinthian Column Origins

  Source: Definitions by

 Vitruvius Pollio

 1st Centrury BC

 Enlarge the PDF

The Corinthian Order of Columns is one of the three main Classical Greek orders of columns: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.  Corinthian always uses an Attic Base. The Corinthian order is typified by the Acanthus leaves with a Fleuron or Flower in the center of the Abacus. The entablature has modillion blocks, dentil and egg and dart mouldings.

Imperial Productions® offers Corinthian columns with Tapered or Non-Tapered stylus or shafts.  The shafts can be Fluted or Smooth. Tapered shafts may have the correct taper or entasis (ie Taper 2/3rds down the stylus from the top. The last third is straight ending at the Attic Base which is used on all orders except Tuscan. 

Imperial Productions® offers Corinthian columns both load bearing and decorative to wrap a load bearing posts or stand alone engaged against a wall to enhance a building's facade. Add columns to legitimize any modern building.

Corinthian Load Bearing Columns support the Entablature of a Classical or Modern structure. Larger diameters can support up to 20,000 lbs without internal supports.

Decorative Corinthian columns can stand alone as a whole column or be specified to be split. Split Corinthian columns can be engaged or placed against a solid wall or specified to be split-to-wrap a load bearing steel or wood post.

Imperial Productions® has a vast selection of Corinthian Columns for commercial, residential, movie, garden and theatre applications. 

 Design Theory: Composite Column Origins

  Source: Definitions by

 Vitruvius Pollio

 1st Centrury BC

 click Drawing

 Enlarge the PDF

The Composite Order of Columns is a combination of the Ionic and Corinthian orders used in Ancient Rome's most important buildings. Composite uses an Attic Base. The Composite has the angled Volutes like the Scamozzi (Ionic) capital mounted on top of a Corinthian capital typified by Acanthus leaves with a central Fleuron or Flower on the Abacus. The entablature has modillion blocks, dentil and egg and dart mouldings.  The Frieze area has a Rinceau pattern. 

Imperial Productions® offers Composite columns with Tapered or Non-Tapered stylus or shafts.  The shafts can be Fluted or Smooth. Tapered shafts may have the correct taper or entasis (ie Taper 2/3rds down the stylus from the top. The last third is straight ending at the Attic Base which is used on all orders except Tuscan. 

Imperial Productions® offers Composite columns decorative only to wrap a load bearing posts or stand alone engaged against a wall to enhance a building's facade.

Decorative Composite columns can stand alone as a whole column or be specified to be split. Split Composite columns can be engaged or placed against a solid wall or specified to be split-to-wrap a load bearing steel or wood post.

Imperial Productions® has a vast selection of Composite Columns for commercial, residential, movie, garden and theatre applications. 

  How to Order Products  1-800-399-7585     +1-416-264-6096  

  email: sales@imperialproductions.com

  * All Prices & specifications in this website subject to change without notice

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  * Measurements are approximate only, Final Product may vary from this website

   COPYRIGHT  MRDCI Martin Richards Design and Contracting Inc, Martin Richards DesignTM 

     and Imperial Productions®                                                        Feb 2018  all rights reserved

   Last Update OCT-25