Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Pilaster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A pilaster, as used in architecture, is a slightly-projecting column built into or onto a wall. A pilaster is a flattened or abbreviated column that can appear with a capital and entablature, also in "low-relief" or flat against the wall. The pilaster is an architectural element in classical architecture and is used to give the appearance of a supporting column, with only an ornamental function. In contrast, an engaged column or buttress can support the structure of a wall and roof above. [1]
Pilasters often appear on the sides of a door or window opening on the facade of a building, and are sometimes paired with square or round columns set at some distance away from the wall that support a roof structure above, such as a portico. These vertical elements can also be used to support a recessed archivolt around a doorway. The pilaster can be replaced by ornamental brackets supporting the entablature or a balcony over a doorway.
A pilaster can have a simple rectangular profile (cross section) or can be ornamented in one of the styles of the classical orders, appearing in the giant order as two-story tall, fluted columns. The fashion of using this element from Ancient Greek and Roman architecture was adopted in the Italian Renaissance and later Greek Revival architecture.
- Archivolt
- Buttress
- Post and lintel
- Engaged column
- Classical architecture
- List of classical architecture terms
Pilaster (civil Engr) a vertical rectangular member that is structurally a pier, and architecturally a column. Pilasters are used to decrease the slenderness ratio for the height of masonary walls - L/R<120.
- ^ Mark Jarzombek, “Pilaster Play” Thresholds 28 Concerto Barocco, Essays dedicated to Henry Millon (Winter 2005), 34-41.
- Dictionary of Ornament by Philippa Lewis & Gillian Darley (1986) NY: Pantheon
 Simple wood pilaster surrouding a blue door |
