International studio (51.1913/1914)

A Rebel in the Architects Camp


Patented April-May, 1913. All rights reserved by Alexander A. Cantin
COLUMN-ARCHITRAVE AND PERFORATED CORNICE DESIGNS

deniable fact invites reflection. It seems a safe
hypothesis, therefore, that they deemed such a
combination as unfinished and, consequently, in-
artistic in design. Of course it is to Italy that
we must turn to judge the merits and demerits of
past and present style. Past-style arcades betray
unfinished structure, lacking in cohesion between
column and archivolt; the observer feels a sense
of unrest in facing the arch moldings dead ending
upon the top of the abacus. The addition of
bolsters and entablatures between the top of the
column and the archivolt lends no beauty to the
combination nor truth to the construction.
A most prominent defect in the old arcade is the
overhanging of the angles of the archivolt over

the periphery of the col-
umn, by which a clumsy
appearance is obtained,
and a fear that the arch
may crush the abacus.
It would be impossible
in this short article to go
any length in pointing out
technical refinements in-
volved; suffice it to say
that in the new-style arch
and column the above-
mentioned defects are eli-
minated and the beauty
and finish of the capital
enhanced by the proper
termination of the archi-
volt moldings upon the
column shaft. This new-
style architecture should
particularly commend it-
self to architects and sculp-
tors alike, as it offers such
splendid opportunities of
design and permits them
to impress their personal-
ity upon a structure, mak-
ing it more symbolic of its
purpose and more impres-
sively beautiful than is
possible with any other
style. Then, again, it
would give immense scope
in group designing of col-
umns; magnificent effects
could be assured by differ-
ent colored marbles being
used for capital and shaft.
Such a colored combination
is of immense importance and quite out of the
question in old-style architecture.
The most notable feature is the placing of
statues upon consoles in the panels of the capitals,
by which means both interiors and exteriors of
structure can be enriched. Here again architect
and sculptor can cooperate, as in theatre foyers
and lobbies; public halls and vestibules, too, lend
themselves to the most varied treatment, and may
thus win fresh interest in the eyes of the visitor.
At present, outdoor statues are too high to be
admired properly, and are soon disfigured by
exposure, but if placed about the column capital in
the new style these objections would automatically
vanish. Take, for instance, ajnodern ball room,

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