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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Twisted columns

Have you Atlantans seen these? Do you know where they are? I've driven by for decades without noticing. They don't reveal much when I'm driving by at 30 mph.

I'm learning to enjoy them, particularly how the shadows play during the day.
P1000460-2010-01-28-Emory-Rollins-PubHealth-Twisted-Columns-2-col-Detail

AKA: helical columns, Solomonic columns, Barley-sugar columns, or twisted columns. It's an old idea. Trajan's Column is decorated with a helical band though the column itself doesn't twist. Bernini's (and Borromini, et al) baldachin in St. Peter's with it's twisted columns is among the most stunning works in the west.

I'm happy to see the tradition continue in my neighborhood.

P1000460-2010-01-28-Emory-Rollins-PubHealth-Twisted-Columns-Detail

They make a half twist, or do they?

P1000460-2010-01-28-Emory-Rollins-PubHealth-Twisted-Columns

Thanks,
Terry
terry @ surf303.com
at

5 comments:

  1. JamesJanuary 30, 2010 at 9:37 AM

    Interesting. I don't believe I've seen those unless that's the condos/lofts on Glen Iris that were built a couple years ago. They have a similar color palette in the materials.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pam KerstingJanuary 30, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    Love those shadows! What depth those columns add to the facade!

    ReplyDelete
  3. TerryJanuary 30, 2010 at 9:48 PM

    Pam, I realized too late that the eastern side absolutely spectacular shadows in the morning. My pictures are of the south side showing just one set of east columns in the light. I just get back there at the right time of the day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CharityJanuary 31, 2010 at 8:09 PM

    I love visiting your site and seeing my town though your eyes. You always make me think.

    Cha Cha

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thomas DFebruary 27, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    terry i'm an architecture student and i would love to know where these magnificent columns stand and who build them ?
    thank you.
    Greetings, Thomas Dewaele

    ReplyDelete