Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Hypostyle Hall



Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Amen-Re, Karnak, Dynasty XIX, 1275-1225 B.C.
Hypostyle Hall: "In Egyptian architecture, a hall with a roof supported by columns." (Gardner)

This style of hall is the original "light at the end of the tunnel". In the architectural world, it's known that people like to have light to walk towards... as humans, we are attracted to light. In an elongated hallway like this one, it demonstrates the notion of the horizontal and vertical narrowing as a person walks through the hall. It is lit only by a clerestory and openings in it allow light to enter. This is an ingenius design, as light has always been tricky in a large (or small) structure. Roman and Medieval architects used this design, as we still do in the modern world.

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