hypostyle hall

hypostyle hall
Imposing interior space with a flat roof that rests on many rows of columns.

The design allows for the construction of large spaces without arches. It was used extensively in ancient Egypt (e.g., Temple of Amon at Karnak) and Persia. The elaborately carved pillars consumed much of the floor space and therefore assumed great importance. Hypostyles are rarely seen in more recent architecture because of more effective means of roof support.

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      in architecture, interior space whose roof rests on pillars or columns. The word means literallyunder pillars,” and the design allows for the construction of large spacesas in temples, palaces, or public buildingswithout the need for arches. It was used extensively in ancient Egyptwhere the Temple of Amon at Karnak provides a good exampleand in Persiawhere the ruins at Persepolis give evidence of outstanding examples of hypostyle construction.

      Although the multiple, usually large, pillars naturally consumed much of the floor space of such halls, this drawback was turned to advantage when the columns were carved with heroic or religious motifs. The design has rarely been used in more recent architecture because of more effective means of roof support.

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  • Hypostyle hall —     In the Egyptian temple, the pylon (gateway) gave access to open courts behind which lay one or two roofed and pillared halls, which provided a processional route to the sanctuary.     Egyptologists use the term hypostyle halls , from the… …   Ancient Egypt

  • hypostyle hall —    In architecture, a hall with a roof supported by columns; applied to the colonnaded hall of the Egyptian pylon temple …   Glossary of Art Terms

  • Great Hypostyle Hall, Karnak — The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak, located within the Karnak temple complex, in the Precinct of Amon Re, is one of the most visited monuments of Ancient Egypt. The hall covers an area of convert|50000|sqft|m2| 3|abbr=on. The roof, now fallen,… …   Wikipedia

  • Hypostyle — In architecture, a hypostyle hall has a flat ceiling which is supported by columns, as in the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. In this case the columns flanking the central avenue are of greater height than those of the side aisles, and this… …   Wikipedia

  • hypostyle — /huy peuh stuyl , hip euh /, Archit. adj. 1. having many columns carrying the roof or ceiling: a hypostyle hall. n. 2. a hypostyle structure. [1825 35; < Gk hypóstylos resting on pillars, equiv. to hypo HYPO + stylos STYLE2] * * * …   Universalium

  • hypostyle — /ˈhaɪpəstaɪl/ (say huypuhstuyl) adjective 1. having many columns carrying the roof or ceiling: a hypostyle hall. –noun 2. a hypostyle structure. {Greek hypostȳlos resting on pillars} …  

  • hall — /hawl/, n. 1. a corridor or passageway in a building. 2. the large entrance room of a house or building; vestibule; lobby. 3. a large room or building for public gatherings; auditorium: convention hall; concert hall. 4. a large building for… …   Universalium

  • Hall — /hawl/, n. 1. Asaph /ay seuhf/, 1829 1907, U.S. astronomer: discovered the satellites of Mars. 2. Charles Francis, 1821 71, U.S. Arctic explorer. 3. Charles Martin, 1863 1914, U.S. chemist, metallurgist, and manufacturer. 4. Donald, born 1928,… …   Universalium

  • Hypostyle — Hy po*style, a. [Gr. ? resting on pillars; ? under + ? a pillar.] (Arch.) Resting upon columns; constructed by means of columns; especially applied to the great hall at Karnak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Islamic arts — Visual, literary, and performing arts of the populations that adopted Islam from the 7th century. Islamic visual arts are decorative, colourful, and, in religious art, nonrepresentational; the characteristic Islamic decoration is the arabesque.… …   Universalium

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