My understanding is that Andreas Palladio (the 16th-century Italian architect), first codified the aspect ratios (ratio of height to width) of windows and doors, so as to have the most esthetically pleasing look. Are these stanards universal? Also, I seem to know right away when the proportions look wrong-do most people like the same aspect ratios? I think part of most people’s revulsion of modern architecture, stems from these proportions being wrong-any comments?
Doors etc have been roughly the same size in many buildings since, uh, forever… was it Archimedes who already defined “regular proportions” in terms of human size (“normal” ratio of body to legs, extended arms same length as body height, etc.)?
Palladio may have systematized it, but I’ve been in houses built BC that had doors and windows roughly the same proportions as modern ones.
No. Some aspect ratios are more popular than others but none are universal; not even the rectangular shape is universal. Just go to your nearest hardware mega-store (such as a Home Depot or Lowe’s) and notice the variety of door dimensions. The differences are often slight and not always visually apparent at a glance; for example, an 80" X 30" interior door looks a lot like a 80" X 29½" door of the same design.
-AC
Since you are an architect, can you answer another question? Did the BAUHAUS architects use the same aspect ratios as palladio, in the houses they designed? I have noticed that i don’t like very tall/narrow windows. i think Frank llody Wright got his windoews right-his "Winslow House’ is an absolute masterpiece!
Do most architects (today) follow Palladio’s formulas?