- Quadrant (architecture)
[
corps de logis ofKedleston Hall ]Quadrant in architecture refers to a curve in a wall or a vaulted ceiling. Generally considered to be an arc of 90 degrees - one quarter of a circle, or a half of the more commonly seen architectural feature - a crescent.
The quadrant curve in architecture was a feature popularised by
Palladio who used it often for the wings and colonnades which linked his classical style villas to their service wings andout-buildings . However, curved quadrant buildings should not be confused with the canted facades ofBaroque architecture or the slightly curved buildings of the era such as theQuattro Canti inPalermo .The quadrant vault, a feature of Tudor architecture, is a curving interior - a continuous arc usually of brick, as seen in a
tunnel - as opposed to a ribbed vault where a framework of ribs or arches supports the curves of the vault. A quadrant arch was often employed inRomanesque architecture to provide decorative support, as seen in theflying buttress es ofNotre-Dame de Chartres built in the second half of the 12th century.During the 18th century, the quadrant once again became a popular design shape for the terraces of smart houses in fashionable
spa town s such asBuxton .Henry Currey 's "Quadrant", built to rival the architecture of Bath, is considered one of Buxton's finest buildings.References
*Jackson-Stops, Gervase (1990). "The Country House in Perspective". Pavilion Books. ISBN 1-85145-383-0.
* [http://www.uky.edu/Classes/A-H/323/restricted/terms.htm#v A Working Glossary of Architectural Terms,Techniques and Structural Elements] retrieved 17 October 2007
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