Ep2: The Rails of Time and History

💌 brand:/สวนอุตสาหกรรมเครือสหพัฒน์ - ศรีราชาA railing is one of the architectural elements that most clearly reflects human artistic, material and engineering changes; railing design has traveled through various important periods as follows:

The Ancient Period: Foundations from Stone and Wood

Numerous historical evidence indicates that humans began building staircases as early as prehistoric times, using rock cutting and stacking to connect different levels of space, such as the stone staircase at Tarxien Temple in Malta built around 3,600-2,500 BC. In the early days, staircases were built primarily for safety purposes, using natural materials like stones and wood that were easily available locally.

Later, in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, the concept of balustrades was elevated, and they began to be used to decorate temples, palaces, and public spaces. Although still a safety element, they were elaborately created with stone carvings in various patterns. This concept marks the origin of the word "Balustrade," which refers to a baluster lined up in rows. This early journey shows a transition from use to "function" alone, to the integration of "beauty," which has driven balustrade design to the present day.

The Renaissance and the Baroque: When the Balustrade is a Work of Art

After the Dark Ages, the balustrades became prominent again in the Renaissance (Renaissance), influenced by ancient Greek and Roman design principles that emphasized symmetry and balance. The balustrades of this era were therefore simple but elegant in appearance with balanced lines. The preferred materials were marble and wrought iron, reflecting the wealth of the elite of the period.

In contrast, the subsequent Baroque period brought a different concept; the balustrades of this period emphasized magnificent, elaborate, and complex curves, including elaborate carvings, as evidenced by the splendor of the balustrades in the Palace of Versailles; the emergence of iron casting and bending techniques enabled artisans to create complex patterns beyond traditional stone or wood carving; the transition of this era was not only an artistic change, but also an expression of the economic growth and power of a society that wanted to openly express its wealth through architecture.