The nautilus shell was a representation of design across the eras. It basically "shows" how design moved up and out across the decades. An example of this would be columns. They have certainly moved up and out across the decades, and even centuries, as they became grander in size and more keen on detail. Later, they even act as an aid to tell people where to walk depending on where they may be situated. Columns started out somewhat simply in the Grecian and Roman eras (Doric), but even then were quickly evolving. They have continued to evolve and are still used in numerous structures today, both commercially and residentially.
Here we can see the three prototypes set for all columns. Throughout the generations, it is still easy to recognize the different style of column in every structure.
The Parthenon in Athens Greece utilizes the Ionic column.
Trajan's column (wu-wu) in Rome is an example of a very detail oriented Corinthian style column.
The Pantheon in Rome utilizes the Corinthian columns.
We take a slightly different path and look at Cathedrals...
Here, columns are still being used, but are moved to the interior of the structure rather than being a design feature on the exterior.
An interoir view of the cathedral in Salisbury. Columns are used here as ornamentation and to represent the strength of the church.
The cathedral in Florence, the Duomo, uses columns in the same aspect as the cathedral in Salisbury.
Switching gears again, we focus on structures in eastern and western Europe. The columns reappear on the exterior of the structure but tend not to be the "main" focus of the buildings anymore, but rather act as an extra detail.
Palace of Charles V:: Granada, Spain
Villa Rotunda :: Rincenza, Italy
Hardwick Hall :: Chesterfield, England
