The Classical System of Building - Part 2

Brent dives deeper into the classical system laying out the history and 3 quick fixes for building better: Entasis in columns- meanings columns should taper. How to use dentils, where they go and their size. Then finally, the beam vs column placement and size. Brent also breaks out of how moldings change based on the size of the room. And a quick system for laying out the moldings in a room.
A great book on classical architecture is by Robert Adam. Here is a link to the book on my Amazon associates site: amzn.to/3t6nhp1
Hull Millwork

[@maryefern]

Thank you for explaining the 8 ft room scenario. I never would have thought to put the chair rail so low. This is very helpful for understanding how to decorate a newer home using historic styles!

[@BrentHull]

Cool. Thanks for watching.

[@richardguimond1087]

The past of tried and true will never be replaced by technology nowadays.... True blessing from the craftsman of our prior

[@BrentHull]

Agreed. Thanks.

[@corcoransullivan1562]

Great stuff, very interesting for a carpenter. Thank you!

[@BrentHull]

Glad you liked it!

[@2857steve]

"I got an awesome tablesaw." That's the understatement of the century. I told my friend while we were watching a different video, "holy smokes he got an Altendorf!" I am sooo jealous.

[@BrentHull]

Haha, well true. the perks of woodworking.

[@carmencolon3520]

I just want to take a notebook and pen to begin studying my home. Its amazing how your explanation make us think twice.

[@BrentHull]

I'm so glad! Let me know what you learn!

[@joshuahutchinson5962]

I cant thank you enough. I have an insatiable thirst for learning, especially within my passion for construction and craftsmanship. I really get my fix here.

[@BrentHull]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching.

[@kristinwalden43]

Thank you so much for creating these! Your enthusiasm shines through and is contagious. Looking forward to learning all I can from your videos

[@BrentHull]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@piggly-wiggly]

This is really fascinating and provocative, too, because we can’t talk to those who first started working through all this. We know that stone construction followed wood construction and that, as usually happens, started out replicating older forms. But it’s not just aesthetics, it’s also engineering. Where’s the line between what’s driven by human proportions, by span and load-bearing requirements, and by adherence to prior wood building traditions?

[@BrentHull]

Great question. I think the eye recognizes that line. It follows rules of beauty and scale. IMHO

[@adamr1637]

You are a gifted teacher. Excellent presentation.

[@BrentHull]

Thank you! 😃 I'm glad it was helpful.

[@Hawking1969]

this is great stuff!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching.

[@LuisSanchez-wf9zw]

👏 awesome video. Thank you for sharing this info and passing on the information forward so these principles get used properly by designers, architects and contractor/builders.

[@BrentHull]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@alexanderclaylavin]

I am tuned in Sir. Your scholarship shines through in these inspiring videos.

[@BrentHull]

Wow. thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@iamtheuse6321]

Thank you for this, so many times I look at a house or building and something feels wrong. This is very helpful in understanding scale.

[@BrentHull]

You are so welcome!

[@sailorjerry45]

Is this the kind of stuff I would find in a school of architecture? Or is this pretty specialized stuff? I love it. Great work!

[@BrentHull]

Only in a classical program like at Notre Dame. Most modern schools would not teach this stuff. Glad you like it!

[@sailorjerry45]

@@BrentHull that’s unfortunate to hear. Keep up the good work. Would love to see more about kitchens. Cheers from a cabinet maker and master builder in training from Kansas City!

[@jelsner5077]

When I watch your videos, I think just maybe there's hope for us. You're like a neo Renaissance. It's shameful that they don't teach classicism today, if only for a basic background.

[@BrentHull]

I agree. Its a shame. Thanks for watching.

[@g.calebadams9396]

Really enjoy these videos! Watching for the rest of the series. You could easily make your own Masterclass type class on all this! Any recommendations on print or PDF material for learning this?

[@BrentHull]

Maybe one day! That's the goal. A good book, Get Your House Right. Has a lot of great details like this. FYI

[@richardbaker1355]

I second this, soaking up all this info! Thanks for your work

[@elliot8489]

How do you come up with the diameter of the column when building a new build

[@BrentHull]

The quick rule of thumb is an 8' column should have 8" diameter. 10' = 10" That is the diameter at the base of the column not the top. Also, if you want a stronger column go an inch or 2 bigger. Columns must have Entasis- which is a taper in size. Thanks.

[@jennafarrell4755]

Brent, is there ever justification to use perfectly square columns on a craftsman style house with no tapering of the columns? I don’t think the columns on my 1928 are original as they are square all the way to the top.

[@BrentHull]

Not typically. And i can't remember seeing any. But Classically square columns are called Piers. FYI>

[@jennafarrell4755]

@@BrentHull so what you are saying is there IS historic precedent for classically square piers is what I am gathering. How does one determine the proper width of that pier? They were rebuilt at some point 14 inches wide on a 17 inch square brick base with a 20 inch wide cap on it. We just moved the house and I have to re-design the porch and make sure it’s correct.

[@scotspratt6338]

If you reduced the number of times you use the word "right" it would be a much better video. Right?, otherwise I think you are discussing the reason for the lack of descent architecture in the US today.

[@BrentHull]

Noted, working on it. And yes, this is an old way of building that we have forgotten how to use. Thanks for the feedback.

[@bighands69]

@Scot Spratt It is not just America it is the whole of the western world. You can see some horrendous buildings in continental europe. Things so hideouts that the human mind simply cannot fathom such expression.