In traditional architecture, corners of buildings needed additional support, achieved with ashlar blocks. Quoins deflected and distributed weight, creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Modern architecture rarely uses functional ashlar, but decorative ashlars are popular for their old-world feel. They must be designed by architects with foresight and cannot be added after construction. Stucco ashlars are an example of evenly colored ashlars that can be added to finished corners with prepared grooves.
In traditional Georgian and Roman architecture, before the advent of modern housing support infrastructure, the corners of buildings often needed additional support to support the weight of multiple storeys and stone roofs. This was especially true of castles and major medieval and Victorian estates and cathedrals. The architects commissioned to construct such buildings often achieved corner support with the use of ashlar. An ashlar is a block, usually of stone or brick, which is placed on the corner joint between load-bearing walls. The ashlars typically protrude from the corner but can also be inlaid, and in any case give a variegated, almost striped appearance to the corner of a building.
Quoins have had a very important role to play in traditional architecture. They deflected and distributed weight, relieving pressure on the stone walls between which they sat. Without them, the walls would have been unlikely to be structurally sound, and many would have collapsed before construction was even completed.
The result was also aesthetically pleasing, as they created a unique visual diversion and a sense of depth and interest. The use of rock and ashlar stones quickly became synonymous with nobility and wealth. Most houses occupied by peasants and commoners were too small to require ashlar backing, and architectural services were never cheap.
Modern architecture in the West continues to embrace the aesthetic elements of ashlar, although the use of ashlar is now very rarely functional. Modern architectural techniques allow walls and buildings to be supported internally without additional corner supports. Furthermore, 21st century homes and buildings are rarely, if ever, made entirely of stone.
Although countries like the United States, Australia and Canada have never known truly ancient buildings or resident gentry, the architectural preferences of these bygone beings continue to fascinate homeowners and business developers in these markets. Decorative ashlars can be seen on homes and office buildings around the world. They are generally believed to lend class and an old-world feel to buildings, especially those made of stone or brick.
However, decorative ashlars must be designed by architects with a little foresight. With few exceptions, ashlars cannot be added to a building after construction. A decorative brick or limestone ashlar is inlaid into the original structure or facade as a structural support, but usually not to the depth or extent of a functional ashlar.
Often the ashlars are highlighted by the use of brick or stone in a color that contrasts with the rest of the wall. However, evenly colored ashlars also give a unique and remarkable appearance. Stucco ashlars are an example of ashlars that are almost always the same color as the rest of the structure. Stucco ashlars are usually affixed to the outside of an already finished corner, but are typically anticipated by prepared grooves and entrances introduced during construction. Sometimes stucco ashlars can be added to buildings that weren’t designed with ashlars in mind, but this is usually not recommended.
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