Many of our clients confuse pilasters with columns. And that’s perfectly normal! After all, most people don’t deal with architectural terminology on a daily basis.

A pilaster is a flat vertical projection on the wall surface that imitates a column. Essentially, it is a “ghost column” embedded into the wall. It has all the same elements — base, shaft, capital — but it only protrudes from the wall by a third or a quarter of its width.

Historically, pilasters served not only as decorative elements but also had a structural function — reinforcing the wall at points of highest stress. In classical orders, pilasters often “supported” an entablature or a pediment (seems like a good topic for the next explanatory note).

So when are they appropriate in modern architecture? It’s an interesting question we often discuss with colleagues.

Here are a few situations where pilasters can be a great solution:

— When renovating or stylizing historical buildings, pilasters help preserve the authentic character of the facade, even if the interior space is fully modernized.

— In modern minimalist projects, pilasters can be used as a subtle way to add rhythm and vertical articulation to a facade without overloading it with details. We recently completed a project where very shallow pilasters made of light concrete created a barely noticeable play of light and shadow on a monochromatic facade.

— Pilasters can help visually correct the proportions of a building. For a tall narrow house, horizontal articulation and wide pilasters create a sense of stability. Conversely, for a squat building, vertical pilasters add a sense of height.

— An interesting modern technique is using contrasting materials for pilasters. For example, on a plastered facade, pilasters made of clinker brick or natural stone become striking accents.

Have you noticed pilasters on buildings in your city? They are much more common around us than one might think at first glance.

Frontboard — this is a decorative frame of the opening on the façade, window or door. It also has a structural meaning by closing the gap between the wall and the frame.

It can be open, U-shaped, or wrap-around on all four sides.

Each architectural style made its own characteristics in the appearance of the casing. For example, the Baroque style is characterized by platbands with ears and stucco.

For modernism, less opulence, more elegance.

Russian carpentry, beginning in the 15th century, introduces openwork carved casings with abundant ornamentation.

In the conservative version of the English style, the window frames are concise, of light stone on a background of dark brick.

Modern variants of the cashiers can be stylized in different directions, in coated polystyrene foam, fiber concrete, fiberglass, natural stone and etc. are used as materials.

We are working on a project. The façade designs that resonate with the client include the façade styles of half-timbered, Tudor and Provence.

We try on different variations on the house.

The customer opted for a striking look with contrasting half-timbered decor.

What made the facade so evocative? Firstly, the horizontal layout of the decorative cornices; secondly, the treatment of the walls with natural materials in relief; thirdly, the construction of the plinth at different levels.

The most contrasting part of the trim — is the upper, stucco floor with dark wood (half-timber) decoration. On the lower floor, we already used light decors in window frames to make them stand out against the colorful Bavarian masonry tiles. The light color of the stone of the plinth with its interesting pattern makes the house easier to look at individually and as a whole on any floor.

In this project we propose to finish the house with Nichiha panels and Cedral fiber cement siding. The trimmings will be decorative metal inserts with graphic pattern on the bay window.

They capture the eye on the ascetic, monochrome facade and refresh it without overstyling the style.